As someone who has been dealing with chronic depression for a number of years, I have definitely felt sad a few times in my life. Whether you struggle with depression or not, everyone feels sad sometimes. In those melancholy moments, it can be hard to stay positive or remember that there's anything good in the world, but it is in these moments that it is most important to do so.
1. There is good in the world and you contribute to it.
Think of all the times you've seen people do good deeds--someone helping an elderly person with their bags at a grocery store, a child going out of their way to show the new kid around school, or someone giving a waitress a significantly large tip--and remember any of the times you did something like that.
2. It's never too late to go after what you really want.
J.K. Rowling was a single, impoverished, suicidal parent at age 28. Julia Child didn't even start learning how to cook until she was in her 30's. Morgan Freeman didn't get his first movie role until he was 52. There is no age limit on dreams.
3. There will always be new movies, shows, music, and books that will be waiting for you to enjoy them.
Think of all the movies, shows, music, and books that haven't even been thought of or created yet and get excited about it.
4. If all else fails, the sun will still come up tomorrow.
Each new day is a chance to start over. If you fail at something or you feel like your life is in shambles, a new day will bring with it a new chance for life to get better.
5. You are never truly alone.
There are over 7 billion people on this planet. At least one of them has to care about you.
6. Cute animals will always do funny stuff.
Think of all the funny cat videos the internet has graced us with over the years, or how funny your dog looks when it runs around the yard in a burst of energy. No matter how bad life gets, animals will always be there to lighten the mood a bit.
7. You draw strength from bad times in your life.
Think of it this way: you have lived through every bad time in your life so far, so each new day you make it through you're beating your track record. You have not yet failed, and you continue to get stronger. Isn't that something to feel better about?
8. There is no light without the dark.
You can't have happiness without sadness. It's just the way of the world. We would never know to appreciate the good days without having been through the bad ones.
9. You have trillions of little cells fighting to keep you alive right now.
Every cell in your entire body is keeping you safe from an immeasurable amount of diseases and keeping you alive every second of the day. If you ever feel like no one cares, you have a bunch of tiny cells that definitely care a lot.
10. Your favorite food makes everything better.
Go eat some good pasta and forget about your troubles for a bit. You deserve it.
11. There are still many adventures you have not yet gone on.
No matter what ails you, whether it be something as miniscule as a paper cut or something as tumultuously life-changing as the death of a loved one, the world will keep spinning and offering great new experiences to be had.
12. You'll be okay.
Sometimes you need help, but eventually you'll be okay. Sometimes you need medicine and sometimes you just need time; whatever is making you sad will eventually get better, though, whether you think so or not.
