Being depressed is no joke, and it can happen to anyone for any reason. Mental illness does not have an age, race, or gender, and it can come at any time. It took me a really long time to realize that I was depressed, because I didn't think my life was "bad" enough. But let me tell you something: there is no limit to what can make you depressed. Yeah, someone out there will always have it worse than you, but that doesn't mean your issues can just be brushed to the side. You're depressed. And that's okay.

First and foremost, it's important that you understand that mental illness is nothing to joke about, and nothing to handle on your own. Get help. Even if you think you're probably okay without it. I thought I was okay for a long time, and then one day I had a breakdown in the bathroom at my brother's house and I knew it was time to ask someone for help. Seeking a professional does not make you weak; accepting that you can't handle things on your own makes you strong.

Something I always found helps me is finding inspirational quotes. I make them my phone and computer backgrounds, scrawl them all over my notebooks, and perhaps most importantly, I write them on my mirror in my bedroom so I see them every time I look at myself. So, without further ado, here is a list of my favorites (disclaimer, I do not own the rights to any of these quotes):

1. You are what you love, not who loves you.

Sometimes we get so down on ourselves because someone doesn't like us back, but it's important to remember the things that we're passionate about and love to do. Those things define us, not the losers who don't see what they're missing when they turn us down.

2. Be the change you want to see in the world.

There's a lot of crappy stuff out there, and probably a lot of stuff you wish could be different. Take the first step in making it better.

3. Feel your pulse. Feel your purpose.

This was taken from a much longer quote: "Having a rough morning? Place your hand over your heart. Feel that? That's called purpose. You're alive for a reason. Don't give up." Seriously. Put your hand over your heart or on your wrist or neck right this second and feel it beat. That soft thumping has a purpose. Find it.

4. You are not alone.

This was the hardest for me to learn. When it's three in the morning and you're crying into your pillow in your big empty bed, it's easy to believe you're alone. But there is always somebody out there who cares. It might be someone you'd least expect, but they're out there. I promise.

5. It gets better.

Remind yourself every day. Scream it to the heavens, write it on your skin, plaster it all over your walls. It gets better. Every day has the possibility to be better than the last, and when you look back even a few months, you realize how different of a person you are. You grow and you change every day. Pain is never permanent.

6. You are so much stronger than you think.

You got out of bed today? That's strength. You talked to someone? That's strength. You ate something? Strength. Every step you take makes you stronger and every time you make any sort of effort you're that much closer to being okay.

7. You are enough.

No, really. Stop that thought right now. Right now. Stop thinking you're not enough for someone or something. You're more than enough. You're enough to find someone or something who appreciates how amazing you are and doesn't take you for granted. That feeling is out there. You just have to keep looking for it. Never give up.

8. Be it.

This has become my most frequently viewed quote recently. I've been writing it on my wrist to remind myself that I can be whatever I want to be. What do you want to be today? Happy? Be it. Strong? Be it. Fearless? Be it. You just have to make the choice.

9. You are worth more than you know.

A few days ago a friend of mine came into my room and saw all the things I had written on my mirror. She asked where I kept the dry erase markers I used to write it all and when she found them, she immediately wrote this quote down. I was in the middle of something while it happened and I didn't even notice until she left, and when I did see it it brought tears to my eyes. Some days you might not see your worth, but someone else sees it in you even in your darkest hours.

10. Be your own anchor.

This has been my favorite quote since I first heard it years ago and will probably continue to be my favorite for the rest of my life. We spend most of our lives believing that we need certain people or objects to keep us anchored; that is, to keep us sane and happy. I'm here to tell you that that's all crap. People leave. Objects get old and break. Everything has a shelf life. But the one person who will always be there for you through heartbreak and death and despair is yourself. You have to live with yourself for the rest of your life. The most important thing you will ever learn is how to keep yourself anchored. I can't tell you for sure how it feels when you finally learn how. I'm still working on it. But I'm smart enough to know that figuring it out is the most sure way to keep yourself alive.