Write a book when you’re depressed

Writing a book to cure depression? If you’re a writer, it works. A book takes you away from whatever miseries you’re confronting – it stops you thinking about yourself.

How We Met: Julie Burchill & Sara Lawrence notes: “I had had a particularly bad week and was staying with her for the weekend. On the Monday I was so miserable that I sat on the edge of her fishpond, thinking, ‘Maybe I should chuck it all in and become a lawyer.’ That night Julie said, ‘Baby, why don’t you just write a book?’ For the next three months I sat at my desk and wrote two-thirds of my book – I owe that to her.”

Not only will writing a book get you out of depression, it’s also a great confidence booster. Writing a book is a real accomplishment.