Depression is something that many people deal with. I got diagnosed with it a couple years ago, and while I've certainly been able to manage it better with the help of therapy and medication, I certainly still find myself struggling once in a while. If you are a writer who struggles to write when depressed, you might find this thread helpful.
Try reading if you don't struggle either, because this can also help for those of you have lack having motivation to write!
Don't force yourself to write
More often than not, we as writers find ourselves thinking that we have to write every single day to "be a writer." That is not the case. Sure, it's great to write every single day, but if you find yourself struggling to write, then don't do it!
Now, this doesn't mean "don't write at all." Because, you SHOULD try and write. But, if you're having an extra hard day and just can't get yourself to write, don't ridicule yourself.
Instead of setting a time for when you should write, try and get yourself to write whenever you think about your book. Whatever ideas you have in your head about the story, write them down somewhere, whether it be in your notes app, on an index card etc. Every idea might help inspire something great in your story, and it's best to keep track of little scenes and pieces of dialogue.
Talk to your writer friends
I find that most of my inspiration for writing when I'm feeling really low is actually Instagram. More often than not I find myself scrolling through memes and looking at other writers and their advice. (Specifically @/fictionalturtlenecks because she's the best. I'll tag her in case you want to look at her account because she's a huge inspiration of mine. Great energy!)
Genuinely, just looking at what other people can do can either be a positive or negative thing. Here's what you DON'T do.
Don't compare yourself to other writers. That is a horrible thing to do regardless of whether or not you struggle with depression or any other mental illness.
Just that. Instead of comparing yourself to others, try and talk with them. Interact with their posts. Stuff like that. I was in a pretty bad place a couple weeks ago, but I finally started commenting on some instagram posts about my characters and I've actually been able to write about my story!
Take any writing as a win!
If you write 20 words for the first time in days, weeks, or months, that is a big accomplishment. As I stated previously: You don't need to write every day to be a writer.
Any amount of writing is a win when you struggle with depression.
Praise yourself for writing anything at all.
Because, honestly, writing one sentence can help you start up again. All you have to do is try.
So, ich habe immer noch nichts wirklich geschrieben und so langsam kommt die Angst/Panik. Ich werde jetzt versuchen wenigstens jeden Abend eine Stunde in den Büchern die ich ausgeliehen habe, zu lesen. Das wäre immerhin schon etwas. Und dann möchte ich nächstes Wochenende schreiben. Erst in der Bibliothek und dann zu Hause. Und das möchte ich dann die Woche darauf auch noch machen. Um dann Weihnachten zu feiern und nach Weihnachten weiter zu schreiben. Ich muss nämlich schreiben. Sonst wird das nichts. Und es soll ja was werden.
