When I was 22 years old, I was diagnosed with depression. That diagnosis, and the journey that followed, has defined much of my life. It has shaped my relationships with family, friends, romantic partners, colleagues, and, perhaps most significantly, myself.
Depression is complicated. It is heavy, relentless, and has the power to cloud your world in ways that feel impossible to navigate. And yet, for all its challenges, depression has taught me truths that I might not have grasped otherwise. It has helped me see both the dark and the light in life. Ironically, it has also been a driving force in my creative journey as a writer, editor, journalist, and now, a business owner.
For a time, I tried medication. The pills helped blunt the worst edges of the darkness, but they also muted something else, something I didn’t want to lose. The same part of my brain that gets weighed down by depression is also the part that allows me to connect deeply with the world and the people in it. It is the part that sees beauty in complexity and can turn difficult feelings into meaningful work. That dark side of my creative process often leads to bright, transformative moments. Why? Because light is most vivid when contrasted with shadow. Love feels deepest when you have known loss.
But this isn’t just about me. My struggles with depression, while personal, are not unique. Millions of people around the world wrestle with it daily. What I’ve learned, and what I want to share, is that there is a way forward. It isn’t easy, and it isn’t linear, but it is there.
So, what’s the lesson?
Talk about it. Speak with your family, your friends, or a professional. Depression thrives in silence, but it begins to lose its power the moment you name it out loud.
Ask for help. Whether that is therapy, medication, or simply leaning on the people who love you, know that seeking support is not a weakness. It is one of the bravest things you can do.
Face it head-on. Depression is not something you “fix” or “get over.” It is something you manage, day by day, moment by moment. There will be setbacks, but every step you take toward understanding yourself is a victory.
Embrace the whole of you. Depression isn’t the sum of who you are; it is just a part. And every part of you, the good, the bad, and even the ugly, is worth loving.
Over the years, I’ve come to realize that depression, for all its weight, has also changed me in profound and positive ways. It has taught me resilience. It has given me empathy. It has allowed me to create work that resonates deeply with others because it comes from a place of truth. Most importantly, it has helped me understand that life isn’t about erasing the darkness. It is about learning how to live with it while finding beauty along the way.
If you’re reading this and struggling, there is something I want you to know. You are not alone. Your feelings are valid, and your journey is your own. No matter how heavy the burden feels today, there is hope. There is light… even if you cannot see it yet.
Start by reaching out. Start by taking one small step. Start by believing that, little by little, things can get better. And they will.
Because you, just as you are, are worth the effort.
