Reflections on My Journey with Depression

i wanted to be excited about something and I think this is the perfect place to talk about it. . /// cw for mentions of self-harm and weed . . . This may not make perfect sense because I popped some gummies for my pain and theyre starting to kick in. I just realized I recently marked 1 and a half years clean from self harm. I want to reflect on my journey with depression. Things still get bad sometimes, because depression doesn't just go away. I know this may sound disheartening, but I don't mean it as a negative at all. If you're struggling with your mental health, I've been where you are right now. i know that sometimes you can't imagine life ever being bearable again, but as cliche as it sounds, it DOES get better! I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have if I didn't find the perfect mixture of therapy and medications. There is no shame in getting treatment for an illness, physical or mental. I still have bad days sometimes, either triggered by an event or just coming out of the blue, but I can bounce back a lot quicker now. i used to be always one exchange away from a derealization/depersonalization episode and it has been months since I last had one of those, and they haven't been nearly as intense. it's like the big shadow monster of depression that lurked over my shoulder became a small wisp that is easily managed. i wish there was some magic cure i could tell you, but there isn't one. i had a lot of trial and error before I found what worked for me. and yeah, it felt a little bleak at times, but I found it. but that combination of treatment is different for everyone! don't be upset when the first few combinations don't work. my messages are always open to others that are struggling <3 just hang in there, I PROMISE it won't always be like this