I wonder why more and more people have depression? With the state of the world, it’s really a mystery we may never get an answer to.

The idea of the depressed genius who is the most productive when they are at their lowest is bullshit.

Van Gogh painted the most when he was recovering. You and I are no different.

Sadly, depression only makes me sluggish and makes my favorite hobby doom scrolling or staring at the wall with an eight-hours long YouTube video in the background to block out my thoughts. That inspiration I was promised by the movies is nowhere to be seen.

Who would have guessed that Hollywood lies?

Despite my struggle with depression (actually, I’m not struggling with depression. I’m great at it. Everything else is the problem), I’ve been a pretty productive writer.

How did I do it?

Well, it helps a lot that I’m probably autistic with a special interest in writing.

However, if you are not blessed with this particular curse, I’m really sad to say some of those stereotypical advice we all loathe do actually work.

Yes, I hate it too. Going outside, changing the place where you write, hanging out with writing friends, having an accountability buddy, all those things work. I’ve been doing them this week to a pretty decent success.

But, let’s put things into perspective. If you are struggling to get out of bed, writing shouldn’t be your priority. So, please get some actual professional help. It’s 2025, we should be over the stigma of going to a therapist or taking meds. I know we’re not, but if you can afford it, please look into it.

As your mental health improves, you will have more time and space in your brain to write. You will find joy in it again.

The world is a scary place. I would like to assure you it’s all going to be ok, but to be quite honest, I really don’t believe it. But, I do know my novel is going to get better. No one else is going to make it so unless I’m around.

Now, more than ever, we need to have our voices heard, our words written and shared. So, please try your best to stick around.