My name is Catherine and I began this project in 2009 after a daunting series of major life changes. Depression and anxiety hit pretty hard and a therapist gave me the most daunting prescription of my life "take care of yourself." How hard can it be? It was bloody hard. I couldn't think of anything to make my situation better. Nothing seemed enough and I felt quite hope-less.
Shortly afterward I had a major breakthrough. In response to a caustic email I shut my office door and then threw myself on the floor and pummelled my fists. SNAP. I realised taking care of myself was not going to involve finding one major thing to transform my life - it was going to involve thousands of little steps forward.
At that moment I grabbed a piece of paper off my desk (a building security ticket that gets put in my front door everyday after our security company has done a check) and quickly wrote down what I had done - as a way of celebrating. Then I noticed every time I saw the building security tickets I wondered 'what have I done to take care of myself today'? I began writing on a ticket each day about what I was doing to take care. Over time my depression and anxiety dissipated. I decided to set up the website to share this wonderful thing that helped me turn my life around.
Shortly afterward I had a major breakthrough. In response to a caustic email I shut my office door and then threw myself on the floor and pummelled my fists. SNAP. I realised taking care of myself was not going to involve finding one major thing to transform my life - it was going to involve thousands of little steps forward.
At that moment I grabbed a piece of paper off my desk (a building security ticket that gets put in my front door everyday after our security company has done a check) and quickly wrote down what I had done - as a way of celebrating. Then I noticed every time I saw the building security tickets I wondered 'what have I done to take care of myself today'? I began writing on a ticket each day about what I was doing to take care. Over time my depression and anxiety dissipated. I decided to set up the website to share this wonderful thing that helped me turn my life around.
About Captain Polly
When I first set up this website I didn't want to reveal my identity. I felt imperfect. I thought I was the only one struggling with depression and anxiety. So I created Captain Polly, an alias to protect my identity. Now I'm proud of my journey and don't need to hide behind Captain Polly. But I don't want to let her go either. She is a wonderful crusader and an important part of me. She is now relegated to project super hero.
The character of Captain Polly draws on two of my favorite childhood heroines - both named Polly. As a little kid I was captivated by Sweet Polly Purebred from the 1960's cartoon Underdog. Sweet Polly was an intrepid reporter and damsel-in-distress. When confronted by evil villains she would sing: "Oh where oh where has my Underdog gone." In response, Underdog (a humble shoe shine boy) would slip into a phone booth and emerge as caped crusader crying out: "There's no need to fear, Underdog is here. ... When Sweet Polly's in trouble I am not slow, it's Hip, Hip, Hip and away I go." Underdog would pluck Polly from the brink of disaster and fly her to safety. Polly was sweet and trusting and always, always rescued.
Years later, as a teenager I discovered another Polly - from the Disney series 'Pollyanna'. The heroine in this story, Pollyanna Harrington, was an orphaned girl who went to live with her mean spirited, maiden aunt. Pollyanna was an endlessly cheerful child who played 'The Glad Game', trying to see the best in EVERYTHING. She was always glad, glad, glad. She won the hearts of locals in town - eventually her aunt as well. When she was badly injured (being naughty) she lost her capacity to play The Glad Game. However, she was saved by the town's folk who rallied with messages of love and renamed their town 'Gladsville' in her honour. These gestures of love restored Pollyanna's capacity to play The Glad Game and her chances of recovering from her injuries.
The character of Captain Polly recognises the positivity and good intent of Sweet Polly and Pollyanna. BUT. Captain Polly acknowledges that life is more complex than it was for these 1960s heroines. Captain Polly rescues herself, is positive BUT realistic and ensures that she survives AND THRIVES and hopes that sharing these tickets will help others to do the same.
Years later, as a teenager I discovered another Polly - from the Disney series 'Pollyanna'. The heroine in this story, Pollyanna Harrington, was an orphaned girl who went to live with her mean spirited, maiden aunt. Pollyanna was an endlessly cheerful child who played 'The Glad Game', trying to see the best in EVERYTHING. She was always glad, glad, glad. She won the hearts of locals in town - eventually her aunt as well. When she was badly injured (being naughty) she lost her capacity to play The Glad Game. However, she was saved by the town's folk who rallied with messages of love and renamed their town 'Gladsville' in her honour. These gestures of love restored Pollyanna's capacity to play The Glad Game and her chances of recovering from her injuries.
The character of Captain Polly recognises the positivity and good intent of Sweet Polly and Pollyanna. BUT. Captain Polly acknowledges that life is more complex than it was for these 1960s heroines. Captain Polly rescues herself, is positive BUT realistic and ensures that she survives AND THRIVES and hopes that sharing these tickets will help others to do the same.