My experience with Depression - Lessons from the Longest Night of the year

Introspection, Vol. 6

A few days ago, December 22th to be precise, the Winter Solstice marked the shortest day and longest night in the Northern Hemisphere. While some may associate it with pagan practices, for me, it's just an opportunity to connect with nature and draw valuable lessons from its cyclical patterns. On this particular day, the Northern Hemisphere is at its farthest point from the sun, resulting in a prolonged night. Yet, with the turning of this cosmic wheel, the days gradually start to grow longer, increasing by approximately one minute each day. It's a time when daylight is in short supply, but it also marks the beginning of a subtle shift—the gradual lengthening of days, with each passing day gaining about one minute more sunlight.

Contemplating this cosmic event, I can't help but draw parallels to the challenges we face in our personal lives, the dark times that often accompany crises, anxiety, or depressive episodes. Emerging from these periods, it's easy to feel stuck, as if progress i…