FeelingGoodWithSofy

Hi everyone!😊And welcome back to a new post on mental health.

Today, I’m sharing my thoughts on navigating life with depression. I start by featuring some characteristics of depression and then I’ll be opening up about my own journey and sharing some of the practical tips and motivational insights that are also helping me along the way. ❤️

Trigger warning: If you are struggling with depression or with other mental health conditions, this article might be difficult to read. However, this blog post contains also supportive tips and encouragement. The decision to keep reading is entirely yours, and no one else’s! ❤️❤️

First of all, I’ve already written some articles regarding depression. You might find them helpful as well:

• https://feelinggoodwithsofy.com/2025/06/22/depression-motivation%e2%9d%a4%ef%b8%8f/
• https://feelinggoodwithsofy.com/2025/05/16/navigating-depression-6-strategies-that-help-me/
• https://feelinggoodwithsofy.com/2024/05/08/7-healthy-ways/

Depression, a Constant Battle

Depression is not an easy fight at all, especially if you struggle with it in your daily life. It’s crucial to know that depression is a mental illness, not a weakness. Moreover, it’s not your choice; in fact, it’s not your fault if you find yourself constantly battling with this medical condition.

Some common and painful symptoms…

Another thing about depression is that it can make you feel very guilty and like a burden to anyone you know, especially to your loved ones. You could feel guilty, for example, because, you may not be able to accomplish daily tasks and find that others do them better than you, or because you struggle with the idea that your family would be better off without you.

Depression can also bring so much shame and frustration into your life. You might find it really hard to accept your struggles, and, as a result, not want to seek help or support because you feel too weak and uneasy talking to a stranger, such as a therapist.

You may also isolate yourself from the others. This is another common symptom. It becomes so difficult to talk, even with the ones who want the best for you. Instead, you find it easier to be by yourself own and avoid the outside world.

Sharing a bit of my story…❤️

I’ve been struggling for quite a while with depression. I was a shy, introverted girl from a young age, and I didn’t like being around people. When I started primary school at the age of six, I felt so uneasy, and it even got worse when I discovered how much I also struggled accademically.

Things didn’t get better when I got older. I started to isolate more from my family who noticed my distress and contacted a psychologist. The latter didn’t truly understand me fully, and as a teenager, it was also difficult to communicate how I truly felt with the right words.

Self-guilt has been one of the most painful symptoms, as it truly made me believe that I was a burden to my family. I felt guilty for feeling bad because I had and have a loving family and I felt I didn’t have reasons to be unwell, for instance.

Learning to cope with my depression…

A few years ago, I changed therapists, and she has been truly a warrior by my side, in addition to my closest family. ❤️

What I can say from my experience is that coping with depression is a true journey. It’s an ongoing process—maybe not the easiest one to deal with—but I grow so much with each experience I face and get stronger. Of course I fall many times, but the strength to face the depression is no small win at all!❤️

During a very difficult time in 2023, when my depression was at its worst, I slowly learned to practice mindfulness in my daily life. It made me slow down, see things from a different perspective. For example, instead of drinking the whole cup of tea in one gulp, I started to enjoy the practice of making tea and drinking it sip by sip.😊

Managing depression along the way…❤️

Besides getting proper help from professionals and the right support from loved ones, I would highly recommend that you start your day with routines. Familiar, daily routines can help you get through the day—at least that has been my experience.❤️I’ll talk more about this topic related to routines in my next upcoming wellness articles.

Daily mindfulness is another tool I would highly recommend. Mindfulness, or being in the here and now, can truly help you unwind and take things one at a time, instead of panicking and catastrophizing over things. Please, note that learning to be present with yourself takes time and commitment, so I would also recommend seeking help from a professional.

Journaling is another great way—at least for me—to write down the difficulties you face in your daily life. It could also be a great tool to share with your therapist. With time, when you feel better, you may also want to write about something positive that has happened in your day, or what you are grateful for. Please know that you don’t have to have a lot in your life to feel appreciation. For example, a hug from a loved one, or your dog wanting to play with you are great examples. ❤️

One thing I’m learning over and over is to be kinder to myself and not reprimand myself when things go wrong. So, I highly encourage you to also practice self-love and kindness. You are doing the best you can in this situation, so don’t be too hard on yourself.❤️

Remember, you are so much stronger than your depression. No matter how it tries to belittle you, you have the power to fight back, and become stronger with time!❤️

Much Love and Light ❤️✨

Sofia Lena 😊

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