Dear readers, As the fourth week of my attempt to write a poem every day in 2023 draws to a close (for more information, see my post from January 1st), I’m still having a lot of mixed feelings. I feel like I’ve done some good and interesting work, and I’m sure some of these pieces…
Tag: depression
WFTH September 2020: Thaw
I’ve been remiss in posting – generally, but also specifically – my Write From the Heart entries of late. I’m still working on a lot of other things too – I’m almost done with the third draft of my book, I’ve sent some poetry in to contests, and there’s a lot of ideas milling about…
Book review: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
4/5 stars Audible version, narrated by Maggie Gyllenhaal. Review contains spoilers, but in this case I don’t personally believe it matters very much, as it’s not the kind of novel you read for the plot. This book is slow, mesmerising, poetic, sad, disturbing and beautiful. It’s a special kind of book that happens mostly in…
Dance like nobody’s watching
Being a typical “stiff Norwegian” and shy to boot, dancing did not come naturally to me. I never took any dance classes as a child and never really had any interest in dancing – dancing makes you stand out. Dancing means not being afraid. And I’m nothing if not afraid – and a control freak….
The Guilt Spiral
The guilt spiral is a mystifying thing that occurs when bad things happen to people around me. I start to feel guilty that the bad things are happening to other people instead of me. And then I start to feel guilty about feeling guilty because bad things aren’t happening to me. At this moment there…
Fuck you depression, step 2: exercise
So I’m sure we’re all well aware of the both mental and physical health benefits of exercise. And to quote the inimitable Elle Woods: “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.” (Legally Blonde is my guilty pleasure movie, don’t judge!) And I understand it’s…
Fuck you depression, step 1: openness
I met an old friend today, But I turned and walked the other way. Depression is not so much a friend as an enemy, I suppose. But sometimes when you know your enemies this well, they almost seem like old friends. Yesterday’s post was part acknowledging to myself that I’m here again now, I’ve come…
Will I feel better in the morning?
For a long time (years) I’ve not felt much. By which I mean my feelings have been superficial. I can feel happiness, enjoyment, sadness and all those things, and do so quite frequently, but it doesn’t really touch me. I used to be on the other end of the spectrum. I used to feel everything…
Book review: Hyperbole and a half
5/5 stars I re-read this book to see if it would be a good gift for a friend of mine. And I had only just sat down and opened the book when I found myself half way through (or so it felt), and wondering why I do not read this book every week. I must…
Too much time, and too little. 