As I write this entry, I have just returned from a long weekend to celebrate Christmas with some of my family. During the road trip I also got to see a few of my oldest and dearest friends, and it felt so good to see some of my favorite people in the world all in one trip. And, while it was great to catch up a little bit, it always seems inevitable that seeing old friends and family gets me to thinking about the past.
What could I say about the past that hasn’t already been said? Of course, my own past is unique to me, and that is honestly mostly what I will touch on today. What is it about the past that makes me so pensive? Why does it seem to make me sad sometimes? Do I ever believe that the past signifies better times in my life? Is my past better than my present? Is it better than my future? I typically like to think that life just keeps getting better, but sometimes I wonder…
However, I think that is where I stop. I wonder, but I don’t try to relive my past. What I do try think about are the fun things and the good things that have happened, and I see if I can incorporate some of that into my present life. For example, I love 80s music, so that is constantly in my life. I also loved rainbows growing up, and I continue to surround myself with those.
If you are struggling with depression, maybe looking at the past does not help your situation, especially if it might have in some way led to the depression. However, if this is the case, it might be helpful to think about what you would love to look back on in the future that makes you smile and enjoy some memories. It may sound simplistic, but connecting with the good things in your past (or your anticipated past) may be a helpful technique for thinking about depression.