Depression Filters, 9

You do not need to change your depression filter. Sometimes you are depressed for good, human reasons. Might you learn to tolerate your depression filter and continue with what matters most to you. Journal Prompt: Even with a depression filter, I want to...

Depression Filters, 8

Like a doctored photo, your depression filter manipulates what you see. Journal Prompts: With a depression filter I see... Without a depression filter I see...

Depression Filters, 7

A depressive response to a terrible experience is healthy and appropriate. It is the machinelike response we force that makes us unwell. Journal Prompts: My sanitized response is... My unsanitized response is...

Depression Filters, 6

Depression displayed on the outside can vary a lot from the inside, lived experience. Depression notoriously can appear flat and disconnected, yet, on the inside, be a mosh pit of chaos and news tickers. Journal Prompts: On the outside I seem... On the inside I am...

Depression Filters, 5

Depression filters hide anger that has turned inward. That stale anger needs to see the light of day for relief. Journal Prompts: My anger needs to air out... The anger that has turned inward is directed at...

Depression Filters, 4

Depression filters deceive. They claim narrow options and no outlets. Journal Prompts: I need a way out to... I wish I could untangle...

Depression Filters, 3

A depression filter pushes you inward to the emotional fetal position. It brings out our selfish, not because of a moral failing, but because all energy is preserved for survival

Depression Filters, 2

Depression filters are your no stretch, tight jeans. They offer no favors. Stiff. They have little flexibility in how they interpret the world.

Depression Filters, 1

Depression filters are like the audio recording on the airport shuttle. It’s the same thing, right on time, every time, no nuance.

Journal Prompts for the Past

Is the past important to process? Or is it a torture chamber of your rumination, harrassing you with shame and disappointment? Processing the past finds advantage when it is blocking your current living. It feels particularly unhelpful when it is a mixed tape on repeat, playing only to punish. Journal Prompt: I still need to process... I need to leave behind...