Gradually, and then suddenly

So here I am riding the wave of life, just bobbing along when suddenly I realize that the wave I'm on is actually the black wave of depression. I hate it when that happens. You don't know it until you do, and by then it's usually too late to get away unscathed. Depression has been a reoccurring theme in my life, and unfortunately it's genetic. I know that it is something I will always have to deal with, and I am getting better at battling it down before it gets totally out of hand as it has in the past. I've decided to make a list of all of the things I can force myself to do in order to escape faster:

1. Do not play depression's favorite record. Step away from the Elliot Smith. Make a play-list of happy upbeat songs, the kind that make you want to run a marathon up-hill. Play it on repeat even if you don't wanna.

2. Clean and organize things. My surroundings tend to reflect my mood, and sometimes it can work both ways. Clean room, clean mind.

3. Get a good book. Preferably by Tom Robbins. Read the book.

4. Force yourself to go to the gym. Even if you only last 1/2 hour.

5. Make lists of things to do, check them off as you complete them. Idle hands are depression's favorite.


Getting out of depression is just like getting in. It happens gradually, and then suddenly.