The Joy of Depression - Tapa blanda

Everyone seems to have an opinion on how Tess should be living her life. Despite her protests that she is absolutely fine it would seem that everyone else knows better than her. She is quite content to let them think that and carry on in her own way. However with the announcement of her friend Tilly's wedding, her friend and workmate, Nina’s promotion (and subsequent move to New York) and her sister’s third pregnancy she begins to think that maybe her job working for a lunatic could do with a revamp and although being single is fine for now, she needs to get a move on to ensure she’s not dying alone. Unfortunately as she pulls her life in to shape; gains a boyfriend and more responsibility at work, it seems her friends and family choose that moment to pull the self destruct chords on their own lives. Tess' life spirals out of control and culminates in a very public and embarrassing breakdown and she is forced to take control. Whilst trying to understand what is happening to her she is still forced to be all things to all people whilst barely functioning as a human being. She juggles being a friend, girlfriend, sister and employee whilst simultaneously getting on with the hard business of living. As other, more tangible concerns, take precedence Tess is forced to make decisions. Can she convince the world and her boyfriend that things need to change or is it up to her to accept that everyone else may not have the answers? And more pressingly... will she be able to get out of bed tomorrow?

Laura Sleep won the 'Marie Claire Inspire and Mentor' award in 2012 and was mentored by Jane Fallon. She combines writing with working in television.