The Depressive Takeover

The following short story is a creative piece that aims to show the reader my depressive thought process on a typical day. The piece is written in four parts and displays how my thought process worsened during this last year. The piece also contains philosophic elements; I criticize our culture’s obsession with being optimistic, and how it alienates those with depression (or with any negative commentary) as a result. I was inspired to write and share this work in an effort to show readers a sense of relatability through the feelings and observations that I have experienced. This is relevant to mental health (the topic of the month), as depression is a common occurrence among.

Happiness is fleeting.

(Beep) (Beep). The alarm clock sounds. Grudgingly, you flop out of bed and shut it off. Another day begins.

As you get dressed, a stream of thoughts come rushing into your head with all the things you have to do today. You glance at your agenda, but only for a moment, as you do not wish to be reminded of what lies ahead.

As you pack your bag, your anxiety makes its first round of the day. While doing mental calculations another 20 minutes pass by. “Shit” you mutter to yourself. “I’m always so slow, why am I like this?” Eventually, you have wasted so much time, that you gather everything you need in one quick swoop, and head out the…