visceral! it would be difficult for me to use the "feeding your demons" practice with a vampire squid, but maybe it transforms into something more benign if it's treated with compassion.
either way, i hope you're currently un-squidded and remain so for as long as possible. thanks for the comment!
One of my stranger friends taught me to recognise the days (or weeks or seasons) when what's called for is to lift the oars out of the water. It's a different metaphor, but I think there's a lot in common with your way of coming to terms with the black dog. Where my younger self would read back from the sense of uselessness and futility that comes on those days, to draw conclusions about my own fundamental nature and character flaws, or the nature and flaws of the world in which I find myself, my friends advice was to take this as a thing that happens, a kind of weather that blows through now and then, never wholly predictable. The important thing, he went on, is to recognise when it's one of those days (or weeks or seasons) and not try to go anywhere, not try to add any forward momentum, because your little boat won't be pointing in the right direction, and you won't be able to find your bearings. So lift your oars out of the water for a while and wait, because the weather will change soon enough. I've found this to be good advice.
absolutely. that's very good advice, thank you for passing it along. i have to look carefully for the moments when i actually can lift the oars out, with the job and the kids and the writing and all; still, i'm sure there are more of those moments than i recognize.
I know that feeling, but I've never heard this metaphor for it. I usually try to get some exercise (healthy!) or play a videogame (not so healthy) and wait for it to pass. Being busy and engaged with creative work helps too. But it's still sometimes just there. I like the idea of treating it with compassion, or at least detachment.
absolutely. waiting for it to pass is the only thing that reliably works for me. i know exercise is probably the most effective—but i often find that the Black Dog has hidden my gym shoes.
I refer to it as the "vampire squid" because it clings to me with too many arms to shake free and sucks the life out of my day.
visceral! it would be difficult for me to use the "feeding your demons" practice with a vampire squid, but maybe it transforms into something more benign if it's treated with compassion.
either way, i hope you're currently un-squidded and remain so for as long as possible. thanks for the comment!
One of my stranger friends taught me to recognise the days (or weeks or seasons) when what's called for is to lift the oars out of the water. It's a different metaphor, but I think there's a lot in common with your way of coming to terms with the black dog. Where my younger self would read back from the sense of uselessness and futility that comes on those days, to draw conclusions about my own fundamental nature and character flaws, or the nature and flaws of the world in which I find myself, my friends advice was to take this as a thing that happens, a kind of weather that blows through now and then, never wholly predictable. The important thing, he went on, is to recognise when it's one of those days (or weeks or seasons) and not try to go anywhere, not try to add any forward momentum, because your little boat won't be pointing in the right direction, and you won't be able to find your bearings. So lift your oars out of the water for a while and wait, because the weather will change soon enough. I've found this to be good advice.
absolutely. that's very good advice, thank you for passing it along. i have to look carefully for the moments when i actually can lift the oars out, with the job and the kids and the writing and all; still, i'm sure there are more of those moments than i recognize.
No! The best way to treat it is medication. Forever. I loved this post. Beautifully written and insightful.
I know that feeling, but I've never heard this metaphor for it. I usually try to get some exercise (healthy!) or play a videogame (not so healthy) and wait for it to pass. Being busy and engaged with creative work helps too. But it's still sometimes just there. I like the idea of treating it with compassion, or at least detachment.
absolutely. waiting for it to pass is the only thing that reliably works for me. i know exercise is probably the most effective—but i often find that the Black Dog has hidden my gym shoes.
😂