I have on occasion tweeted about my #depression. This time, I would like to report that I have only had one depressed day in the past 2 weeks! I have not had this long a run of mental functioning and good mood for at least 6 months - probably more. #mentalhealth

It’s not that I am giddily happy all the time. But my chest doesn’t have a knot in it. I don’t feel like I am wading through molasses with tired and sore muscles with every movement. There is no voice turning every thought into the most negative view possible.

There have still been challenges - machinery breakdowns, uncooperative animals, small injuries, yelling children, etc. But each hiccup in my day doesn’t feel like my world has exploded and there’s no possible way to move forward.

Depression is different for everyone. For me it can be sadness, low energy, anger, hopelessness, basically any negative emotion. The depression is like an amplifier of negative emotions and a dampener of joy and positivity. Everything is harder when I am depressed.

So after such a long period of almost constant depression, some days worse than others, it feels amazing to just be my “normal” self. I can trust my thoughts. I am way more productive. I am a better dad and husband, and likely more pleasant to be around.

What brought this on? Not sure. Could be the spring weather. Could be having my family around more. Could be the good friend from Germany I have been chatting with after several years of no communication. Could be the medication change made 2 months ago is finally working.

This does not mean that I am not concerned about the world, our country, my business, my family’s health, etc. But I don’t find those concerns crushing.