Write a list

When we are depressed and everything is turned miserably inward, it is hard to feel joy and gratitude about things in our life. That is why it is such good therapy to force ourselves to write a list of all the things that we consider a blessing in our life for which we are truly grateful for. Once you can manage to get started on the list, you will be surprised at how many things you can think of to put on your list.

My new discovery

Within the last month I have made a very important discovery pertaining to my depression.

For months now, I have been doing tons of writing, including beginning a book, and also reading a lot more fiction books. Surprisingly, I have noticed a pattern developing which I certainly hope continues throughout the winter months.

All this writing and reading has hugely helped improve my depression. Generally this time of year I am well into the depression blues and not having any motivation to do anything. Of course, when we are depressed everything seems to bother us and it all turns inward, to ourselves. But all this writing and reading has just accomplished the complete opposite...all my feelings and thoughts have turned outward away from within me.

My writings help me to delve within myself and pull all my feelings and thoughts out from within the depths of me and put them onto paper. Reading helps me escape for awhile into another time and situation, thus providing me with an outlet with which to ponder, enjoy and get lost in, for awhile.

So, the secret is...to find something that you enjoy SO MUCH that it will enable you to bring all your feelings and thoughts out of you and center them on something that can take you away from your pent up emotions.

Try an online depression forum

There are all types of forums online, for all types of things that we might be interested in, for help or to learn from. Forums are safe and private...they are NOT chat rooms. You just post a question and later people answer or comment on your question. The depression forum is made up of other people who suffer from depression. You can even just read the questions and comments from others...you don’t have to post one yourself, if you don’t want to.
Click on the following link to take you to a good depression forum:

http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&webtag=ab-depression

Because I am also an introvert, I have joined an introvert forum which I really love and have learned so very much from. My favorite introvert forum is:
http://hiddengiftsoftheintrovertedchild.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=c98c3ed277b925c2539725fcd535ff64&board=5.0

Today....

Have a very good day today...because you KNOW that you have been blessed with family and friends who love and care about you !!!

Stop thinking of self, and go do something for someone else

When we are depressed, all our energy and thoughts are turned inward to our self. If we can muster all our strength to break out of that process and go do something for someone else, then we will be surprised at how much better that little act of kindness for others can help us feel.