The first step for moving from depression to happiness is to DECIDE. You may have been down for so long you don't realize that more is possible. It's not true. But you must be willing to think and act differently.
The first thing I suggest you do is to limit your time on social media. Consciously or unconsciously, you're constantly making life comparisons. Most people put on their best face for the camera. "Look how wonderful my life is!" But it rarely represents the whole truth. We all struggle. Whatever the appearances, you've been given your life to live.
Paul says, "Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself withothers. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life" [Galatians 6:4-5, The Message].
If you're lacking joy, turn off the noise. Mindfulness is the practice of slowing down, focusing on your breathing, and entering into the moment. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. But right now. Jesus says you can do this with Him! "“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Getawaywithme and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk withme and work withme—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company withme and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” [Matt. 11:28-30, The Message].
If you're your own worst enemy, criticizing your every move, go in a different direction. Focus on others. Love others. Serve others. We are meant to live in connection. Paradoxically, doing more for others can help you to feel better about yourself. "In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s bodyof chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a partof his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t" [Romans 12:4-8, The Message].
Become aware of your focus and your complaints. If you constantly focus on the negative it means you're not focusing on solutions and what can be. You will remain stuck. Paul says it this way: "I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies" [Phil. 4:8-9].
Your depression may feel familiar, even comfortable. But to experience more you have to get out of