When Your Depression Lifts, You’ll Understand Why You Never Gave Up

Your depression is not permanent. Your depression is not a sign of failure. Depression does not belong to you. Depression doesn’t define who you are. You are a complete person who is experiencing a depressive state. When your depression lifts, you’ll see all the reasons for having kept hope alive. 

Your depression is a cycle of too many heartbreaks, lost hopes and dreams, shitty life circumstances, and cascading life struggles. Your depression isn’t a mystery. Intuitively, you can pinpoint the moment you never felt quite the same again. You are far wiser than you allow yourself to believe. Your depression acts as a crucial point of reference. It uncovers the collection of moments that matter most to you. Your depression needs to be acknowledged, slowly massaged, tumbled down, and waded through. Depression is heavy. Of course you’re exhausted and searching for the strength to pursue the day.

You should be proud of yourself. Showing up for your life the best way you know how is an act of courage. When your depression lifts, you will see all the reasons for having kept hope alive. You will see that your happiest moments are about seemingly insignificant interactions, one smile, one encouraging word, and one renewed chance. Tackling depression from many angles isn’t about diminishing the significance of your experience. It’s about giving yourself the gift of recovery.

Watch how your life changes when you distance yourself from people who make you feel less than enough, even those you love. Watch how your life changes when you allow yourself to grieve, give yourself grace for your ugly days, and permission to cry. Watch how your life changes when you stop putting expectations on what your healing should look like, how long it should take, and how you’re supposed to show up in the world.

Watch how your life transforms when you adjust your environment and look for other options. Watch how your life transforms when you develop a faith practice, knowing you do not have to carry your burdens alone. Watch how your life transforms when you reach out for support and therapy.

You are not alone. You have people who understand what you’re going through. You have people you can talk to when you’re uncomfortable with being vulnerable with society or your culture. Please do not give up on hope. Do not give up on your life. Not if but when your depression lifts, you will see all the reasons for having kept hope alive.