We should celebrate achievements when we're depressed because it's a wonderful way to bring positivity into our lives. When we are depressed, just getting through a day without falling part can be difficult. Many times, getting out of bed and showering requires great effort. Then, add in all of the other items on our to-do lists, and achieving anything feels nearly impossible. At times like these, it’s important to be gentle with ourselves and celebrate our achievements. I've thought about why this is important and how we can celebrate achievements when we're depressed.

Depression makes it difficult to practice self-love, particularly on the darkest of days. When a seemingly simple activity such as getting out of bed is overwhelming, it is hard to think about practicing self-love; however, by doing small things to show ourselves love, nourishing our minds and bodies can be done.

Feelings of guilt and shame can be intense when we are depressed. Our perception of the past becomes skewed and these guilty and shameful feelings can become such a burden that we feel overwhelmed, unable to see realistically. I’ve spent some time contemplating why we, who battle depression, often feel overwhelmed with feelings of guilt and shame and what we can do about it.

Sometimes people don't know what to say to someone with depression. Those of us with depression typically have family and friends who want to encourage us; however, all too often we find that even well-meaning people end up saying the very things we don't need to hear. When this happens, it can leave both the person who spoke the words and the person to whom they were spoken feeling quite discouraged and possibly angry or upset. While I'd like it if all people could somehow know what to say to someone with depression, that's not realistic. Instead, we need to give them suggestions and guidelines. I've come up with some things that I would like to hear as someone with depression.

How does social media make you depressed when spending time on social media can be a fun way to pass time? Social media can be an efficient way to stay in contact with friends and see what’s going on in their lives. It can be enjoyable to share what’s going on in our own lives. But when we’re depressed, it can be easier to just stay in and spend time on our social media sites rather than rather than spend time offline, e.g. going jogging outside or meeting up with friends in person. Yet when we’re already feeling depressed, social media can cause us to feel even more depressed. I’ve discovered a few reasons for why social media makes you depressed and what you can do about it.

January depression can be difficult (as depression can be during other winter months), but creativity can help you fight depression and hopefully find some ways to enjoy winter with depression. After the holidays, it can be hard for some of us to get back into the mundane day-to-day routine, and depression may only exacerbate that feeling. Finding creative ways to counteract January depression is essential if we're going to find pleasure in our daily lives, especially during the bleakness of winter.

Weekend depression turns out to be real. I noticed a few years back that while the rest of the world seems to live for the weekends, when I was depressed, the weekends would often make me feel even more depressed. I’ve discovered some reasons for weekend depression and what we can do to feel better.

What I've learned in life since my suicide attempt almost a year ago, has helped me make a great deal of progress in my depression journey. While major depressive disorder is still a daily battle I face, I now have new weapons in my arsenal which I can use in the war. I'd like to share with you what I've learned about life this year, and how this knowledge has made me stronger.

I have depression, but I'm inspired because it’s nearly 2018. There’s an excitement that comes with new beginnings. And while my depression won’t just disappear because it’s a new year, there are things I can actively do to help lessen my depressive symptoms. I’ve thoughts about how I want to enter into 2018 that I would like to share with you. I don't have to give up the excitement of the new year because I have depression, and neither do you.

Consistent routines for depression management work for me, so I've learned to make and then stick with different routines. When my home and life run smoothly, then it's easier for my mind to stay on an even keel as well. I've found that the time and energy it takes to create routines for my depression and overall mental health are worth the effort required; when you maintain these routines, you will save yourself from a great deal of stress and from the dreaded overwhelming feelings of depression that can leave you unmotivated and unable to do anything. These routines help me manage depression, and maybe they can help you as well.