Depression is one of the leading causes of death in recent times. The worst part of depression is that it’s eating oneself from inside. The feeling of emptiness for an eternal period of time can be heart-wrenching. There are innumerable reasons which can lead someone into depression, and it’s relative to an individual because of their life circumstances.

I believe that it’s natural that we all experience various moments of every emotional state, even the moments of depression. But when it spirals out of balance that’s the problem. For some, the easy way out is to numb the depression with various stimulants and even though that seems to work on the surface, it causes its own addiction. I believe the best strategy is to not run away, instead to embrace it. Yes, depression can be a powerful tool to “find oneself.”

My interaction with depression grew prominently when I didn’t feel the “happiness” I was promised by the “system.” Like several others, I bought into the rat race to finish college and work 9 to 5. In all honesty, that did make me financially stable for which I am grateful, however, I still felt empty from inside. Is this all to life?

My journey from the deepest point towards the surface started by listening to people who have gone through the adversities of life. And Ayahuasca, a plant medicine, played a vital role in helping me work with my depression by showing me the possibilities of life. The aha moment for me was to approach life with curiosity and I started learning new skillsets which improved my overall satisfaction with life. Maybe my depression isn’t as intense as some others are experiencing today, regardless, the episodes of depression can at times drain all the energy from within.

While the best help is always to consult the medical professionals, there are tools at our disposal that can help as well. Tools such as meditation, mindfulness, exposure to healthy stress of physical exercise, and mental gymnastics can help to cope with depression. Also, living a life filled with hope and purpose. And purpose doesn’t necessarily mean something glandular, it can be as basic as cooking a delicious meal or soak wisdom out of a book. And one of the best therapy is to live a life of service because serving others – living being or a cause, can generate the feeling of selflessness, and also uplift other lives.

Depression is a frenemy who uses a stick to push you towards the purpose of your life, who takes you to the deep dark hole of emptiness just so you can pass through it and see the light on the other side.

Credits

Music from https://www.hooksounds.com by (in order), Artist: sutheecomposer

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