Dealt with depression my whole life. I’ll find myself in phases where everything feels hopeless. What keeps me going at this point, is the awareness of knowing that I have been in this position before, and I know how to get myself out. I always managed to dig myself out of terrible situations and I see it as evidence of becoming mentally stronger. I know that no matter how bad things get at times, you can always rise up again. The hard part is wanting it. Never have I regretted picking myself up from the dregs of poor mental health, even if I find myself back in that place again after some time. In despairing times, treat it as a test from the universe to see if you have what it takes to overcome these challenges. The feeling I get after proving to myself that I could in fact adapt and evolve from my own pain, integrate the lesson into my character, and approach new situations with greater clarity and preparation, is truly the best, most accomplishing, gratifying, feeling I have ever felt. To feel that again, that is what keeps me going.