What helped you get better?

[StarsAbove]

For those of you who feel like you are getting better, what do you attribute that to?

 

[RandomUsername1]

I currently am not better but I have experienced feeling better for months. Recovery is extremely difficult. It's never things get better and stay better. One small thing goes wrong in your life even when you feel like you're getting better then suddenly you're back in a depressive episode. I personally have gotten significantly better after hanging out with friends constantly. It helped me find myself. However, this works for a while, it just distracts you. Because when you're alone you think of all the bad things. Like finding friends is a good starting point but it's just a distraction. Once they're busy, then you start to become depressed again. Same thing with partners. Other people give you a purpose but people change, they could be a lot more busy, they might leave you, or you guys might just stop talking. Thats why it's a good starting point but it will make you feel even worse if you depend on other people. I find that routine really helps me. Gives me a reason to get outta bed. Leaving your house and hanging out with your family also feels really nice. If you don't have anyone to leave the house with, go to the dollar tree by yourself and buy yourself some snacks. Or go to a plaza and walk around the different store to browse stuff. It's much better with friends. If you're in college, go down to the campus more to study. I find doing it at the campus is much better than at home because you get stuff done and you get to leave your house. Go to college events for the free stuff. For me personally leaving my house and being on my own without my family feels much better. The most important thing in recovery is to not depend on distractions to get better. They get you out of your dark headspace but you have to have a clear GOAL to stay true to yourself. You have to want it. Goals give you purpose. Ask yourself what's your goal in life? What makes you happy?
You can also think about all the things you've achieved so far. Do you really want to die after coming this far? If it's your family making you depressed then you can start with a simple goal. Like getting out of the house as soon as possible. Getting a job, saving, house browsing, it makes you excited for the future when you start planning for it.

 

[Gloomic]

Not caring about other people's opinions as much. Of course, there needs to be an open mind when receiving criticism when mistakes occur, though this shouldn't be taken to heart as being subpar because everyone makes mistakes and feels shame about them to where they will remember not to do it later, that's the point of learning. Also, people thinking that I'm weird for dressing alternatively or other interests is none of my concern. When you finally get out of the mindset that people who do absolutely nothing for you somehow value as an opinion to shape you, you feel more free.