9 Powerful Actions that helped me to Overcome Depression

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I wanted to add my voice to the conversation by sharing my story. I've talked more about my experience with depression in the post, Changing Careers and Battling Depression. 

This week, I want to share with you the 9 things that helped me to overcome depression.

I would be lying if I said this happened overnight. This process took place over two to three years and is ongoing maintenance.

Let's walk through this list of habits and practices that helped to pull my mind and body out of depression.

1. A 30-day Self Challenge

The beginning of my new journey to get out of depression started with me creating a list of where I wanted to go. Each day I had one thing that I needed to do to help my mental health. My list included finishing incomplete projects and making amends with individuals as necessary. 

I didn't want to do life the way I was doing it and this was my opportunity to invite change into my life. This was a game but the only player was myself. Many of my to-do's did cause a bit of anxiety but I knew that taking action was a good start to get my mind working again. 

2. Grieved, fully

I allowed myself to grieve the loss of loved ones and lost aspirations. I realized that I hadn't fully grieved when one of my family members passed away and that pain needed to be released from my heart. This transitioned into grieving disappointments and ideas about who I wanted to be. 

The process was painful but necessary.

3. Developed a Growth Mindset

After I completed the 30-day challenge, I created a list of things I wanted to achieve. One major point on this list was to develop a growth mindset. I began listening to podcasts and other resources to learn what a growth mindset looked like. One of my favourite podcasts is by Chrystal Evans Hurst - The Sister Circle Podcast

4. Renewed my mind

Initially, it began with me seeking to understand who God is on my own. You know, "Amma See for Myself." by Ariel Fitz. Yes, that was me. I wanted to learn if God was real and what He had to say about me. I took a deep dive into reading scriptures and what they really meant. When I read Isaiah 43:18-19, I realized that God didn't want us to live stagnated by the past. And it began the process of renewing my mind. 

Isaiah 43:18-19 KJV

"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

Much unlearning and relearning happened in my heart about who God is and who I wanted to be. The renewing of my mind started with my faith and what it meant to be a Christian. And it transitioned into how I viewed the world, failure, disappointments, and goals/achievements.

5. Detached myself from old memories.

I kept telling myself that it was time to start afresh. While I renewed my mind, I worked on changing my environment. I gave away items I no longer needed to the Salvation Army and other communities. Throughout this process, I never told myself I was becoming a minimalist. This moment was a letting go of the old to me.

6. Started living backwards

I looked at the end of my life and thought of who I wanted to be remembered as. My thoughts and decisions slowly circled, "I'm living from the end to the beginning." 

7. Learned the true meaning of peace

I always thought peace meant everything was calm and things were going well. I learned that true peace is internal calmness when the world falls apart. Peace is knowing that bad days happen and each day is an opportunity to start fresh. 

8. Took my nutrition more seriously

I changed my eating habits and added smoothies to my morning routine. A healthy smoothie in the morning boosted my mood and gave me mental clarity.

9. Worked on my sleep hygiene

This was the hardest of all the things on this list. I chose a time to go to bed and would turn the Wi-Fi off on my phone at night to signal to myself that it was time to go to sleep. When I couldn't fall asleep I'd make myself a cup of tea. Shutting off my mind was the biggest challenge but things changed gradually.

Consider this as a guide and not the blueprint for overcoming depression. These helped me; if they help you, that's amazing. But, the possibility is there that it may not. Don't be afraid to seek help. 

Let's chat in the comments.