When I'm feeling really down, I make a To Do list. It literally starts with "Get out of bed. Eat breakfast. Watch TV." And then I add small, achievable tasks for the day.

That's what depression is, it's lies, all lies that come from your own head. It builds a false reality around you and makes you feel helpless, numb, and lost in the darkness. If you can replace depression with reality, with hope, literally change the way your brain thinks, even subconsciously, it's possible to improve. That's how I did it. After ten years, I don't have depression anymore.

This seems to be such a difficult concept for people to swallow. No matter how many times I tell people (anyone. Friends, Family, clients, etc.)... over and over... they always, somewhere, somehow ask... "So is it done yet? You fix it yet?" - No... it's not DONE. It's never "done".

I sadly lost my beloved dog/best friend 5 years ago and she helped me so much. She could tell when I was down and would comfort me. Some people may not understand this but her loss effected me more than any other loss including family, pregnancy loss etc. There will always be a special place in my heart for her, she was the best dog ever.

I should take note of this one.

It doesn't mean you're not tough even if you can't get anything done one day, it just means you're tough because you managed to make it through the day <3

Belly-kissing Boy! I can see how His Gorgeousness might be the moment of inspiration you need. The late, great Petrushka got me through some very bleak days just by sleeping on the pillow next to mine.

This reminds me of something I posted on my page a long time ago. It was phrased like, "Bond, James Bond. And you are?" "Berry, Strawberry."

That’s really lovely; thank you for sharing it with us. 💝

Fighting depression isn't a battle, it's a war. Some battles you win, some you lose. What matters is staying in the fight.

This. I don't "self medicate" with drugs but with food. It is why I am so heavy-set. My depression has been a part of me my entire life, and sometimes I get so tired of fighting. I get tired of struggling and the voice in my head, that tells me I'm not worth it anyway, gets so strong. It is posts like this and music that help me.

What if you have no one and can't afford therapy or medication?

I can't get rid of the thoughts of worthlessness.

Dog hugs always make me feel better, even if I'm having a really bad mental day ❤️

Lily is beautiful, I love her smile, we are so lucky that dogs exist.

They’re really beautiful. I especially like the one in the bottom right corner. I would happily buy that one in the bottom right corner.

You are not alone. Somehow that helps me.

And they purr!

Somewhere I read : if you are having a bad day , remember it is just a bad day ( or week) Not a bad life.

Music is truly a life saver

Honestly, her hat is me somedays... I say I'm fine and just put on my best fake smile...

I am way grown up, but I still respond really well to gold stars. I give them to myself, sometimes just for staying alive for one more day. ... sometimes for going for a walk.

I have permanent psychological damage from my parents reading my diary. Sometimes on my bad days I would write suicide notes in my diary, and they read those, and flipped out. I haven't been able to write anything down for years now, because I'm scared of someone reading how I feel.

I resisted medication due to previous adverse reactions to a specific antidepressant. Until I was pregnant and suffering with panic attacks. Thankfully I have a great dr that understood my concerns, started me on the lowest dose and monitors me every 2 months. I am now on a higher dose but the antidepressants I am give me no adverse reactions. Having a good GP is vital, I have experienced good and bad GPs with mental health.

Do you sing, play an instrument, compose, any combo or beyond?

This is inspiring.

F**k off, depression. (sing it with me now)