dos' and don'ts' of how to survive...

...the unexpected state of depression that smacks you from all sides while in the ____ week of graduate school and leaves you upright when all you want is to be horizontal under a cushy duvet with the heat from the MacBook Pro warming your cold cold chest as you cry from an episode of Ugly Betty.

I am a survivor of the unexpected...

Here's what I learned.

1. Do not join Okcupid
2. Don't talk too much, actually don't talk at all.
3. Dial friends before the "unexpected state of depression that smacks..." don't wait until you're :( to talk to someone, talk to them when you're ;) this way you don't shrink-a-fy them and they see a holistic perspective of your life! - as you do as well!!!
4. Do try to spend as much time outdoors
5. Don't use defensive language: "I hate how they don't have city-wide composting here, but at least I am composting on my own outside." Instead, simply say, "YAY!! I'm stoked, I'm composting in my backyard."
6. Do not meet new people (This ain't the right time - just being smacked is not your high point)
7. Do engage and shamelessly glorify in simple tasks such as grocery shopping. It will lift your spirits more than you know.
8. Don't expect anything from anyone. If you don't have expectations, no one will let you down and everything will be a pleasant surprise.
9. Do put your futon in couch-mode right when you wake up. This prevents OD-ing on the 14-hour-netflix horizontal position.
10. Do not call your mom. She can tell from the tone of your voice and will start asking questions which could sink you deeper into the state of depression that smacks...
10. Hang out with safe/hilarious 18-24 year old boys (or men that act that way) they provide healthy doses of simple yet necessary laughter! (warning: any age older may lead to fatal attractions)
11. Do not party. Don't even try.
12. Do limit your nacho and Diet Sprite intake to every other day (at least try)
13. SUCK IT UP, it ain't all that bad, you're not living in Fresno
14. Do NOT go to Target.
15. Do not surround yourself with perky/overly outwardly happy people.
16. Do surround yourself with neutral or mellow happy people
17. Do pet as many dogs as you can
18. DO NOT visit airline websites. DO NOT buy airline tickets.
19. Do not do things you "think will make me feel better."
20. Just Do things. Period.
21 and 1/2 pray out loud. You'll sound ridiculous or legit. Either way you're voicing your fears, wants, etc. and saying/hearing it releases ownership, creates self-empathy, transfers the burden, and ultimately lowers the severity!