I have found that having a living being to care for makes you get out of bed each morning. I have pets. Some people have plants. Some have children! Having a reason to get out of bed helps. Otherwise, I would stay in bed all day.

I don’t if I can give any advice really, however what I would say is you have to learn to love yourself, you ARE important and even on your worst day, people do want you to make it. Take each day at a time, do not become the victim, this can be hard to hear from family and friends but I feel positive as year is coming to an end. Sending positive thoughts and energy to you all xx

Depression has shown me that sadness can be a part of being human too

I agree, this too will pass. I will never give up.

The old cliche` "Don't sweat the small stuff" has been my 'go to' saying for a while. Although, there are those times that I just can't kick whatever is causing the depression. Can't kick it no matter how hard I try, no matter how hard I try to do something to ease my mind or get my mind onto something else. I guess I'm not really giving good advice, am I? The best thing is perseverance and knowing that it will become more manageable. Maybe not today, maybe not until tomorrow and it may not go away completely but I will be able to start my day by getting out of bed and eating breakfast. It is on those days that I can keep busy. Well as busy as I can since I'm tethered to oxygen, so I color, a lot. I like to listen to a book while I color. These are my two vices that help. I used to walk. I really miss it too. I would walk about 4 miles a day. Well, now I'm lucky if I can walk to my car without losing my breath. Which sucks, but that's an issue for another time.