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When You Are Depressed, Make Something

byrslf.co

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Re: When You Are Depressed, Make Something

#61

Post by HeyLaughingBoy »

paulpauper wrote: post #14

The problem with trying to create something is once you begin to work hard at it, you realize that you're not very good and others have done it far better than you. I have notice this a lot with math.I will work on a problem and then a Google search later reveals that the problem is not only completely solved but in a way that is far better than I could have ever conceived. Another problem is when you run out of idea…

Then deliberately set your standards low. I used to have a "bad art night" where I'd create something, no matter how crappy, just to say I'd done it.

Perfect is the enemy of good; good is the enemy of good enough.

Re: When You Are Depressed, Make Something

#63

Post by tetraodonpuffer »

treehau5 wrote: post #30
paulpauper wrote: post #14

The problem with trying to create something is once you begin to work hard at it, you realize that you're not very good and others have done it far better than you. I have notice this a lot with math.I will work on a problem and then a Google search later reveals that the problem is not only completely solved but in a way that is far better than I could have ever conceived. Another problem is when you run out of idea…

The problem comes with how you define success. Do you define it as how your answer or creation measures up to everyone else, or do you define it as you made significant progress in a field you had very little prior experience with. In my math escapades, it's linear algebra, for you it may be differential calculus, etc. Basically if you always measure success in comparisons to others, you are always going to be disapp…

> every human has the same potential for amazing learning, the only difference between those seemingly geniuses with perfect answers that solve problems in a way you could never conceive, is they practiced more, and thought about it more.

I completely disagree, and I think this attitude, which I find more prevalent in North America, is at the root of a lot of depression and feelings of lack of self worth. It's the same as saying that "person X is more successful than person Y because they wanted it more / worked harder at it"

In the end we do not have all the same brain, and we do not have all the same capabilities, thinking that we do in my opinion makes it a lot more likely to develop feelings of lack of self worth (I still suck at this, it must be my fault)

Re: When You Are Depressed, Make Something

#64

Post by jyriand »

HeyLaughingBoy wrote: post #61
paulpauper wrote: post #14

The problem with trying to create something is once you begin to work hard at it, you realize that you're not very good and others have done it far better than you. I have notice this a lot with math.I will work on a problem and then a Google search later reveals that the problem is not only completely solved but in a way that is far better than I could have ever conceived. Another problem is when you run out of idea…

Then deliberately set your standards low. I used to have a "bad art night" where I'd create something, no matter how crappy, just to say I'd done it. Perfect is the enemy of good; good is the enemy of good enough.

That's how I used to get over writers block. I just start off with deliberately writing crap.

Re: When You Are Depressed, Make Something

#65

Post by tlb »

paulpauper wrote: post #14

The problem with trying to create something is once you begin to work hard at it, you realize that you're not very good and others have done it far better than you. I have notice this a lot with math.I will work on a problem and then a Google search later reveals that the problem is not only completely solved but in a way that is far better than I could have ever conceived. Another problem is when you run out of idea…

Most of the world's great ideas came from doing something that seemed derivative or insignificant at first. Very few came from waiting for a huge, original idea to strike like a lightning bolt.

This fact surprises many people, because popular reporting of science and invention usually attributes ideas to some instant flash of insight, skipping over the hard work that led to it.

Re: When You Are Depressed, Make Something

#66

Post by sporkenfang »

paulpauper wrote: post #14

The problem with trying to create something is once you begin to work hard at it, you realize that you're not very good and others have done it far better than you. I have notice this a lot with math.I will work on a problem and then a Google search later reveals that the problem is not only completely solved but in a way that is far better than I could have ever conceived. Another problem is when you run out of idea…

Don't do the Google search until you're ready to check your answer, and even then don't copy anything you find. It's better for your growth and learning to work the answer out yourself. Not only that, sounds like it's better for your mindset to come to a complete conclusion and then compare instead of getting stuck on how other people have done things. You'll learn how to refine your work eventually, but for now "the problem is completely solved" means essentially nothing. Sounds like your current work is homework for when you start pushing boundaries. This is getting rambly, but maybe you'd benefit from a Coursera class or two in math and then maybe a graduate university night course?

Re: When You Are Depressed, Make Something

#67

Post by ohstopitu »

The number of times I have that I felt I could do better - and then I start working on it, get 80% done, but then I struggle with the next 20% - and then almost burnout and give up and feel depressed because I'll never be able to do anything in life, is just insane.

Then I start wondering - what is all of this for? and what's the entire point of even living?

Talking to people does not help either (as it is, I'm not very social and then to add to that, most friends would have a general response along the lines of "oh wow...look at you and your problems", talking to parents is worse - they'll tell me to pray and that's how life is - which I refuse to accept).

Distractions are the only thing that has helped me yet - I distract myself with almost anything I can find - games, cars, tv shows, movies - just so I don't think of anything else.

I write this because, as the author mentions "Make something" - the will to make something disappears. Which is why distractions help.

Re: When You Are Depressed, Make Something

#68

Post by JTon »

oldopsguy wrote: post #50
treehau5 wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem comes with how you define success. Do you define it as how your answer or creation measures up to everyone else, or do you define it as you made significant progress in a field you had very little prior experience with. In my math escapades, it's linear algebra, for you it may be differential calculus, etc. Basically if you always measure success in comparisons to others, you are always going to be disapp…

I think comparing is inevitable.. going through a lot of this now personally and sometimes i wonder how much a factor is the size of the pond you swim in.

I agree comparing with others is inevitable. I also think you can derive joy and satisfaction in comparing against your self (i.e. your previous work). Admire your improvements, however small, and pat yourself on the back for having persistence. It might seem hollow/shallow, but I really believe it's a powerful way to frame skill-building.

Re: When You Are Depressed, Make Something

#70

Post by agumonkey »

keeptrying wrote: post #35

When you are depressed 1. talk to people who care about you - face to face at every meal if possible but at least at every lunch if not. Be around other people and interact with them. Join communities where performance is not needed but people are thankful if you just show up. 2. do small tiny things. Eg: buy and cook eggs and eat them, clean your apartment. As you do slightly bigger things, do things for other peopl…

Two things I've noticed that are surprisingly small but significant:

- leaving your home - talk to people

They switch your mind off some inner loop. As an ex loner that loop was my favorite mode, but abused you end up grumpy, acid, somehow depressed.

Just being on the move changes that. And talking to people even short polite chit chat will feed your brain with .. I don't know .. negative entropy ? external energy that refull your mind in more efficient ways that most your lonely activities, even those you love (music, painting, reading, programming).

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