Depression is a Lying Bastard Fest

[untonuggan]

It has come to my attention that it is That Time of Year again for most people with SAD in the Northern Hemisphere, and that for many other folks Bad Things and/or Anniversaries seem to be piling up. At times like this, it is hard to remember that Depression is a Lying Bastard and that it *does* get better again.

So! A friend and I came up with the Depression is a Lying Bastard Fest. There are many ways to participate in comments below:

• a gratitude list (because there are still good things in the world) or a list of good things
• something you are proud of (a la the Monday Pride thread)
• a funny poem (limmericks work well here)
• cute things! animals, babies, whatever floats your boat!
• anti-winter and/or anti-depression manifestos! This can be in the form of a poem or a simple declaration of "Fuck you, brain weasels, and your lying ways! I will not believe your lies!"

Feel free to comment on someone's comment if you find it particularly moving, but please keep things positive. Anonymous comments are currently turned on. (Please don't abuse them.)

If this grows and becomes very popular, or if you have more ideas, feel free to spread the Depression is a Lying Bastard Fest to your own journal or comm! Also, I would love it if you linked back here so that we got more participants. ^_^

Comments

[southernmyst]

Hiya, I hope you don't mind me crashing your party ... I followed you from 3_good_things_a_day. This is a wonderful sort of post, and just the sort of thing I think I need more of in my life, so I thought I'd just jump in and have a go.

Things I'm grateful for include ...
* More than words can describe, I'm grateful that my recent immigration application was approved. The implications of this (being able to stay in my own home, not being separated from my beloved for an indeterminate number of months or years) are so wonderful.
* Being financially comfortable, for once.
* A great support network of friends here, that is ever-strengthening.
* My ability to always entertain myself.
* A wonderful husband who is supportive, caring, intelligent, and so much more.
* That I'm able to see and appreciate the change of the seasons these days.
* That stories like this are so easily believable. I'm glad there's enough good left in the world for that.
* A local woman is putting together an "Inspire Festival" aimed at inspiring the community. I'm grateful there's people with such positive ideas and initiative still in this world, and indeed in my own community.

Things I'm proud of include ...
* Surviving the long, arduous journey that has been immigrating. Five years of uncertainty and fear. Five years of sporadic arguments solely down to the stress of it all. Five years of making up and making the conscious decision and effort to NOT let the state rip us apart. Not everyone survives this journey - which is part of the point, as far as the state's concerned. Up yours, UKBA.
* Becoming more adept with GIMP and so being able to make our photos look better.
* Went through last year's Christmas cards last night; I'm proud of myself for looking at all of these and being happy that I was thought of, and not letting Depression and its evil brain weasels even try to convince me of any silliness like they just sent these cards because they felt obliged.

:-)

[31stcentury]

I'm not liz but pretty sure everyone interested is more than welcome!

(I sort of want to tell everyone "I'm so sorry that you need this too!" ❤)

[southernmyst]

Thanks :-)

I can't help but think that this sort of exercise is good for anyone and everyone.