Coping with Depression: Tips and Tricks

Over the years I've just accepted that I am depressed. It's been ongoing since childhood. I told myself that it's ok because there's not a person alive today who doesn't have some sort of illness, disease, etc. Everyone has something. I stayed unmedicated for the longest and it sucked. When I finally sucked it up, admitted I was depressed, I started seeing a psychiatrist and a therapist. Got my meds and now I'm working on getting back to some type of normalcy. It's a work in progress but I feel like I'm getting there. Having a routine can help.

At first it's admitting it's happening again. Then following the process. 1. Sit with the emotion/thoughts in still and comfortable silence for a little (light some inscense or candle or even better sit outside) 2. Jouranl your thoughts/memories/feelings 4. Re-read, re-write, redirect those sentences in a way that brings a sense of calm 5. List things you'd do if you were happy. What's fulfilling? 6. Go do those things 7. Repeat the process (especially when you're in a better mood) 8. Read back on all that you've written, see what needs to change, what persists, and you'll find a way to become more okay with the things that bring suffering Something I also like doing is stealing or creating little mantras/mindfull breathing exercises from eastern religions