Jim Ashilevi: With depression, all manner of lightness seems utterly impossible

September 12, 2026 - 13:28

Writer, theater director and game developer Jim Ashilevi has spoken openly about the heavy fog that depression brings, describing how it strips away any sense of lightness or relief. In a candid interview, Ashilevi discussed the intersection of grief and writing, explaining that the creative process often becomes a way to navigate emotions that resist simple expression. He noted that sadness and loss do not follow a neat timeline, and that putting words on a page can be both a refuge and a confrontation.

Ashilevi also turned his attention to the video game industry, calling its realities turbulent and often unforgiving. He pointed to the pressures of production, unstable working conditions and the constant threat of burnout that many developers face. The legacy of Disco Elysium, a game celebrated for its writing and emotional depth, came up as a touchstone for what interactive storytelling can achieve when it refuses to shy away from difficult subjects.

Having spent time living abroad, Ashilevi said the distance gave him a sharper view of Estonia. He spoke about the country's character, its contradictions and the way home can look different once you have been away. Writing, for him, remains a way to make sense of that shifting perspective.