Dec 29 2008
Year End Often Brings Depression
Year End Often Brings Depression
I don’t think I am unique by any means in expressing some sadness at each year’s end. Amongst older folks particularly, the end of another year brings mixed feelings.
I know we mostly appreciate still being here to see the end of another year, and while this should be somewhat uplifting, it often isn’t. The end of another year often serves to remind us that:
1. We are getting older and older and time seems to be passing faster and faster.
2. Our children are so involved in their own lives and problems that they often have little time for us other than to remember their “duty” to call us or at least send a Christmas card.
3. It is the flu season and pneumonia season and the cold season, all of which affect us older folks with more frequency and severity than the younger generations.
4. The cold temperatures demand that we give our aches and pains, bones and joints and muscles, more attention. Keeping warm and medicated seems to take WAY too much time and effort. I’m already looking forward to spring.
5. Finally, the end of the year means we have survived yet another holiday season, which is often the most depressing time of the year.
This past year, like most recent years, have brought more sadness than joy. There were more deaths than births, more cancer than cures, more war than peace, more conflict than compromise, more confrontation than cooperation.
Additionally, on a personal side, I always felt a great sense of accomplishment in my work and career. In retirement, merely reaching the end of another year just doesn’t bring a lot of satisfaction.
I understand totally where you are coming from and it’s even worse spending the Holiday Season away from Family and Loved ones. I feel my bones aching more in the winter too. I must admit though aging has also brought me challenges and now I do tai ji every morning I feel better now than what I did a year ago.