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How Writing Can Help With Depression
“Depression is like a bruise that never goes away. A bruise in your mind. You just got to be careful not to touch it where it hurts. It’s always there, though.” — Jeffrey Eugenides, The Marriage Plot
Last summer, when I had my worst episode of depression, was the moment I realized that I needed to be active in managing my disease. I always thought depression was something that would eventually go away forever — a distant memory in the past of my now exuberant life.
Boy, was I wrong.
Jeffrey Eugenides describes depression perfectly; a bruise that’s always there. When it hurts, try not to make it worse by touching the bruise. Instead, care for it and hopefully, one day, notice the signs of when the bruise is getting worse.
For whatever reason — be it chemical, genetics, or a shitty hand dealt — depression doesn’t seem to be the type of disease that goes away. Different life events and physical changes can cause it to manifest in its full-blown form.
Out of necessity, I now have an arsenal of tools that help me keep my depression at bay. Moving my body in the form of weight-lifting or yoga makes me physically thrive and get out of my head. My self-care…
