I went for a walk with my puppy this morning. You wouldn’t think that’s big news, but it is.

It’s really hard for me to share my deepest, darkest stuff with you all, but that’s why I started this blog. I want to be real and honest – with the hopes that it helps someone else. So, here goes…

Getting Real with My Own Struggles

I’ve struggled with depression and insomnia my whole life. Recently, after a long conversation with my doctor, he finally diagnosed me with an atypical form of bipolar disorder. That was a hard thing to hear. Somehow, it feels like everyone knows what depression is and can relate to it at least at some level. But “bipolar” sounds like something bigger to people. In my (very lucky) case, it really just means a different kind of medication that actually allows me to sleep most of the time these days, which is some kind of miracle, let me tell you!

Trust me, I count my blessings every day, because I know it could be so much worse. I am completely functional. I get done what needs to be done. I am so lucky. Lots of people out there are dealing with far worse than I am, and their struggles far outweigh my own. My heart goes out to them, to you, to anyone struggling with mental health issues.

I still have my moments, though. When I am depressed, I have zero energy, all I want to do is sleep and eat, and even getting myself to do the littlest things feels like I’m gearing up for a marathon. I get anxious because I am not getting the things done that I feel like “have to” be done, and then my depression gets worse because I feel like a giant, horrible failure.

Lately I’ve been in a particularly fun (I wish there was a sarcasm font!) cycle of depression and anxiety. It’s probably because my world is a little upside down. Not terrible. Just up in the air with no way of knowing what’s next. Life has been like that for a few months too many and it’s started to wear me down.

Taking the First Step

It may sound a little weird, but I see a lot of parallels between positive reinforcement dog training and self-care. You know all that talk about setting up training plans? I think that the hardest part is getting started. It’s hard to know where to start, but once you get going, you get momentum. Same with getting yourself back up when you’ve slipped into a depression – taking that first step is the hardest.

Today, my first step was to put my workout clothes on and go for a walk with my puppy. That was the goal I set for myself last night when I was headed to bed, and this morning I did it! Now I know that tomorrow morning, I can do it again. It wasn’t that bad. In fact, it was awesome. It made my whole day better. Exercise and time with a pup are pretty amazing cures for what ails me!

In dog training, you can set up the most beautiful, effective training plan, but you have to take that first step. It might mean it’s time to lure your puppy into a sit, click it, and treat. It might mean that you teach your reactive dog to just look at you and get rewarded for it. That first step is so simple, but can be so daunting. Just do it! Then you’ll have a building block to start your foundation of awesome behaviors.

Take it in Small Steps

Once you have that one building block down, keep thinking in small steps, one day at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed by the big picture. The training plan is there to help you keep on track, not be some giant albatross hanging around your neck, weighing you down.

I need to lose a ton of weight, get in shape, teach my dogs a million things, grow my business, and figure out my life. Holy sh** is that overwhelming. But if I can take a small step every day I can get there. I can drink more water today. I can go for another walk tomorrow morning. I can spend five minutes each training a couple of my dogs today. I can announce my training business (coming soon!).

If you are feeling “holy sh** overwhelmed” by everything you need to teach your dog, make the plan, but then take the first step. Take a breath and just commit to 5 minutes of training.

And if you need help, watch my Northwest Paws website or Facebook page for some unique training services I will be offering soon! I am so excited to be in a place where I can help you. That’s one of my great joys in life – helping others and celebrating their successes with them!

Your Turn: What first step do you need to take? Can you commit just five minutes to lay that first building block? I know you can do it! If I can, you can.

Laurel Horton is the owner and trainer for Northwest Paws, located in Eugene, Oregon. You can see services offered here or contact her at laurel@northwestpaws.com.