Off to get food.

I would take being forced to stay at home for weeks over 2-3 yrs of clinical depression from 11 years ago that at one point put me on suicide watch. Am thinking a lot about those times back then and realizing how much more living I still had. I have savored each day since then.

Am also very conscious that the therapy I got and strategies I used back then have helped me immensely to fight my history of depression. Am never fully "cured" but I am in a less darker place, even know.

Music and writing and journalism and creativity and family and friends have been a big help. And so has this scene from Bye Bye Birdie (sans the sexism but you get the point)

Even if these times, I feared the dark places all coming back but they haven't. They can always sneak up but I have been able to anticipate them and cut them off quickly. It was SO HARD to use those strategies back then but it has gotten much easier.

Seriously, if anyone if going through tough times mentally now, there is help out there. As hard as it is, it is ok to admit you need help. Especially men. Swallow your pride and seek help. It's ok. There is no shame in this.