The last few days have been grim. As much as it seems like I can now manage my depression, can modulate its intensity, and tolerate it (or even appreciate it as a kind of privileged insight), those concepts have been just that: concepts. No heart. No ability to give me a will to do anything. It started when the readership on the blog dropped off. That, in turn, began with my idea of putting my ‘spiritual philosophy’ out there. Either that direction bored, annoyed, or just did not get picked up in search engines. The problem for me was not the lack of readership, which no doubt will wax and wane. Rather, my incredible sensitivity to adversity has become a handicap.
The good news is, today I feel better. I awoke with a better perspective, and got the courage to turn on the computer and check out the inevitable fact that my blog has dropped off the radar. At first I had a rush of excitement when my email downloaded: a bunch of comments to my posts had rolled in! Then I realized that all of them were spam. And because I’d left them sitting there for two days, they encouraged more spam. So my site had been flooded. At least I was able to chuckle at the irony of my ‘popularity’ only being junk mail.
So, this blog isn’t supposed to be about me anyway. I started it to help others. From that view, if others don’t come, at least I’m fulfilling my intent to try. The tenderness of my feelings is the big problem. I’ve always been touchy, but now it’s become almost ludicrous. Having had so many disappointments and perceived failures in the past decade has taken my original sensitive area and rubbed it raw. I will try to use this last mood collapse as a lesson to not allow setbacks, actual or not, big or small, to affect me so deeply.
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1
Milo at http://likopoliom.blogspot.com
Oh dear! I usually tune in… but had been away so i couldn’t get on line really… the picture of the koala is very special to me too (I am from Oz). hope you feel better soon.
kind regards, Milo
Posted at July 26, 2009 on 9:13pm.
2
Will at http://willspirit.com
Milo, your kind message really means a lot to me. Thank you.
Posted at July 26, 2009 on 9:46pm.
3
freda at http://YourWebsite
me too with the koala – I lived and worked in Oz for 7 years – good ones of my youth! tomorrow is another day,as they say,but can be hard to hang on to that. take care freda
Posted at July 27, 2009 on 7:32am.
4
Will at http://willspirit.com
Thank you, Freda. Before Milo left that message, I’d never heard ‘Oz’ as a reference to Australia. (I just liked the Koala picture; they seem like such gentle creatures. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen one in real life. If so, only in a zoo.)
Posted at July 27, 2009 on 8:11am.
5
Brian Hildebrandt at http://www.mens-hormonal-health.com/depression-in-men.html
I know how it feels to have your self-worth tied in to the success of your website.
Although not a smart thing to do, it can happen none the less.
The daily, weekly, and montly fluctuations makes for an emotional rollercoaster sometimes not unlike following the stock market.
It’s especially difficult if you’re relying on the traffic to bring in money.
Actions bring delayed success for the most part… I have to keep reminding myself of that sometimes.
Posted at July 27, 2009 on 8:40am.
6
Will at http://willspirit.com
At this point I am fortunate not to be doing this for money (very fortunate, since I don’t see how with my low readership I could generate more than an occasional candy bar). I can see how that would raise the stakes considerably. Thanks for the insight and commiseration.
Posted at July 27, 2009 on 8:53am.
7
Colette Power at http://YourWebsite
Hmmm, I did wonder as to the choice of a koala for your post. Did you know, that koalas spend most of their lives asleep? They have to eat an enormous amount of eucalyptus leaves to sustain nutrition and become intoxicated as they digest said leaves. Not a great mascot for a website on depression management, I shouldn’t think. Colette
Posted at March 5, 2010 on 11:44pm.
8
Will at http://willspirit.com
Colette–
Interesting about the koala. It’s been a while, but I believe the picture was chosen simply because the animal looks gentle, which often (though not always) suggests sensitivity.
–Will
Posted at March 6, 2010 on 6:01am.