Melancholy is probably one of the most difficult feelings to describe. I think part of the reason why is because everyone experiences it in different ways. For me, melancholy is not necessarily a negative feeling. From my perspective, melancholy is a state of being contemplative, in kind of a somber way rather than a joyful one. I think this state of being is really important in order to reflect on things in a realistic way, rather than just constantly seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. If you are always happy and satisfied, then there really isn’t much motivation to contemplate things from different perspectives, which is really really important in order to avoid close-mindedness. Because in reality, the world is not all roses and daisies. In my opinion, melancholy is an important feeling that leads you to contemplate perspectives that you wouldn’t necessarily think about if you were constantly feeling satisfied with life. It’s a crucial part of open-mindedness and seeing the world realistically.

Sara Schlemm’s presentation was very thought-provoking, and it got me thinking about the influence melancholy has on artistic expression, from paintings to movies. Some of the most beautiful works of art that have been created, including the movie “Vertigo” that Sara discussed, have been inspired by melancholy, and it’s pretty obvious when they are. These are the works that get you thinking. A joyful movie about puppies can obviously be really entertaining, but it doesn’t necessarily stimulate your mind. And to me, that’s what art is all about. I love it when I watch a good movie and I’m given a glimpse into the director’s (usually melancholic) perspective about life.

Side note: the title of this post is a really good Smashing Pumpkins album. If you got that then you’re awesome!