getting back on track

[howsmyenglish]

So. I've decided that only active measures can help against depression (be it as mild as it may). Yoga every morning, cartoons with breakfast, large and tasty cup of coffee to finish off in front of the computer while already working on the diss. Working on the diss. Cooking when there's no food, cleaning the kitchen when it's dirty, cleaning everything else, lighting the fire in the evenings (that's our main source of heating in the living room). And dressing. When you work at home, it's so easy to just walk around in anything you like, and when it's cold (and it is) I just put on lots of fluffy stuff and end up wanting to hide from people, because comfy and warm as it is, it makes me look like a pile of questionably clean clothes. So, dressing. Combing the hair, putting on some make-up. You know. Just enough to be able to look into the mirror and not go "bwah!"
It's day four. And a Friday. I've allowed myself to start working in my pajamas today, and tomorrow will be a no-diss-day. This is how I intend to live through February and the first half of March. Wish me luck? :)
Also, any cartoon recs?

Comments

[draculard]

Honestly seems like a solid approach to depression to me; that's the sort of stuff I do, too (I like to watch the 90s Moomins cartoon on YouTube. And Looney Tunes. Looney Tunes rocks).

Btw it took me a good minute to figure out that you were talking about a dissertation and not like ... a diss track. If you ARE talking about a diss track, though, PLEASE let me know and also give me the dirt on who you're dissing!

[howsmyenglish]

You live you learn - I've never heard of diss tracks! :D I actually have a "phd" tag, just forgot to use it - it's been so long.

Thanks for the cartoon recs! Tomorrow will start with Moomins!

[mtassarin]

My favorite cartoons these days are The Dragon Prince, Trollhunters, Gravity Falls, The Hollow, and older ones like Wunshpunsh and Princess Sissi. Maybe some of these will be to your liking, provided you haven't seen all of them already of course. :)

[howsmyenglish]

Thank you! I'll definitely try them all out. For now, Wunschpunsch attracted my attention, episode one was fun! :)

[thanatos_kalos]

When I was in the thick of my dissertation writing, I always made sure to go for a walk every two or three days. That let me get out of the flat, get some exercise, talk to people who weren't my supervisor or other students, and just generally relax a bit. :)

For cartoons, I like Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, Invader ZIM, Camp Camp and the various DC animated comics series by Paul Dini. They're all very dark-humoured (and the Dini shows are dramas) but I really enjoy them. :)

[howsmyenglish]

Yes, walking is... good... though I don't know how it'll help me talk to people, I am not one for addressing people on the street ;) But you're right, what I need not to forget is getting out of the house.
I'll try out the cartoons, thanks!

[spindle_ella]

Good luck :)

I've found active measures works best for me.

[howsmyenglish]

Thanks! :)

[moth2fic]

Good luck - and maybe you need to invest in an Oodie, or (like me) a cheaper lookalike. Oversized fluff that really does keep you warm but looks respectable if someone comes to the door.

Animation rather than cartoon - but I recommend the Wallace and Gromit series and the spin-off Shaun the Sheep.

[howsmyenglish]

Wallace and Gromit are my favorites, they're what I've been watching the last couple of mornings! Is there a principal difference between "animation" and "cartoon"? Are cartoons necessarily US?

[moth2fic]

Not sure about US usage but in UK we normally expect cartoons to be drawn - on paper, screen, whatever. Animations use small models which are moved around. The fact that they are then filmed blurs the lines a little.

[howsmyenglish]

Interesting! It never mattered to me whether they're drawn or not. I love Aardman animations, but I doubt that I'd like them less if they were drawn... nicely drawn... with all those details...

[moth2fic]

The word 'cartoon' was originally (in Italian) used to refer to the paper or parchment on which a drawing was produced. Then it became the word for the drawing itself - you'll find some of e.g. Da Vinci's work referred to as cartoons which of course have nothing to do with modern cartoons and are simply drafts or drawings. Then along came films that were based on drawings repeated so that they appeared animated and the word was applied to them. So cartoons for most people mean something drawn and initially two dimensional. Animation assumes some three dimensional item is being made to appear animated.

[howsmyenglish]

Sure, I got that :) I just meant that for me as a consumer it's not really of importance whether the funny looking beings that pretend to be real were drawn or sculptured, in essence they're fulfilling the same goal. But I see now that it does make a difference to other people :D

[moth2fic]

It certainly makes a difference to me, and I suspect to a lot of people, about what I expect to see when I'm told I'm about to watch a cartoon! I would be bewildered if Wallace and Gromit came on the screen!

[kat_lair]

Just been catching up and just wanted to wish you well both with dealing with your emotions re your grandma and her situation, and your proactive approach to depression. Can relate to the not wanting to get dressed thing. I do have to leave the house several times during a normal week so I'm being forgiving to myself about it when I don't.

[howsmyenglish]

Thank you! It's the same with me during the semester, but during semester break I mostly only need to leave the house to get supplies..:)