Draco Malfoy & My Lack of Poly-Fil
I’ve been lax in posting because I have been so unbelievably productive lately. I mentioned it at my therapy session this week, and I think part of it is because spring has sprung, so to speak, and there’s green in the trees and everything isn’t cold and miserable. I forget that even though my depression was caused by a traumatic brain injury, that doesn’t preclude me from being affected by seasonal depression as well. Nothing is more fun for the holiday season than double depression.
The brighter weather has brought out my more optimistic side (Optimistic Me is hardly ever seen when I’m in the depths of my depressive states; it’s been nice having her around) and I’ve been knocking out projects left, right, and center. I’ve readjusted the blackout curtains in our bedroom to block out even more light, got the tires rotated on our car, written overdue thank-you notes to out-of-state in-laws, and finished an enormous sewing project that’s made me a little money already. It’s like KC Davis says in “How to Keep House While Drowning:” getting things done leads to more motivation to get things done.
The only problem with being so damn productive is that it’s cut in to my reading and dancing time. I wasn’t able to attend barre class this week because I was dropping off my completed sewing project, and I can’t very well pedal away on the stationary bike when my foot is dealing with the sewing machine pedal. I have, however, finished an audiobook that’s been lingering patiently in my queue: “Beyond the Wand: The Magic & Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard” by Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies. I’ve always loved behind-the-scenes stories, and to hear the experiences of a child actor who got to work with so many iconic British performers was really enjoyable.
I didn’t know anything about Tom Felton before listening to this book, but having finished it, I have a great deal of respect for him. He spends the later chapters of the book recounting his issues with addiction and mental health. He states that he’s sharing his experiences in rehab in an attempt to help remove the stigma and shame from seeking help, and I think that’s a wonderful thing to do. I try to do the same thing with my depression and anxiety, to talk about them openly and not hide them or pretend they aren’t there. Mental health is a part of life and nothing to be ashamed of. We don’t feel ashamed of saying, “I have a headache,” and taking pain reliever; we shouldn’t feel ashamed of saying, “Most days I’m sad, and it’s hard to get out of bed,” and taking antidepressants.
The last productive thing I did made me pause until I can restock. I cut out the pattern pieces to make two stuffed animals, and then it dawned on me… I have exactly one gallon-size ziplock bag of poly-fil. Can’t make stuffed animals without stuffing! Alas, this project must wait for another day.
