What Your Depression Might Be Trying to Teach You

Depression and I know each other well. I’ve come to respect it. It has always told me where I need to look and give more attention to. Just like your triggers can show you where you can grow or heal. Everything we experience is a lesson and a blessing. Including depression.

Some of the darkest days of your life will make you feel trapped. You may feel like you are backed into a corner with no way out. Those are the dark nights of the soul. The nights that will awaken something in you that you always knew existed but has been laying dormant for years. It will disturb you, motivate you, and change you.

Almost as if, bringing you to your breaking point is what you needed. You aren’t acting on your full potential, so the universe is bringing it to you, and out of you.

Sometimes we become so unhappy with our circumstances and feel like there is no way out. That’s when you go inward. Inside yourself, to discover and create your purpose. Some of the most beautiful, wise souls will have the hardest journeys to bring them back to their truest self. Back to what they came here to do. Don’t sleep on it. Don’t sleep on your dreams. Don’t sleep on your potential. Remember, your dreams and ideas were brought to you for a reason. They exist because your higher self is calling you to act on them. And you’re not only doing this for yourself. You’re becoming a better version of yourself for your family, your friends, for anyone you meet, and for the universe.

So yes, I believe there is purpose to your depression. You can stay sad. Or you can do something about it to change your life. You can also change how you feel. It may be challenging at times but so is living with depression.

It always helps me to put things into perspective. My favourite way to do so is by thinking about me reviewing my life after I die. Did I go for what I wanted? Did I become who I came here to be? Life is precious and fast. 

Depression comes from not acting on what excites you and if nothing excites you, you might lack purpose. Here’s what’s going to happen if you lack purpose:

Every morning will be a challenge to get out of bed. Each day you will feel less and become numb. The days turn into nights and the nights into months and those months into years. Time passes by but you don’t know where it went or what you did with it. You will become so bored with your life. You will struggle to find anything that brings you joy. If you do feel joy, you know it won’t last. Nothing to look forward to tomorrow or a year from now. You are unmotivated for life and even stop taking care of yourself. I know this to be true because for a long time my life lacked purpose. And these were the days of my life – no pun intended.

Some of the greatest decisions I’ve made in my life have been because I was pushed to my breaking point.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Make a goal
2. Act: even if it’s one small step everyday, your life has direction and you’re moving toward it.
3. Practice self love (I just created a guide called 5 Steps to Loving Yourself available on my Shop page)
4. Plan a trip (something to look forward to)
5. Rest when you need it (avoid burnout, you are a human not a machine)
6. Less consuming more creating (please, stop doom strolling social media – set a timer if you must!)
7. Meditate or pray (10 minutes every day)
8. Move your body
9. Continue to learn about things you’re interested in
10. Start a new hobby
11. Clean your space (clean room = clean mind and a clean mind = ideas from God)
12. Always show yourself compassion (life’s hard and we are doing our best)

If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression, please check out my resources page. Don’t be afraid to reach out when you need help.

Also, feel free to comment or dm me on Instagram if you are interested in continuing this conversation. You are so brave, and you got this!

With love,

Jessie
The Malleable Path.