In an honest and candid feature forESSENCE, Jackson, 52, says that shes no expert on happiness.
I have only my life experience as a guide, she writes.
I’ve known great happiness and great sadness.
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But I guess the key question is, ‘What do I really know about happiness?'"
In the article, Jackson revealed that shes experienced depression at several points in her life.
“I struggled with depression.
It could relate to failing to meet impossibly high standards.
And of course there are always the societal issues of racism and sexism.
Put it all together and depression is a tenacious and scary condition.
Thankfully, I found my way through it.”
Jackson also talks about struggling withbody imageas a child.
“I wasn’t happy with the way I looked.
For most of my life, that lack of happiness followed me,” shesaid.
“I wish someone had said, ‘You look fine.
Being a little chubby is the least important thing in the world.
Enjoy running and laughing and playing.
Stop looking in the mirror and comparing yourself to others.”
But, she says, those negative feelings kept resurfacing when she was an adult.
“Happiness was elusive.
A reunion with old friends might make me happy.
A call from a colleague might make me happy.
But because sometimes I saw my failed relationships as my fault, I easily fell into despair.”
Now, Jackson says that shes found joy in motherhood.
“When I kiss him.
When I sing him softly to sleep.
During those sacred times, happiness is everywhere.
Happiness is in gratitude to God.
In general, people become more sensitive to stressors in their environment over time, he explains.
Its fairly common, Dr. Klemanski says.
Understanding your triggers and the symptoms you tend to experience when youre depressed is important, Klemanski says.
If you might identify what might be bringing depression on, thats the key, he says.
Meaning, it requires maintenance, even when things are going well.
Thats why Klemanski recommends checking in with a professional if youre having a hard time.
You dont have to do it alone, he says.
