Talking to my therapist and getting some exercise. Just getting out of the house in general really boosts my energy and helps me forget about the things at home stressing me out.

@arow I've had depression since middle School. I've just always been prone to it. It seemed to go away for awhile a few years ago then something (too big of a story to explain) brought it back and it's been on and off long term lows every since. The last time i felt truly happy was when i was pregnant.

I've been on meds before in high school and hated it so much. I felt like an empty shell so after several years i stopped talking them. I used to go to therapy regularly but then i moved out of my parents house and didn't keep up with it, not that i could afford it anymore.

However if this doesn't get better i may have to consider medication for awhile.

@vee if i could hug you i would. That is a fantastic way to look at it. ❤

Therapy can do wonders if you want to avoid meds. There's even groups you can go to with others struggling with the same things you are. It helps being in a group knowing your not alone on this and openly talk about how you really feel without judgment. I'm bipolar and know this struggle all to well. There will be weeks to months I'll fall into depprison. I also take meds but I'm on low doses. Try to do little things for yourself. Things you enjoy. Like for me I love to do my make up and dress up. There's days I'll force myself to start getting ready but once I'm done I feel a little better knowing I did something for me. Also can I ask why you want to avoid meds? Lots have a fear that they will have to be on them forever, side effects or it simply not working as fast as they would like. Sounds like you have mild depprison. Ones with that typically only need meds for a short while. Pretty much like a reset for yourself. Once you reset you can slowly get off them. Don't fear being on them but do fear how far you'll spiral down without that help. It doesn't take much to fall into deep depprison. It's okay to be on meds. It's okay to ask for help. Sure vitamins and forcing yourself to go outside could help but if you are really that depressed then I suggest medical help. Again if you really want to avoid meds then therapy alone can do wonders. It gives you healthy tools on how to cope. Along with someone to openly talk to without it back firing. Aka a family member who spills your personal info to others. If you ever need to talk pm me. I was diagnose manic depressive at 12 and full bipolar at 22. Lots of years of trying and finding ways to deal with things your going though. Hugs op.

Thanks vee I needed to read that too

Sometimes you just have to accept that doing your best doesn't mean the same thing every day. It's ok to let yourself 'slack.' like with any other chronic condition you need to be gentle with yourself about what's realistic for you that day. Example: I'm probably not getting out from under my blankets today. Some days my best is cooking cleaning and doing arts and crafts but today my best is keeping them fed. I will have a different best tomorrow.

I try and recognise the good things that I’ve done in that day. For example, if I didn’t want to get out of the house then getting up and out is a great achievement and something I should be proud of. Try and recognise the good things that have happened in the day (making your child laugh etc) over the bad. It’s a lot easier if you note them down and you’ll suddenly realise that what you thought was a bad day actually wasn’t too bad at all and you’ve done really well.

Getting outside does usually help me. It gets my toddler out of the house and gives me new surroundings. I still feel like I didn’t do enough with my son some days, that I didn’t love on him enough or wasn’t patient enough or did anything with him. It will get better ?

I try to change up my environment, preferably something outside. When I'm feeling extra down, I want to crawl in bed and do nothing, but you can't parent a 2 year old Very well from the comfort of your bed. So I force myself to jump out of bed, get some shoes on and I take my daughter for a walk. Even just sitting outside on the front steps and letting her run around does wonders for me.

Hope you find relief soon!

I do all the things. Meds, vitamins, exercise, fresh air... some days I still just want to go to bed and not interact with anyone for a whole day. I try not to be a “mean mom” as my son calls it, and silently suffer through my bad days.

Vitamins. Exercise. Sometimes making myself do the things I don’t want to. Getting outside. Some days watching something silly on YouTube can help a little

I take time for myself to truly ask myself what is at the root of how I am feeling and when I discover the true reason I do all I can to combat it. It's not easy mama.

I watch infinite waters on YouTube to boost my confidence up and look life in a different way.

And then I listen to music