Month: April 2015

About Depression

Published by From Madeira to Mars

About depression Depression, that’s what I got; a depression. I felt the need to write about this topic, because I think there are a lot of taboos around depression. It is the disease that most affects society today and antidepressants are the most sold drugs in Portuguese Pharmacies. I don’t think there is anyone who doesn’t know someone, or even has a family member, who suffers from depression, so why not write about it? It seems that there is no exact way to define the causes of depression, however there are many ways to manifest it, and yes, it is an illness. The part of the body that gets sick isn’t the leg, the intestines or the liver, it’s the brain, as simple as that. I have met many people who are in contact with depression, a disease that has led me to make some changes in my life. Like all choices in life, changes always have two sides, some things are lost, others are gained. From my personal experience, I learned that: Depression is …

The footsteps of Van Gogh

Published by From Madeira to Mars

I’ve always loved his paintings. I remember that long before enjoying museums, I knew his painting of the sunflowers, from a calendar in my mom’s kitchen. Now, that  I set out to find out who is the man behind the painting, and I like it even more … Last March, the Dutch tourism in partnership with Expedia, launched a campaign entitled “Following the Van Gogh footprints” #Vangogh2015. Van Gogh died 125 years ago but his work remains as present and current. Museums, landscapes, paintings and thoughts that accompanied his journey through life, reveal him as an outstanding person . Vincent Van Gogh lived 37 years (my age), having been born in a family overshadowed by the death of the first child at birth, who had been assigned his name, Vincent. Later, his brother Theo was born.  He became  his best friend and life companion. Vicent began painting at  the age of 27. He committed suicide at 37. For 10 years he painted about 900 pictures and wrote more than 800 letters, leaving an estate of creativity and talent which was recognized …