Post Achievement Depression

I've noticed that while striving for my goals I exist in a sort of high. Endless energy, little need for sleep/food and I am completely joyful. But after I achieve my objective I enter a type of sadness. The energy I once had disappears and all that's left is my base desires.

During those "depressive" times I withdrawal from my usual charismatic personality and retreat into myself. During this time I explore what could be causing the dissatisfaction. I would pick apart myself questioning my actions, and the purpose of it all. I used to resent this time and do everything I could to prevent it's occurrence, but I now realize this is powerful feature, not a bug.

This cycle happened for years before I finally recognized the pattern. And now I realize it's benefit. That dissatisfaction, that void, that depression that exists after achieving my goals is the exact driving force that pushes me to set even higher goals, and to chase an even grander purpose.

Those waves of emotion and of passion are the primary driving forces that keeps me from staying stagnant in my education, my skill set and accomplishment. Without the highs I wouldn't have the energy to create, without the lows I couldn't dig deep enough to find the energy's source.

I write this post to encourage you all to embrace the highs as well as the lows. Use the highs to explore the immensity of your ability, and use the lows to set your bearings. Don't take the easy route and escape yourself, that will extend the duration of the low. Extract the value from your repressed state to immerge with bigger goals, clearer clarity and greater confidence in your ability to continue chasing your dreams!