The Antidote To Death
I read something recently that the biggest predictor and contributor to depression is rumination.
Repetitive thinking, dwelling on negative feelings and distress and their causes and consequences.
I think that’s why creatives have become publicly known for suffering from mental health problems. Some of the greatest writers, musicians and actors who make a career out of a desire to express themselves while at the same time exposing themselves to critique from the masses can lead to deep rumination.
These artists historically found more freedom in their work than in living real life and I think there is something beautiful about that.
For me, writing has become a really big part of my life in recent years. I found it difficult to begin with because I felt myself judging what was being spilled out onto the page.
Ruminating on my own inner dialogue.
What I’ve found the more I’ve let go of judgement is that writing has been something that I really enjoy and somewhere I’ve gone to find clarity and freedom.
Sometimes I write methodically to a system that allows me to check a few boxes that contribute to an overall improved sense of self and wellbeing such as daily gratitude, acceptance and purpose.
Other times I just write and let go of any and all inhibitions to see what comes out.
This is where I find the most magic.
This is where I find the most creativity.
It is where I find freedom of pressure, expectation and judgement.
Where I once found myself ruminating inside my writing, I now find myself in rumination more without it. So I write.
Somewhere I find inspiration, is in song lyrics. When I listen to music and there is a line that stands out, or a melody that causes me to listen more intently to what’s being said I regularly find myself daydreaming or dissecting what the lyrics may mean. What was the artist experiencing whilst creating this piece? Love, joy, happiness, anger, sadness?
I think the measure of a good lyricist is being able to express their own emotions through a story that the listener can directly relate to in their own life experience.
The title of this entry, the antidote to death was inspired by a song by a punk rock band called story of the year.
The song portrays the message that the medicine we need to save ourselves from disease and destruction is right here inside us.
This is my antidote. Writing. Creativity. Self expression.
The antidote is within us all.