Act

I woke up today feeling down. It stayed down pretty much until I hit the gym. I also applied for a bunch of jobs after lunch, that definitely helped my mood. I know I can usually find relief when I finish, accomplish something, or when I do something about feeling low. I discover my mood always gets worse when I just think about the stress, think about not having a job. The more I focus on the negativity the darker and deeper my mood dives.

Self-pity is always the easiest and the quickest shortcut to depression. Feeling victimized, feeling unworthy, feeling alone, I can go on and on. This is the mind game I step into frequently these days, but can never win if I keep on staying. So I tell myself, act, regardless what action I take, be it exercising at the gym, or applying for jobs, or chatting with my neighbor, anything to stop sitting, dwelling on thoughts, and riding that fast train into destination darkness. Act or distract, that's my own remedy for curing minor depression.

Of course, my neighbor fed me again this afternoon. She made rice and stuffed chicken with green beans. It was so delicious. I felt lucky, and very thankful. Thanks Caretas.