My Favorite Bit of Information From The Week:
Thank You
I am very humbled and thankful to have made it to week 50 with this community. This particular week falls on my 30th birthday and I consider 50 to a be a huge landmark. I felt a lot of pressure (given only by myself) to myself to make it special. But, life happens and I had a really hard week with my depression. I am very functional and most days very happy, but some weeks are still incredibly hard and this was one of them. I tell this to you because this community means a great deal to me, and your presence within this thread of thoughts. It is a true pleasure to show up each week and share this information with you while learning from you. So, thank you. I think a community of people who are interested and curious about mental health is special enough in and of itself. One of the things that my depression does for me – even though it is incredibly frustrating at times – is to make me see the truth of my life, the simplest and most accessible bits. Which, in my experience, tend to be the most valuable and important. Thank you for being valuable and special and for sharing your time with me.
So, this week is simple. I want to share one of my favorite monologues from Hamlet. Whenever I feel low or numb, it’s able to convey how I feel without my having to use my words. I hope you enjoy it as well and perhaps find catharsis or understanding within it. If you are struggling with Depression, low moods, anxiety or a different mental health struggle, please check out the resources on my website, which include affordable therapy options, as well as a past post from the last time I had a hard week for tips on how to improve your health every day. I also find this article from MIND in the U.K to be incredibly helpful when dealing with pressure. They are also a wealth of information if you have curiosities about almost any aspect of mental illness. It’s my favorite library for information because I find it accessible, constantly updated, and accurate.
Monologue:
HAMLETI have of late–but
wherefore I know not–lost all my mirth, forgone all
custom of exercises; and indeed it goes so heavily
with my disposition that this goodly frame, the
earth, seems to me a sterile promontory, this most
excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave
o’erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted
with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing to
me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours.
What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason!
how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how
express and admirable! in action how like an angel!
in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the
world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me,
what is this quintessence of dust? man delights not
me: no, nor woman neither, though by your smiling
you seem to say so.
Also, I know I just shared it recently, but this image by Goya on Depression has really been staying with me and I find it very helpful. This painting, and the monologue above, is one of the reasons art is so great to me. It can convey what we feel when we ourselves are unable to, and there is the potential for great healing in that. So I thought it was worth a second share:
Update On My Show:
I Am Going To Be On Hope For The Day’s Podcast: Check out more on their website! You can also attend the live recording at Sip of Hope on Thursday Dec 12th at 6:00 PM! To attend is free, but you have to register here. I hope to see you there!
First Show Announced: SAVE THE DATE! January 28th at The Hideout Inn!