How can I maintain the will to live in the face of existential depression?

Know that it gets better. I have depression and I've had it for almost 7 years now. Although I am still having issues, It got alot better! I am able to cope with it. You will be able to cope as well!

Take a grip on what you care the most, and really important, understand that there are people who loves and cares of you, and this is not always just your own decision. Is it for love? Take a grip on that then, even you've been hurt for it, she/he left you, whatever the case it is, be there, keep fighting for it. If you really love them that you can't live with that person, think of it like being there for the day that person needs you.

First of all stop seeing the people and knowing about them who are better than you at present. Start seeing who are in Bad situations and yet happy despite there problems. It helps to feel you are better than them and brings some hope in you on life.

keep yourself busy, take up guitar or go start running. break routines and adopt a positive outlook. State of mind can be everything. Just keep your head up and take it a day at a time.

Remember that there is always something to live for and there is always someone who wants you alive and well physically and mentally. They do not have to be blood relatibes or even someone you know. We as a world have many people who are willing to help you with the emotional things you are going through or feeling. Many people understand that it is not your fault and have all been there in some points of our lives. You are NEVER alone and we all want you to be well..

The hope of a better tomorrow, the longing of the next hug, that text that i havent received yet, or the words i havent said yet

Remember this to shall pass. Know you are strong person who is capable of anything and know you already made one step closer to help by taking the first step coming to 7cups for listeners

You must remember that your existence is meaningful and that you are able to do anything that justifies its inherent suffering. Friedrich Nietzsche once quoted something along the lines: "Life can be meaningful enough to justify its suffering"

I think you definitely can. It might help to keep a journal or a mood chart and to document what you are feeling and the thoughts you are having and then try to reform them. If you say to yourself "What's the point of my life" maybe you could journal and create a list of all the things you are good at.

It sounds counter intuitive, but learning to live without a reason and just taking what comes with as much acceptance as you can muster is a big part of maintaining that will to live. Very often, you won't know your reason to live until you've tried a number of different things in life. For myself, I know that just living to be better than others doesn't motivate me much, but wanting to help others and feeling good about helping others does. My motivation comes from wanting to help others get out of depression, especially knowing that some people who have faced serious life challenges have helped me before. I also live to create art, and to see beautiful things; enjoy the sunshine, and read books that completely expand my way of thinking. Reading is such a helpful thing for depression - self-help books can transform the way you approach life issues (e.g. unemployment, broken relationships) and restore hope to situations where there was none previously.