Sometimes
my favorite activity
is to pretend
that I’m not depressed
just to make you
even more depressed.
I’m not nice,
but I’m no longer depressed.
I hope that it cheers you up
that you’re helping this way.
You should try it.
Then maybe neither of us
would be depressed.
I could express sympathy for you,
and lavish you with attention,
but then you’d only want more,
which doesn’t help you long term.
Nope,
you’ve gotta figure out
how to feel happy
without help from anyone.
You’ve gotta pretend so hard
that you actually believe it.
Trail Wood,
12/18
In this expression, we delve into the complexities of human emotion, the dance of pretense and reality. The act of pretending not to be depressed, while seemingly a game, touches upon deeper layers of coping and interaction.
The Dance of Pretense and Reality
The notion of deriving solace from the pretense of happiness, as a means to affect others, is a labyrinthine path. It reflects a nuanced understanding of human relationships and the intricate ways we influence each other’s emotional landscapes.
Influencing Emotional Landscapes
The admission of not being nice, juxtaposed with the cessation of depression, offers a stark, unvarnished glimpse into the psyche. It’s an acknowledgment of the complexity of human nature, where kindness and self-preservation often engage in a delicate ballet.
The Complexity of Human Nature
The suggestion that one’s recovery could be a source of cheer for another is intriguing. It implies a shared journey in the realm of emotions, where the wellbeing of one can radiate, impacting the other.
Shared Emotional Journeys
The idea of not expressing sympathy or lavishing attention to avoid fostering dependency introduces a thought-provoking perspective on support and its long-term implications. It suggests a belief in the power of self-reliance and the importance of finding internal sources of happiness.
The Balance of Support and Self-Reliance
The advice to figure out how to be happy without external help, and to believe in one’s pretense of happiness until it becomes reality, is a compelling concept. It speaks to the power of the mind in shaping our emotional states and the potential of self-induced transformation.
The Power of Self-Induced Transformation
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
We explore the notion of pretending not to be depressed as a coping mechanism and its impact on others. This approach reflects a complex understanding of human emotions and interactions, emphasizing the importance of self-reliance and the power of belief in transforming emotional states.
Glossarium
- Whimsiword: A playful and creative combination of whimsy and words.
- Tapestry: A metaphor for the intricate weave of life’s experiences. (Note: Replaced with whimsiword in our discourse.)
“The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human can alter his life by altering his attitude.” – William James
In the mask of joy, we sometimes hide,
Behind the veils, where truths abide.
In this dance of shadows and light,
We find our strength, our inner might.
With each pretend, a seed is sown,
In the fields of mind, where happiness is grown.
In this whimsiword of life, we find,
The power of thought to transform the mind.
We invite you to share your perspectives on the role of pretense, self-reliance, and the power of belief in emotional wellbeing.
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