November Depression

Hello. It's been awhile. Hope you're doing OK in these dark times.

November has crept up on us again, and so has November depression. The type of Winter depression that I'm familiar with. It seems to be commen for people at this time. Less daylight, colder temperature, more indoor time, being sick, etc. There can be various factors into why we get hit with it. I think an accurate description of it is being in a rough little nut. It's exhausting and it sucks, but you're not there for very long. I have my reasons for having it, so I thought that I would discuss about it and the ways that I deal with it in this little piece.

I've dealt with this November depression on and off for about six years now. I'm not going into too much personal details, other then that I know the root cause of it, and I'm still not quite emotionally equipped to deal with it. I'm a introverted person, and asking for help or advice requires some broken barriers. It's not easy. But in times like these, you try to fight it and keep yourself active in different ways, which is what I'm doing.

One thing that I've picked up from last year is writing lyrics and poems. When you bottle up your emotions inside, you're bound to address them somehow, before the pressure gets too much. Having them written down helps a lot. I am actually surprised by what has been written, so far. When I was in a boarding school, I used to play music a lot, but I was not a songwriter. By that I mean, that I really didn't know how to structure riffs and such to create a song. And lyrics was the last thing that I would think about. Now, however, ideas for lyrics come together much easier for me. I guess that writing about your own emotions is more natural than writing about a non-personal topic. I have plans to turn these lyrics into songs, which will be interesting to add music into words instead of the other way around.

Other than that, I'm doing some exercise in my spare time. I'm fortunate enough to live near a forest, so semi-daily walks have become a routine. I've also picked up on Wii Fit, since late September. That has more to do with listening to various podcasts and being inspired to live a more healthier life. Also, I can save money by doing exercise at home than, say, doing it at a fitness center. Though I have slagged off for most of this month, that has more to do with foot problems (that will hopefully be detailed in a future blog), but I'm getting back on track. Everything takes time.

All in all, I just trying to pull through like most people. Fits of depression sucks, but it's better to fight it than let it blackpill you to death. Life is too precious for that to happen. I may feel a bit down now, but tomorrow may be different. On that note, have a good day.

- Thomas B. Forsberg (Quorthon)