"Lion in the Closet" is a song that I recorded and released back in 2015. Funnily enough at the time I had no idea this could be mistaken for having some reference to the Chronicles of Narnia books. It is in fact a story that describes elements of my journey in overcoming anxiety and depression.
In short, the lion represents the depression, "the closet" and "my room" represent my thoughts and my headspace. Hence the lyric "there's a lion in the closet in my room".
Official animated video
Video by Dylan Fowler Design.
Lyrics:
There’s a lion in the closet in my room
He’s waiting for me to get home soon
When I open the door I don’t get a fright
We’ve been playing this game since the other night
But when I wake up it’s another illusion
Why do I make up these disillusions?
There’s a bird in the tree he talks to me
We have discussions about foreign policy
He’s an expert on migration, he’s in a bad situation
We’ve been talking for years but I don’t know his name
But when I wake up it’s another illusion
Why do I make up these disillusions?
Perhaps it’s a need?
Perhaps it’s desire?
I’ll burn all this baggage
When I light the fire
When I light the fire
When I light the fire
There’s a lion in the closet in my room
There’s a lion in the closet in my room
There’s a lion in the closet in my room
There’s a lion in the closet in my room
Music and lyrics by Trevor Petrie (@trevorpetrie)
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It's so beautiful that you were able to make something so lovely out of something so vulnerable and scary as depression and anxiety. For me, the lion also represents emotions that I shut away in a closet in my mind, anger and sadness. I love to imagine that I can befriend the lion, that the lion has really been there all along to protect me from things I am scared of or can't face.
Thank you @ariadne.spiral! I think a big part of my overcoming depression and anxiety was realising there was energy I could draw on, I actually feel like I'm much stronger now than I was before. I love the thought that the lion is the protector, it's a powerful symbol and a good one to have on your side. I just love the image you shared above, it's so peaceful, a beautiful way to see the lion represented.
thanks @trevorpetrie , sometimes I just feel like that little girl.