Writer's Depression - Part 1

Ever since I was a teen I’ve suffered from depression. It comes and goes but is never far away. Even during my best moments, it’s a teeny-tiny shadow in the distance. This does not make me a negative person during my best moments, though. Far from it. But depression never quite dissolves, even when you’ve been nothing but happy and content.

For a few years, from 2011 to 2014, I was in a tough place in my life. Very tough. I struggled financially and health-wise. And my confidence took hit after hit. I had published Hurricane Crimes and 30 Seconds during this time, but I felt like a failure in many other ways.

What helped me during this time?

Blogging.

I felt so alone, but blogging gave me a community.

I felt rejected by everyone, but the bloggers I got to know became my family.

The blogging world gave me something to be a part of. It gave me a purpose.

I shared my knowledge and experience to other writers. By giving to others I felt so much better about myself. Even if it was just for the moment.

In return, I received encouragement and friendship.

Blogging, in other words, was my escape, my refuge. I blogged 2-3 times a week (pre-planned posts) and visited many blogs and left comments. Back then, I was a lot more active with my blog. I dove into blogging, and it turned out to be my medicine.

If you struggle with depression and have a blog, I encourage you to let your blog, this wonderful community, and other people’s blogs to lift you up.



NOTE: Sometimes, blogging can be the problem or be hard to accomplish when you have depression, especially when blogging begins to weigh on you. My next post will reveal what I did most recently when I suffered from my strongest case of depression to date and blogging became an obstacle.

QUESTION: How has blogging helped you?