into each day, so that there would still be a sense of purpose. That remained important. One of the hardest aspects of a depressive illness is that a positive mindset can’t be maintained. Just when you think you’re on the way up at last you’re dragged down by a really bad day, or a disturbing development. As November progressed and the days shortened I found that the evenings became difficult. I was tired, and had little inclination to read or listen to music. At such times it was hard to keep despair