It happens to me every year. It’s a seasonal disorder. It is called Springtime Madness. I hate it, but it never leaves without a useful contribution.
This is what happens: the days start getting long, the lambs start froliccing across the fields, and the trees start growing green once more. Simultaneously, my mind goes completely fucking crazy. Again, this happens every single year.
I start doubting myself, more than normal, at least. I start wondering about the future, and questioning the past. Initially, none of this is conscious, it’s just a nagging feeling just beneath the surface of my skull. Sometimes it’s almost crippling, I feel so numb that I start wondering what the hell exactly is going on.
So then some weeks follow where I annoy the girlfriend with questions of reality and the purpose of life. Then summer comes along and I forget about The Madness.
This happens every year, and it always leads to some kind of revelation. This year it’s all about my career, and how exactly I can squeeze money out of society without ripping my hair out.
I believe that the nature of the season, rebirth, etc. has a large part to play in the appearance of Springtime Madness. The ending of the academic year also seems to be a factor.
While the experience itself is never very pleasant, it’s kind of cool how my mind automatically periodically sets aside some time to reflect on itself. It means that at least once a year I do some mental bookkeeping, and that seems like a pretty good thing.



