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Writing Through Depression

C

Chessie

Guest
Hello Scribes, this is something that I'd like to discuss because its affecting me and I'm sure I can't be the only one.

As writers, we live more of a solitary experience when compared to other professions. We need that alone and introspective time to create our art, but its also self damaging. I have had my times with depression and am going through it now, although not as intense as in the past thanks to therapy and some self-care. This is not easy for me to talk about, but important. For the past two days, I have been in bed and unable to write. My WIP beckons. But I'm too sad to go to it. Tomorrow is a new day and I will try to write.

We spend time alone, hours in fact, writing. Sometimes we forego exercise and social connections to finish our work. Ever since I started writing seriously 4 years ago, I have been less and less social because instead of partying, I rather write. And then there's life and all it gives us....some serious things we have to deal with. I do keep an exercise routine and meditate, etc but right now things are rough and I'm having troubles keeping up with my work.

So my question is: how do you write--and write well--through bouts of depression? Are you able to? What sorts of habits do you maintain to stay mentally and physically healthy which in turn supports creation of art? I am curious to see what fellow writers do and if you have any gems of wisdom. Thank you.
 

Julian S Bartz

Minstrel
Friends of mine have struggled through depression for years and the first step is always being open with it so that you can get support. So good on you for being so comfortable talking about it, its not easy.

I have always said you should write when you feel like writing. Obviously this isn't going to work, so maybe you can try little goals. Start with something really small. E.g. writing a single sentence. If you feel like more, keep going, if not, leave it until the next goal.

Like many things in life writing can give you the thrill of accomplishment. Even achieving small writing goals can give you a little burst of endorphins. Importantly, don't feel like you have to write. Do what makes you happy. And don't feel bad about it.

And socialising is important because it makes you realise you are never truly alone. Something as simple as this forum can give you human contact to brighten your day if stepping out of the house seems to hard.

So my advice is start small, really small if necessary and then see where it takes you.
 

Philip Overby

Staff
Article Team
I think this is a pretty standard problem for writers. The way I work through it myself is to drastically shift my writing focus (if we're talking about writing solutions only; I won't get into other methods to deal with depression). If I'm getting burned out with things happening in my life in general, I find that shifting to some different type of writing sometimes helps me for a bit. This can mean writing a short story based in reality, brainstorming a possible new project, tinkering with an old idea. I find these things help bring me out of the doldrums because I think writers strive on creative energy. If one project is dragging down the need to create somehow (which editing does for me) then the depression might be brought on by too much sameness. I've learned to push through it more often than not because otherwise I have tons of unfinished projects brought on by boredom or a lack of motivation because of depression.

That may be one key: try to finish things as soon as possible that way you can jump on to the new thing. That may help when it comes to writing related depression anyway.
 

TheokinsJ

Troubadour
My closest friend is suffering from depression and he also finds writing a great way to deal with it, to overcome it, but I think writing is only part of the solution. This friend, he dropped out of school halfway through his final year, he sits at home all day and does nothing- he doesn't work, he doesn't catch up with friends- and I think that's what adds to his depression.
As you say, writers live very solitary lives, and I've always wanted to write professionally, but I've always thought I'd be lonely or socially I'd struggle, but remember, even if you see writing as a job, or as a passion, everything is good in moderation.

Writing certainly helps, but you need time out from it- you need time to just get out of the house and do things; I go for a walk everyday, just around my park, and it clears my head and leaves me refreshed. Catching up with friends, going for a walk, something as simple as going to the shops to buy milk, anything that gets you out and into the world, is good for your mental health.
As for writing through depression, I don't have any experience, so my advice might not be that helpful, but I find when I'm sad or I'm upset, I find the best thing to do is to channel that sadness and that emotion into my writing, to use the emotions to my advantage- Sometimes I'll just out of the blue write a short story, to express how I'm feeling, or use these emotions to construct a scene in my WIP. Not sure how much use my advice has been, but hope it helped.
 

Penpilot

Staff
Article Team
I don't have depression, but the seasons and weather can greatly affect my mood. I get the winter blues. Sometimes the swings are pretty drastic, but most of the time it's mild. It's not depression, and I won't pretend it's even close.

For myself, I play team sports weekly, and that helps in the exercise and socialization parts. Though sometimes I just don't feel up for it. But I think it helps in just keeping me in motion, so I don't just hunker down doing nothing.

In terms of my life in general and in writing, I try to keep moving. Whether I get anything done doesn't matter, the effort is all that counts for me. Also being consciously aware when I'm in a mood helps me deal too. Sometimes I'll just let myself feel it all and try to channel that into the writing. Results may vary, but like I said it's motion. And maybe in some ways it's practice in just feeling and dealing with emotions within the writing.

One of the emotions I generally don't have trouble summoning up for a story is sadness and loss.

Any way. Maybe there's something you can take from my experiences. Maybe not.
 

FatCat

Maester
The cruel thing about depression is that if even what you do write is percieved as complete garbage. That fog covers everything in your life is strongest here, because doubt is strong in creativity. There is a ton of advice you can find about depression, but honestly you just have to endure, because there will be a time that you wake and your problems aren't the first thing you think of. Also, I think despair is a fairly strong muse, so maybe try a new short story or something, step away from your WIP, it may be contributing to your stress.
 

Ruby

Auror
Hi Chesterama,

I'm sorry to hear you're feeling depressed.

I had a terrible 2013 and my way of coping with it has been to escape into writing. I wrote some of my best (IMO) chapters in the middle of the night and I'm someone who, previously, never suffered from insomnia. :D

I think writing can be extremely healing and cathartic. If that doesn't work for you, try playing some happy music, or even sad music that you can wallow in for a while; read a favourite book or do some painting; watch an escapist film.

I find I'm more creative when I'm miserable so, perhaps, being depressed at times goes with the territory and you can make it a positive thing.
 
Hello Scribes, this is something that I'd like to discuss because its affecting me and I'm sure I can't be the only one.

As writers, we live more of a solitary experience when compared to other professions. We need that alone and introspective time to create our art, but its also self damaging. I have had my times with depression and am going through it now, although not as intense as in the past thanks to therapy and some self-care. This is not easy for me to talk about, but important. For the past two days, I have been in bed and unable to write. My WIP beckons. But I'm too sad to go to it. Tomorrow is a new day and I will try to write.

We spend time alone, hours in fact, writing. Sometimes we forego exercise and social connections to finish our work. Ever since I started writing seriously 4 years ago, I have been less and less social because instead of partying, I rather write. And then there's life and all it gives us....some serious things we have to deal with. I do keep an exercise routine and meditate, etc but right now things are rough and I'm having troubles keeping up with my work.

So my question is: how do you write--and write well--through bouts of depression? Are you able to? What sorts of habits do you maintain to stay mentally and physically healthy which in turn supports creation of art? I am curious to see what fellow writers do and if you have any gems of wisdom. Thank you.
Yes, exactly some time it turns to pain to write something, but we have to write on that condition too. Mostly when I feel depressed, I don't choose to write even a single word, I take a rest and then prepare myself to write after some time with positive thoughts.
 
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