"anhedonia, or the loss of the ability to enjoy things you would normally enjoy is a classic symptom of depression"

Wow, I didn't know there was an actual name for this symptom. I'm dealing with this right now... I've been feeling like crap for about a week since not making it in our local showcase of our local folk series. (2 openings, only 11 entries. So pretty good odds, but I didn't make it again.) Now, yeah, rejection is a fact of life, and it's no big deal, but it's really made me question my worth as a songwriter and performer. (Truth be told, I am certainly no great performer, but I can get the point of my songs across, and I think I am a decent enough songwriter. Plus, to me doing original material of worth should count a little more than another cover of Paradise or whatever... I wasn't too impressed with the 2 folks that made it last year, but I also don't know what their demo/submission was like- in all fairness, it could have been much better than their live sets were. But anyway...)

As far as anhedonia, I haven't felt like touching the guitar since. There's just a big void where the part of my that usually says "hot dog! Got a half hour, let's get out the Taylor!"

For me, time is the great healer, and talking to the right person is good too...anyway, I think there's been some great advice here and most importantly, know that you're not alone. I think Townes Van Zandt described depression best when he said that it was like a big wave rolling in, and you could see it coming, and there wasn't nothing you could do to stop it...

but hopefully, we dry out soon enough. Take care, believe in yourself and be well.

Jim