Black Dog

Depression is like a dog who’s constantly barking and biting at your heel

Because of social distancing due to COVID, depression and other forms of mental disease is on the rise. If your not suffering I’m sure you know someone who is.

When the lockdown in my city was firmly in place downtown Ottawa seemed like a ghost town, sort of like a scene from the Walking Dead. The trendy shops, book stores and restaurants were closed. The Canadian hustle and flow of the Byward Market was reduced to crickets, and the packed city buses were deserted. I wouldn’t be surprised if I saw a tumbleweed blowing in the wind.

I wish I could tell you I was emotionally immuned but it got to me. Seeing everyone wearing masks and keeping at a safe distance. For a person who feeds off the energy of other earthlings isolation could be a deathnail. I don’t mean to sound like a drama queen but it’s true.

I kind of long for a packed city bus again, are you like me? To be honest I noticed myself slipping into dark mental places. It’s hard to cheer yourself up with Netflix and stupid cat videos on Youtube when it feels like the world is coming to an end.

It really comes down to a matter of perspective and unplugging from social media. I don’t have all the answers, not even the “experts” have all the answers. We all like to be in control, I know I do, and the fear is a loss of control. Maybe it’s okay not to have all the answers.

I wrote this episode not because I have overcome the Black Dog but I’m still going through it and by the grace of God one day I will overcome these negative and destructive thoughts.

Contact:

The best place to get a hold of me is on twitter @poeticearthling. I post pictures, crazy ideas and the occasional poem. Please feel free to reach out to me and share your thoughts about this episode.

Music:

All music is licensed by Epidemic Sound

Thank You

I mentioned the interview with the Podcast Insider please follow the link to give it a listen.