Post-Potter Depression and How to Get Rid of It

Even though I have not been with Harry throughout my childhood, that doesn't mean I don't suffer when one of my favorite series ever ends. I'm lucky I still have six movies to watch, otherwise I would feel even worse. So this post is dedicated to Post-Potter Depression and how I'm planning to get rid of it. Even though this advice is probably, like six to ten years too late for most of you, I hope younger readers can take something away from this. (Spoilers for the entire Harry Potter series by the way.)



How it is for me
So it was like 2.30 AM and I finished reading. At first, I was ecstatic. It was wonderful and all was well now. This story would remain in my heart forever. And tomorrow--
Yes, what exactly? I had spent two entire months in this world, and tomorrow I would wake up to an undeniable fact: It's all over.
Then it kicks in. An ever-growing urge to close the circle. Just start again with Sorcerer's Stone and read it all again. Think about it. Everyone will be okay again. Tonks, Snape, Lupin, Sirius, Fred, Dumbledore, even Dobby. Alive and well.
But we can't do that, right? Your birthday is in a couple days, and you asked your parents for Winter. You will reunite with Cinder and Scarlet and Cress. But do you still want them?
No, I want to read about Harry and Ron and Hermione and about Filch and McGonagall and Dumbledore and Snape and Voldemort and Bellatrix and--

When I started this adventure in October, I feared a reading slump. But now I realize that the reading slump isn't the most dangerous thing that can happen to a reader. I've experienced worse.

I call it 'the book spiral'

My first introduction to this concept was when I finished Mockingjay. I felt so empty, like I didn't know what to do with my life. Since my TBR was tiny back then, I decided that I could just start all over again. I ended up reading the series three times in a row before reluctantly starting Divergent.

This can't happen again.

I have to get rid of this urge before the 10th of December, the day I'll receive Winter. I finished Deathly Hallows in the night of 3 December.

Tips to heal

Tip #1: Cold Turkey Is Not the Way To Go

At least this is what I notice with myself. I can't just jump out of a world. I need to take the Hogwarts Express and gradually travel out of the wreckage.

Tip #2: The Movies

There are eight Harry Potter movies, and especially around Christmas, they tend to be on TV every once in a while. In other words: there're twenty hours of material lying around, waiting to be watched by happy families (except for mine, because I'm the sole Potterhead in my family). It's important to pick the right moment with the movies, though. They might throw you into a depression again as soon as you finish watching Deathly Hallows part 2. So pick a time when you can cry into your pillow freely.

Tip #3: Similar Books

Because at some point, we got to start reading again, right? But it's always hard to step out of one world into another, so here are some books that have similar elements as Harry Potter or even 'parodies' of it hidden within a new world.

Tip #4: Read Something Entirely Different

Sometimes, you can just get more annoyed by reading something similar, because it's 'not the same'. In that case I would advise you to go somewhere completely different. Maybe something easy and quirky, like Anna and the French Kiss. Or something slightly darker, but easy to get into, like a John Green book or a dystopian novel. I would advise picking something equally engaging. And a fat book or a series, so you have time get into this new world and the aftermath of your reading slump doesn't ruin this new book for you. A highly anticipated new release is my 'strategy' for this one, but I'm still a bit worried Winter will be ruined by my lingering sadness.

Tip #5: Internet

Where do we go when we fear we'll die of emotional conflict? Exactly. Pinterest, Tumblr, Goodreads, even Twitter and Facebook. And, of course, blogging is also a great way to get a hand of your feeling on a specific topic.

Tip #6: Fanfiction and Fan Art

As you might know from my failed attempt at writing fanfiction, I'm not really into it. But it's not just about writing fanfics, reading them is also a way to continue the adventure. What I do really enjoy is creating fan art (even though I'm not very good at this either). I'm working on a Harry Potter themed drawing right now.

Tip #7: Pottermore, the Tales of Beedle the Bard, etc.

Supporting works are always a nice way to obtain extra knowledge of your favorite fandom. Unlike the Hunger Games, Harry Potter has a lot of bonus material in store for you. I've yet to visit Pottermore, but am likely to do so once I've finished watching the movies.

Seven books, seven Horcruxes, seven tips, and hopefully the end of your Post-Potter Depression.

(Who am I kidding? These tips aren't half good enough to do that.)

Surprise! Another tip. Tip #8: If desperation comes your way, a reread might be the only thing that can save the day. (Why am I rhyming?)