Here are five things I try when depression really gets to me

Depression feels like waking up, opening your eyes, and suddenly realizing you're stuck in a never-ending nightmare.

Depression is coming to terms with the fact that death doesn't frighten you anymore. I totally get how tough it can be to deal with this day in and day out. Some days, you just feel like curling up in bed and wishing everything would just pass by.

While there isn't a quick fix or a magic solution for this, there are definitely plenty of things we can try to help us cope and tackle those tough days when depression really takes a toll. So, today I want to chat with you about the changes I made in my daily routine that really helped me manage my depression.

Hey, be careful not to isolate yourself from other people.

It can be very tempting to withdraw and isolate yourself when you're feeling low. It's true that depression can make you feel alone. I've come to the realization that excluding myself from other people simply made my sadness more difficult to manage, even though there were moments when I let this to take over.

It just made everything worse. Every time this happens, I tell myself to let others in, and I try my best to ease back into the world gently.

I totally get how intimidating it can be to step out of your comfort zone and connect with others. But we really need to keep reminding ourselves that isolating ourselves isn’t going to lead to healing.

Find something that brings a smile to your face.

There are times when I really feel down, like I’m stuck in a place where happiness just doesn’t exist. Most days, I let those thoughts take over, but then there are moments when I decide to shake things up. I’ll do something that makes me laugh so hard my stomach hurts and my eyes water. It’s those little victories that help me push through.

Watching the TV series Friends is definitely my favorite thing to do! I get it, this might seem a bit silly, but there’s just something about it that lifts my spirits; it gives me this feeling that something good is on the horizon - that things are going to improve.

Let your creativity shine!

I totally get how tough it can be to share all those thoughts swirling around in your mind with others. Sometimes, even when we really want to share our feelings and have a million thoughts swirling around, it can still be so tough to say anything at all. Writing really helps me tackle that feeling. It’s a spot where I can really let my feelings flow; a spot where I can take a break from my thoughts.

It really helps me feel clear and calm. It really lightens the load I always carry, and it makes me feel like I’m still in charge.

You’re not just stuck with writing; you can totally draw, paint, or do whatever feels right—anything that helps you express those emotions.

Embrace the practice of gratitude

Depression can really trick you into thinking there’s nothing to be grateful for. It really makes you wonder if anything still holds value, like maybe nothing better is on the horizon. Every day, I make it a point to jot down at least three things I'm thankful for—those little moments that brought me joy.

It really didn’t matter if it was small or simple. Looking at what I wrote made me realize there's still some good in this life, and that good things can still come my way.

Rise and shine to catch the sunrise!

Waking up is honestly one of the worst parts for me; I really hate it. I really didn't want to think about going through life like this. I really didn’t want to face another day just to go through that pain again. I just decided to hide from it. I put up some big, heavy curtains to block out the sunrise, so I won’t really notice when a new day starts.

I decided to make a big change. I woke up early, stepped outside, and watched the sunrise. It filled me with hope and helped me see the beauty in the world all over again. Doing this really helped make my whole day a lot easier to handle.


Just a heads up, we all handle things differently. What worked for me might not be the solution for you.

But hey, don’t let that hold you back! Go out there and find something that brings you back to yourself, something that helps you enjoy life, something that reminds you how great it is to be alive. Come along with me on this journey, and let’s tackle this together!