There are two roads to take when you are feeling down.
One is to make yourself feel worse by blaming every person and situation in your past, present and future for the way that you feel, including yourself.
Then think of all the things in your life that you dislike and play them over and over in your mind until you get to the feeling of hopelessness.
You can then engage in bad habits such as drinking an excess of alcohol or overeating to make you feel numb.
The other path you can take is to sit down and think of all the things you can do to make yourself happy.
If the source of your depression is lack of money, then find things that will make you happy that you will be able to afford. Remember that the best things in life are free (or really don’t cost that much.)
Here are some examples:
- seeing a show
- taking a walk in nature
- going to a dance
- planning a long-term goal such as a vacation that you may save towards
- re-arranging or decorating a room in your home
- signing up to take a course or workshop in something that interests you
- making a list of different ways you can go into business for yourself
- volunteering
- painting, singing, writing, playing a musical instrument
- going to a social event
- joining a club such as a book club, hiking club, or meetups online where you can go on outings with groups of people
- brainstorming ways to get a better job, home, or education
- making a list of all the good things in your life and really appreciating them
When you take responsibility for your own happiness the world opens up new, exciting opportunities and friendships. Your ability to be happy expands and as a result your sadness shrinks.
It sounds simplistic but it works.
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