What to do when you’re depressed? We don’t know what’s good for us anymore, so we go around in circles, unaware that we’re feeding our sadness. That’s why I invite you to ask yourself these 10 questions that will help you see things more clearly and feel better.

1 – What to do when you’re depressed: what thoughts come back to me most often?

Studies have shown that we have up to 60,000 thoughts a day. And that the majority of our thoughts are the same as the day before. Yes, we replay our thoughts.

What’s more, as we dwell on them, we end up identifying with them. We give them too much importance and make them our reality.

Did you know that we’re not responsible for our thoughts? Our thoughts come and go without us having any control over them. The only thing we’re responsible for is letting them hurt us.

Indeed, we have the choice of seeing thoughts as passing clouds.

“When an idea disturbs you, label it a “thought” and let it go”.

So take a few moments, 5 minutes, to think about the thoughts that cause you pain and that come up most often.

Then, keep the sheet of paper on which you’ve just written your thoughts and reread it very often. Identify these thoughts and the next time you hear them, say to yourself “It’s just a thought, it’s passing by without having any impact on me”.

I know it’s not easy. Right now, in fact, I’m letting myself be consumed by thoughts. So I breathe to let them go. I count my breaths to 10 and repeat until my mind is calm again.

What to do when you’re depressed? Understand that most of our suffering is caused by our attachment to our thoughts. We believe what they tell us.

Instead, let’s focus on the present moment: what do we see? What do we smell? What do we hear? Life is here and now, and it still has so much to offer us.

“To think is to extract ourselves from the present to fish in the waters of the past or the future. Yet experience is always part of the present.

2 – What are the worst moments of my life?

Take 5 minutes. List the worst moments of your life and try to think of the best thing that came out of each one?

Do you remember a difficult moment in your life when, over time, something wonderful happened?

Indeed, a separation can lead to an even more beautiful encounter. A redundancy can lead to a more meaningful job. An accident can give us time to reflect and give our lives a new direction…

What to do when you’re depressed? Look at this list. It will help us put what’s happening to us today into perspective.

Maybe what you’re going through is hurting you today. Can you imagine yourself in a few months’ time living something wonderful, like you did before?

“Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to grasp the immensity of the sky”.

3 – What to do when you’re depressed: what are your fondest memories of the past?

What are the 10 things you should never have forgotten?

This question, this list, will have the power to make you smile and even cry with joy.

When we look for the best in our past, we realize that, yes, life can be cruel, but it can also be wonderful.

Let’s not give up hope. Life is worth living. Let’s not forget that!

What to do when you’re depressed? Reread these 10 things we should never have forgotten!

4 – What are the things I can’t forgive myself for?

Take 5 minutes to list the things you’re still ashamed of, or that still make you feel guilty and regretful.

Then forgive yourself. Tell yourself, repeat to yourself that you did your best every time.

Give yourself the right to evolve and learn over time.

We don’t have to be perfect, just the best we can be!

5 – What are the things I could simplify and clarify in my life?

“We have a tendency to use too many words, to waste a lot of resources and time on trifles”.

We lack clarity and hide it behind too much blah, blah, blah. Let’s take the time to clarify things, to get to know ourselves, to know what we want.

Can you describe yourself in 1 sentence, your job, your dream, your daily life, a member of your entourage in 1 sentence?

6 – What to do when you’re depressed: what objects from the past are keeping me from living?

We tend to downplay the impact that objects have on us, on our moods, our energy levels and even on our lives.

Objects can be our best allies, nourishing us with beautiful vibes, but they can also be our worst enemies, constantly bringing us back to the past. A past that no longer has a place in our daily lives.

List the objects that remind you too much of the past, a painful past, a past you dwell on. Take these objects, say goodbye to them, take a photo of them and give them away!

What to do when you’re depressed? Keep only the things that help you live today.

7 – When was the last time I made a decision?

“There was a world of difference between formulating an idea and carrying it out”.

Sadness feeds on inaction. Haven’t you noticed that when you do something, your sadness eases.

Happiness is in the doing.

When sadness gets too strong, making a decision, no matter how small, will prevent you from staying too long in sadness.

It can be as simple as taking a shower, walking the dog or making a meal, but it can also be more significant, like taking steps to change jobs, or finding out about moving…

Reading things that make you feel good is perhaps one of the best decisions you can make. Every time I feel a little down, I open a book and my heart lightens, because I tell myself: Yes, life is worth living and joy always follows sadness and suffering. I just have to be patient. So, why not be patient in the company of our favorite books?

8 – What are the 10 things I would do before I died, if I knew I was going to die in 3 months?

What a brilliant question! It allows us to see what our priorities are.

What are the things we could do to give ourselves the feeling of enjoying life?

When we’re bored with our lives – and it’s only human to feel that way – making or re-reading this list helps us to regain our optimism and enthusiasm.

What to do when you’re depressed? Commit to doing these 10 things. How about doing one a week?

9 – What to do when you’re depressed: have you made peace with your surroundings?

“Before you leave, you have to make peace with the world and with the people you love. Starting with yourself.”

What often makes us sad is the very idea of our own death or that of our loved ones.

The fear of death can be overcome. Yes, death can seem a logical end to a full life.

Make your life worth living by making peace with it, with who you are and what you do.

“Death is only sad for people who didn’t dare to live.

10 – Does my life lack meaning?

If there’s one thing that makes our lives feel meaningful, it’s making someone happy.

Feeling useful to others is perhaps the best feeling we can have.

Turn away from your sadness and open up to the people around you. Smile, listen to them, accompany them. Live in the company of others!

That last question is incredible! It really does take our minds off our sadness. Helping others, participating in their happiness, is the best way to feel good. What do you think?

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover What causes depression? Identify them to heal
Discover What to do on a Sunday evening: 10 ideas to keep your spirits up

I recommend this inspiring book:

Unf–k Your Brain: Using Science to Get Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers by Faith G. Harper

This book combines scientific knowledge with practical advice to help readers navigate and overcome the challenges of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. It takes a straightforward, humorous approach and provides tools rooted in psychology and neuroscience. With an emphasis on self-awareness and empowerment, Harper guides readers through strategies for understanding and managing their mental health, offering a roadmap for those seeking practical, science-based solutions to unleash their brains and regain control of their emotional well-being.

The perfect explanation of how our brains work, using science, profanity and humor. And how we can reconnect the brain in a better way than by using toxic habits and comforts.
I love the author’s authenticity and sense of humor, which made the book easier to read. It contains some very good points. Awareness and education are essential to begin to identify anger, anxiety, depression or any other problem you may be suffering from. It’s time to alleviate the pain we often inflict on ourselves. Read this book and keep moving forward.

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself