Ways to cope with depression

For me, realizing depression didn't define me helped a lot with pushing through work and such. However, I get hit hard when I'm alone. Reading and writing poetry helps me to take my mind off. Sometimes I make a list of what was bothering me. Other times I try to play a game with friends to distract myself. And heck, I sometimes just sleep it off to give my body a little reset. I also often turn to looking into my future, like an event that's coming up.

Doing something productive, even if its something tiny. Open up a sketchbook and doodle a bit. Maybe try your hardest to work on a hobby. Even if you can't do any of that due to depression, remind yourself that its okay to take long breaks from things and to do nothing.