my journey through depression

Disclaimer: This is detailing my own personal experiences with mental health for educational purposes, if you or someone you know is struggling, seek a professional or dial 9-8-8 for the crisis helpline.

My personal journey through depression has not been easy.

Here are some insights and solutions that have helped me lessen and free myself from the struggle.

Emotions Feel "Dulled"

I found it difficult to justify to myself how to be happy. I distinctly remember times when someone would tell a joke, and all my friends were laughing except me. They weren't making fun of me, and I knew it was funny; I just couldn't laugh. An analogy to describe it is a faded photo; the colors are there, just not as vibrant.

Fixation on My Mistakes

Truth be told, I can't remember the good memories of my childhood very well. I know they are there; I simply cannot recall them. However, I can vividly remember many bad memories from when I was a kid.

It's Hard to Talk About

Even with more social media awareness, it can still be really difficult. Sometimes mental health is blown out of proportion and stigmatized, while other times it is preached too hard and glorified. Neither approach helps people feel properly comfortable. This is not to say that people's experiences with mental health are invalid, but a 2-minute TikTok might not always provide a well-thought-out perspective.

Tips and Advice for Anyone Who Wants to Improve Their Mental Health

Reach Out

Having trusted friends is invaluable. Therapy is also generally very good at breaking down complex emotions and issues. I recommend using Healthy Gamer, as they offer affordable prices for sessions and guides. (This is not product placement; I have worked with them and wholeheartedly love their service.)

Journaling

Writing down how I feel has helped immensely because it allows me to offload my emotions and reflect on them later. I will talk more in-depth in a future post, but using pen and paper is very effective. I personally use the How We Feel app to pinpoint and process my emotions better. Making journaling a daily practice helps to regulate and analyze why I feel a certain way.