Hi Spiff. It's great to be alive today, isn't it? I enjoyed your essay immensely. Of course, whenever I see a reference to C.G. Jung, I get excited. I love your remark, "If we understand low moods and depressions as a sign from our unconscious. Ignoring a potentially transformative opportunity is insane."
John Lennon tossed this thought out in his song I FOUND OUT.
"Don't let them fool you
With dope and cocaine
No one can harm you
Feel your own pain"
Sometimes it is appropriate to be depressed and anxious.
I agree. When I look at the world today I worry about the people who think it is normal, lol.
I like tackling difficult subjects sometimes. In our world where depression is seen as pain to be banished I think it is important to remind ourselves there is another view.
That has to be one of the most sensible and spot on articles I've read in a long time.
Depression is my most unfavourite word, can't abide it. Most people who run to the doctor to get some tablets because of their "depression" are just plain unhappy with some aspect of their life. Unfortunately for them the tablets just tend to worsen any situation. Or some people have just got stuck in a rut and bored stupid with their daily life.
I have to admit it is kind of scary to think of all the people out their taking their daily medication instead of facing up to what is wrong in their lives. Though I'm sure it makes them easier to be manipulated by the daily propaganda.
I do think a diagnosis of depression has its place, as does medication. But I also suspect most depression is just sadness and even anger at life. It used to be understood as anger against the self.
Today's pharmacological interventions may not be helping either, and I believe it is as much a cultural problem as a medical one. We must encourage more people to face their demons as that is the only way to get the prize of clarity.
Spiff, are you living my life? What you describe in this article is exactly the path I took 6 years ago, when one is depressed and anxious it is not something that should be medicated away, you need to dive head first into the pain in order to move past it. Once you delve into your psyche you will find your truth and it will make your life so so so much better, not easier but better.
I too have done this. Confrontation is always superior to avoidance, no matter how difficult.
Alas we have established avoidance as the standard response, so many miss out on the rich seam of potential it can unlock. Although this was true in Jung's day too.
As this article perfectly describes my situation. There is a Phoenix inside of me waiting to be raised from the ashes but I am not able to unleash it. How did you do it?
Confrontation. Not avoiding. Girding your loins for the discomfort.
However all growth is a two steps forward, one step back affair. It is non-linear. Usually chaotic in fact.
Your Phoenix may in fact be a flock of smaller birds all unleashed at different times in ways you cannot easily control.
I would say the central thesis of the article is that depression can offer insights because you are depressed about something. It is usually the something you need to focus on. Lifestyle, career, relationships etc .
Most people know what's wrong. It is just difficult to make the initial moves.
I ALWAYS appreciate a writer who can reframe a popular conception of an idea into a new way of viewing it. As a closet depressive, this essay resonated strongly. I don’t save many Substack essays, but I’m saving this one.
Thanks, Kert. I appreciate that. I do think the depression issue is a cultural issue as much as anything. I have great sympathy for those who are depressed, low, in despair or otherwise struggling.
But as a culture we must also teach people there is a purpose to the confrontation of our demons. We are often the architects of our own downfall. And often the way back up is to get that mental clarity then get to work making better decisions. Get on a diet, get some exercise, consider a new job or career. It is not easy, and most progress is slow and non-linear.
If you like people tackling sensitive issues, you may enjoy this one too:
I agree with you on everything said. I read the other article you linked and I enjoyed that too—you didn’t know but I’m a “student of death” and have been involved in deep reading and writing about death and our culture’s phobia about it. We don’t do death well at all and so I’ve committed a part of my life now, through my writing, eldering, and my Hospice work to doing my small part to help alleviate the suffering of others when it comes to our dying days. One man who has transformed my knowledge and thinking about it has been Stephen Jenkinson. Heard of him? He wrote “Die Wiske.” HIGHLY RECOMMEND! https://bookshop.org/a/104925/9781583949733
Hi Spiff. It's great to be alive today, isn't it? I enjoyed your essay immensely. Of course, whenever I see a reference to C.G. Jung, I get excited. I love your remark, "If we understand low moods and depressions as a sign from our unconscious. Ignoring a potentially transformative opportunity is insane."
John Lennon tossed this thought out in his song I FOUND OUT.
"Don't let them fool you
With dope and cocaine
No one can harm you
Feel your own pain"
Sometimes it is appropriate to be depressed and anxious.
I agree. When I look at the world today I worry about the people who think it is normal, lol.
I like tackling difficult subjects sometimes. In our world where depression is seen as pain to be banished I think it is important to remind ourselves there is another view.
That whole album is so sick.
That has to be one of the most sensible and spot on articles I've read in a long time.
Depression is my most unfavourite word, can't abide it. Most people who run to the doctor to get some tablets because of their "depression" are just plain unhappy with some aspect of their life. Unfortunately for them the tablets just tend to worsen any situation. Or some people have just got stuck in a rut and bored stupid with their daily life.
I have to admit it is kind of scary to think of all the people out their taking their daily medication instead of facing up to what is wrong in their lives. Though I'm sure it makes them easier to be manipulated by the daily propaganda.
I do think a diagnosis of depression has its place, as does medication. But I also suspect most depression is just sadness and even anger at life. It used to be understood as anger against the self.
Today's pharmacological interventions may not be helping either, and I believe it is as much a cultural problem as a medical one. We must encourage more people to face their demons as that is the only way to get the prize of clarity.
Completely agree with all you said.
Spiff, are you living my life? What you describe in this article is exactly the path I took 6 years ago, when one is depressed and anxious it is not something that should be medicated away, you need to dive head first into the pain in order to move past it. Once you delve into your psyche you will find your truth and it will make your life so so so much better, not easier but better.
I too have done this. Confrontation is always superior to avoidance, no matter how difficult.
Alas we have established avoidance as the standard response, so many miss out on the rich seam of potential it can unlock. Although this was true in Jung's day too.
As this article perfectly describes my situation. There is a Phoenix inside of me waiting to be raised from the ashes but I am not able to unleash it. How did you do it?
Confrontation. Not avoiding. Girding your loins for the discomfort.
However all growth is a two steps forward, one step back affair. It is non-linear. Usually chaotic in fact.
Your Phoenix may in fact be a flock of smaller birds all unleashed at different times in ways you cannot easily control.
I would say the central thesis of the article is that depression can offer insights because you are depressed about something. It is usually the something you need to focus on. Lifestyle, career, relationships etc .
Most people know what's wrong. It is just difficult to make the initial moves.
Wow, beautifully put!
I ALWAYS appreciate a writer who can reframe a popular conception of an idea into a new way of viewing it. As a closet depressive, this essay resonated strongly. I don’t save many Substack essays, but I’m saving this one.
Thanks, Kert. I appreciate that. I do think the depression issue is a cultural issue as much as anything. I have great sympathy for those who are depressed, low, in despair or otherwise struggling.
But as a culture we must also teach people there is a purpose to the confrontation of our demons. We are often the architects of our own downfall. And often the way back up is to get that mental clarity then get to work making better decisions. Get on a diet, get some exercise, consider a new job or career. It is not easy, and most progress is slow and non-linear.
If you like people tackling sensitive issues, you may enjoy this one too:
https://abysspostcard.substack.com/p/the-purpose-of-life-is-a-glorious
I agree with you on everything said. I read the other article you linked and I enjoyed that too—you didn’t know but I’m a “student of death” and have been involved in deep reading and writing about death and our culture’s phobia about it. We don’t do death well at all and so I’ve committed a part of my life now, through my writing, eldering, and my Hospice work to doing my small part to help alleviate the suffering of others when it comes to our dying days. One man who has transformed my knowledge and thinking about it has been Stephen Jenkinson. Heard of him? He wrote “Die Wiske.” HIGHLY RECOMMEND! https://bookshop.org/a/104925/9781583949733
I also brought my dad to live with me his final year—I was his 24/7 caregiver because I knew he didn’t know how to die well. So, I helped him. Wrote about all those experiences too. https://open.substack.com/pub/kertlenseigne/p/dying-wiser-1?r=2cs3z&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I will make some time to read about your experiences. Thanks for sharing.