Depression is the word we use to describe emptiness and hopelessness. Even if it’s clinical depression, doctors recommend almost the same solutions.
Most people think doing what you love is cure for depression but it goes beyond that.
I’ve seen that 2 types of people fall into depressive thoughts. Before that, keep in mind that depression is not mourning or sadness.
Who is a candidate?
Those who have predictable routines and work. They tend to fall into the depression trap.
Those who tie outcomes to metrics beyond ”self”.
Solution to 1 - Friction
Friction is what makes us human. The challenges, sweat, tears and excitement of starting something new. If you do the same thing over and over again, like a machine, without the randomness of life, you’re a good candidate for depression. This is why you should pick up a new hobby, learn a new skill, join a club, go for sport practice, move out of your childhood town, travel, fall in love, join a community. Keep doing new things, forever.
A good way to know you aren’t doing enough is if you’re not excited to jump out of bed to do what you love. If you have an extreme case of depression or ADHD, I’d strongly suggest that you pick up programming or chess. Do something that gets you so much into the zone, every day.
Solution to 2 - Be aware
Detach yourself from the numbers of life. If you don’t believe having 2 friends is enough to make you happy, you are a good candidate for depression.
Read books and listen to podcasts to widen your imagination. Meditate. Spend more time on building yourself. Take your eyes off the score board.
Appreciate the little things of life and you’ll see how irrelevant many things are.
