depression

Delight 1: Burnished Skies and Kitty Paws

/ lastchancetobreathe / 2 Comments

It’s been a rough couple of months and I haven’t been wanting to write, but a couple of years ago I read The Book of Delights: Essays by Ross Gay (thanks to my friend, Sarah, for her amazing book recommendations!). I have always wanted to try something similar.

If you’re not familiar with the book, it follow Ross Gay as he tries to write about a “delight” that he finds every day. Not in a toxic positivity, “everything is amazing” way, but rather, what’s something, even if it’s the smallest little thing on the worst day, that delighted him? He covers some amazing topics, including how he finds delight even when he’s experiencing racism or prejudice. He’s deep and you should give him a read.

So, I thought I’d try something similar. Something to lift my spirits and help me not focus so much on the things that are depressing me right now. Something to help me appreciate the little joys and delights a bit more.

It’s not going to be as deep as Ross Gay’s musings. There’s probably not going to be a post every day because I’m struggling to just get work done and finish the school year out as best as I can in a pandemic-ridden world and I know I won’t be able to write every day.

But, if you’re interested, stay tuned. Here’s my first “delight” from a few days ago.

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Weary

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Malaysia’s active COVID cases have increased dramatically over the last week or so and, to no one’s great surprise, schools were forced to close again. Though we’re in a milder lockdown (teachers at least can still work from school and we can go on walks and whatnot), there’s a general sense of disappointment and discouragement going around.

I have both heard and been guilty of having two responses to these struggles, neither of which have been terribly helpful. So, since I am not without sin, I cannot cast the first stone and that’s not what I’m here to do anyway. Instead, I hope to work through these responses and try to find some common, middle ground between the points of view and hopefully provide a small means of encouragement.

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