Anybody else get down in the dumps?

Tom Shortridge

Tom Shortridge

Well-known member
As much as I'd like to turn that into a joke about having sex in the junkyard, I just can't.

Lately, I've just been down. I dunno why. My job's getting stressful, but it's a good stressful, because I'm actually busy, and I'm editing video for a living, it's somethign I love doing. This Friday, I'm going to the "premiere" of this movie I acted in. I just did the 48 Hour Film Project, where I met some kickass people who I'm gonna be working on a short with for TwilightFest. I'm working on a feature script, it's kinda got me at a standstill right now, but I know as soon as I get over this hump, it'll write itself. I'm getting married in October.

I don't know, it feels like even though I've been doing more narrative film stuff this summer than I ever have, I don't have any confidence in my abilities - writing, shooting, acting, communicating with people - again, I don't know. Just down.

Anybody else go through this? If you do, how do you deal? If you don't, friggin tell me to buck up and get back on the horse, or whatever. I'm open to any suggestions.

I'm not looking for a pity-party, because nothing's really wrong. Just looking for any advice you might have.

Thanks in advance, everybody.
 
Take a day off. Go to a park, the beach, nearby mountains, whatever. Reflect on all of this:

My job's getting stressful, but it's a good stressful, because I'm actually busy, and I'm editing video for a living, it's somethign I love doing. This Friday, I'm going to the "premiere" of this movie I acted in. I just did the 48 Hour Film Project, where I met some kickass people who I'm gonna be working on a short with for TwilightFest. I'm working on a feature script, it's kinda got me at a standstill right now, but I know as soon as I get over this hump, it'll write itself. I'm getting married in October.
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...and realize that if you didn't have some strong writing, acting, editing, shooting, relationship (and more, I'm sure) skills, you wouldn't have accomplished these things this year. Sounds like everything is going pretty well - that can be just as overwhelming as everything going wrong sometimes.
 
dopeyname101 said:
As much as I'd like to turn that into a joke about having sex in the junkyard, I just can't.

Lately, I've just been down. I dunno why. My job's getting stressful, but it's a good stressful, because I'm actually busy, and I'm editing video for a living, it's somethign I love doing. This Friday, I'm going to the "premiere" of this movie I acted in. I just did the 48 Hour Film Project, where I met some kickass people who I'm gonna be working on a short with for TwilightFest. I'm working on a feature script, it's kinda got me at a standstill right now, but I know as soon as I get over this hump, it'll write itself. I'm getting married in October.

I don't know, it feels like even though I've been doing more narrative film stuff this summer than I ever have, I don't have any confidence in my abilities - writing, shooting, acting, communicating with people - again, I don't know. Just down.

Anybody else go through this? If you do, how do you deal? If you don't, friggin tell me to buck up and get back on the horse, or whatever. I'm open to any suggestions.

I'm not looking for a pity-party, because nothing's really wrong. Just looking for any advice you might have.

Thanks in advance, everybody.
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Whenever I feel like I'm slipping into a funk, I run. It's the only thing that works for me. And I notice I usually get depressed when I don't exercise enough, and of course, being depressed, I don't want to work out.
 
Batutta said:
Whenever I feel like I'm slipping into a funk, I run. It's the only thing that works for me. And I notice I usually get depressed when I don't exercise enough, and of course, being depressed, I don't want to work out.
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You know what? I think you hit the nail on the head. I had been exercising pretty regularly, but then last week, I was out in Houston on a shoot, and I didn't have time to get any exercise in.

That might just do the trick. Thanks, man.
 
running is the greatest thing ever, nothing clears your mind, or rather can help you focus on something like running.
 
exercise and eating well do it for me. I still eat a bunch of crap but make a point to limit how much I eat and try eat as much "good for you" food as I can. And stay hydrated. I'm down to 1-2 caffeinated drinks a day and havent felt this good in a long time. And also dont hesitate to go see a doctor if you think you have depression. I've been through several bouts that have been stress induced and some meds made a world of difference. And its not like you have to get on some heavy duty med that will turn you into a zombie. Plenty of drugs that are combo anti-anxiety/anti depression that can really change things without doping you up, getting you high etc. And for its been a situational thing. Went through it right before I got married and spent a few months on lexapro. Was able to slowly ween myself off as life calmed down a bit and all is good. But going out and just making a point to enjoy life a bit and get some exercise is a great place to start.
 
Yeah, don't discount depression. It's a chemical imbalance in the brain. It hits you and you just can't put your finger on what is causing it in your life - and the reason you can't, is because it is internal, not external... just a chemical imbalance. There is no shame in seeking help for it - just as if you had a cut on your finger, you wouldn't be reluctant to put a band aid on, same here... if there's an imbalance in brain chemicals, there's no reason why you shouldn't re-balance them.

Of course, I'm not suggesting this as first resort - go take a mini-vacation, relax, exercise, eat right etc., but if you need help don't hesitate to get in touch with a doc. Depression is a nasty thing, and it can spiral your life down the drain... don't let it, there's no reason you should.

Good luck!
 
I hear ya.

Right now, nothing's going well enough. Can't train on my bicycles because of a hernia. I hate surgery, but that's where it's headed in 2 weeks. Don't know what I'm doing with video work (everything feels like guessing), but I know that's just the novice in me. I have no particular upcoming videos in mind. I'd like another job in video, but they're H-A-R-D to come by locally, and they don't pay worth a ****. So, I won't leave my factory job because it pays too well to quit. If I get a supervisor position there, it won't be so bad I guess because I'll be using my college degree. Who knows.
 
Ugh, don't get me started with depression.

Clinically depressed for two years. Sought help a year into it when it was almost too late. I was basically dead.

Medication for a year. And I am back up and running. Trust me - it sucks. It suck hardcore. But at least you have a support system - and that is the most important thing.
 
When I was eating a regular diet, I would be bummed out all the time. I've switched to a low carb diet, eating less than 35 grams of carbs a day, and I feel fantastic. Nothing seems to bring me down.
 
dopeyname101 said:
As much as I'd like to turn that into a joke about having sex in the junkyard, I just can't.

Lately, I've just been down. I dunno why. My job's getting stressful, but it's a good stressful, because I'm actually busy, and I'm editing video for a living, it's somethign I love doing. This Friday, I'm going to the "premiere" of this movie I acted in. I just did the 48 Hour Film Project, where I met some kickass people who I'm gonna be working on a short with for TwilightFest. I'm working on a feature script, it's kinda got me at a standstill right now, but I know as soon as I get over this hump, it'll write itself. I'm getting married in October.

I don't know, it feels like even though I've been doing more narrative film stuff this summer than I ever have, I don't have any confidence in my abilities - writing, shooting, acting, communicating with people - again, I don't know. Just down.

Anybody else go through this? If you do, how do you deal? If you don't, friggin tell me to buck up and get back on the horse, or whatever. I'm open to any suggestions.

I'm not looking for a pity-party, because nothing's really wrong. Just looking for any advice you might have.

Thanks in advance, everybody.
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Consider yourself lucky. The first girl I ever fell in love with left me, I can't find a job, Have no financial means of ever properly shooting a script I've written, and have pretty much lost my only good friend. if you ever feel down to the point of it actually making you sit down and think about it, just get out and ride a bike, run, jog, something like that, it helps a lot.
 
Fohdeesha said:
Consider yourself lucky. The first girl I ever fell in love with left me, I can't find a job, Have no financial means of ever properly shooting a script I've written, and have pretty much lost my only good friend. if you ever feel down to the point of it actually making you sit down and think about it, just get out and ride a bike, run, jog, something like that, it helps a lot.
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Man! Can I ever sympathize???

Having a horrible, end-of-the-world kind of night myself. Have to work all night (3rd shift). Got all my work done, so now I have about 4 hours to do nothing but sit by myself in this room and eat myself alive over things. Got arthritis bad enough in the ankle and knees that jogging, running, even walking are pretty much out, so exercise ain't gonna happen. It's one of those dark, dark nights that make you wonder how you're going to keep going on.

I bet none of that helps a bit, does it?
 
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