I Mean, If It Works . . . (Luci)

When I’m too depressed to function, I treat myself kind of like a Sim. If you don't know anything about The Sims, Sims are . . . well, they aren't exactly good at doing what you want them to do. 

Cook Meal. Nope, too complicated. Things in path. I don't like this. Cancel action.

Alright then.

Go Here. Going. Stand behind counter. Okay. Prepare, Grilled Cheese, 1 Serving. Alright. Doable. Step one, get pan. Step two, put pan on stove. Step three, turn heat on. Step four, get bread and cheese. Step five, put 2 bread slices on pen. Step six. Put cheese on bread. Step seven. Put other bread slice on top. Step eight. Wait. Step nine. Done. No plates, who needs plates.

I’m not a robot or a computer simulation, at least I don’t think I am, but it really is helpful for me to break actions down into steps that are so unbelievably simple that you don’t even need to think about it. General rule of thumb: If you need to think about what you’re doing, that step is too complicated. Try again.

What is step one for doing laundry? Putting clothes into the washer? Okay, but where are my clothes? Nope, too complicated of a step. Action cancelled. Try again. Go Here. Okay. Pick Up Laundry Hamper. Okay. Go Here. Okay. Stand In Front of Washer. Okay. Put Down Hamper. Okay. Open Washer Door. Okay. Open Hamper. Okay. Move Clothes From Hamper To Washer. Okay. Close Washer Door. Okay. Open Soap Compartment. Okay. Pick Up Detergent Cup. Okay. Fill With Soap to First Line. Okay. Put Soap in Soap Compartment. Okay. Close Soap Compartment. Okay. Press Start Button. Okay. Put Detergent Cup Down. Okay. Done.

As nonsensical as it sounds, it works when I’m depressed. Hey, if it works, it works. I fed myself and washed my clothes on a heavy depression day. I’ll take that win. A win’s a win. It doesn’t matter if you don’t act like a “normal” “human” when you’re depressed, do whatever weird tricks help you out.

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