Blue Monday? It will automatically be Tuesday!

Today is Blue Monday. The most depressing day of the year, they say. But what does depression really feel like? And does it pass? Adrienne Garber (66) went through it. Her answer is, "Yes, it will pass, don't despair."

""What a strange reaction you have," my son said to me one day. He noticed that I wasn't listening at all when he was telling a story. I was very passive at the time. Call it depressed. With everything I thought: whatever. I find it unimaginable now, but even for my son's stories I couldn't take any interest. I was in my own world. I did nothing and wanted nothing. All I did was sit on the couch and stare dully. I was even hospitalized for a while.

When I got out of the institution, I got a volunteer from De Regenboog Groep. Saskia was her name, a darling girl. She did her job so well. She didn't go around telling endless stories, she just made a cup of tea. So nice when someone does that for you: making a cup of tea. She went about her work very subtly. That was her strength. Then she said: maybe it would be an idea to clean up your room this week. Without any pressure, she put me to work. Very effective, because cleaning up gave distraction - and peace."

The father of "Blue Monday" is British psychologist Cliff Arnall. In 2005, he came up with what he claimed was a scientifically sound formula that would show that the Monday of the last full week of January is the day when most people feel sad, dejected or melancholy. This would have to do with the fact that good intentions have failed and the vacations seem far away. In addition, the days are still dark and Monday is the first day of the work week for many people. Arnall was showered with criticism in academic circles, but nevertheless, many major newspapers and other media devote uncritical attention to the phenomenon every year. Learn more at Wikipedia

Unrest

"Before, on the contrary, I was always very restless. That was probably because of all the crap I put in my mouth: cheese, meat, candy. I weighed something like 100 kilos. Now I have lost thirty kilos. I have been doingdry fasting for two years, eating and drinking nothing after six in the evening until two the next day. I have also been eating no animal products for four years: no meat, no fish, no fat, no cheese. If I want to snack I eat dates or occasionally a small piece of 80% dark chocolate. I figured it all out myself on the Internet. At first I was looking for a solution for my diabetes, but by eating vegan I not only got rid of my sugar, I no longer have asthma and am never depressed again. Even a little dejected, which everyone is at times, I am never again. Now when my son comes home with a story, I sit on the edge of the couch. 'Gosh yes, I then say, tell me.' I am back in the middle of the world. The newspapers I lick off. I'm in a really good mood and going everywhere."

"I always tell people who are depressed: don't ask so much of yourself. Just let it happen."

Attraction

"Because of my life energy that I radiate, I attract all kinds of people, I've noticed, both men and women. They come to me and want to know how I live and what I do. If you are fat, people think you don't have much to say. If you're also depressed, which I was for a long time, people go in a big circle around you. People can't do anything with depression. The joke is: you don't have to do anything with it. Just being there is enough. The biggest mistake you can make is demanding too much from someone who is depressed or imposing your own pattern. You don't have to come up with all kinds of solutions right away either. Rather not even. Better to talk about everyday things, this and that. Put on some music, make some coffee. The more you demand of depressed people, the more you lose your grip."

Death Doers

"No one is waiting for doodlers like don't give in to it though! I always tell people who are depressed: don't gather so much from yourself. Just let it happen. People who are depressed set the bar extremely high for themselves. They see everyone around them being happy and successful and demand the same for themselves. They are almost more strict with themselves than the toughest boss imaginable. But you are sick. So don't demand so much of yourself. Don't despair, it will pass, but give it time. So also regarding Blue Monday I would say: let it go. It will automatically be Tuesday."

The Regenboog Groep has been committed to helping people with psychiatric problems for more than 20 years. We do this by establishing contact between a volunteer and a participant. Adrienne Garber has been an ambassador for De Regenboog Groep for a while. She is now considering becoming a volunteer. "Because of my own experience, I think I can help people who are depressed very well," she said.

Interview by Nicolline van der Spek / Photography: Merlin Michon.