How do you pursue (identify even) your ambitions while suffering with depression?

When I feel depressed, the last thing I am is ambitious. But I use the things that make me happy as motivation to refocus myself on my goals.

I force myself to at least try. If I used to like something, obviously there was a reason why. For example, if I used to love skiing, but now I'm not really feeling up to it, I will try and go, and see if I still enjoy it.

I try to remember that I can accomplish things I set my mind to and it is okay for me to go at a pace that I am comfortable going at. As long as I am moving forward that's all that matters.

I just tell myself that “this is something that needs to be done, get off your lazy butt and do it” most of the time it’s work for school, but you still have to tell yourself “if this is truly something you want to do, then you HAVE to do it”

This is a really tough one because when you're having a depressive episode, you feel apathetic and kind of numb about your future. For me, reading a book - any book, but especially a book in a genre that I like, or even a book I've read a few times before, can help reignite the fire or passion for that thing.

Write. When I say write, I mean you first brainstorm and then write an essay on what your goals are, what you want to get out of it, and why you want them. That is the best way to clear your mind, as writing forces you to organize your thoughts.

I take things one day at a time. I wake up in the morning, identify how I'm feeling and I go from there. Is the day feelings bleak? I make sure to try getting one daily goal done if possible to not sink into a vicious cycle of being in the passenger seat to my depression. If I can't, I try not to beat myself up. Tomorrow is a new day! If it's a good day where I feel I have the spoons, I actively work on multiples goals to achieve these ambitions. Every day is a struggle, but setting realistic expectations for myself helps me immensely.

identifying, let alone pursuing your ambitions while battling depression is quite hard. i, too, was unable to identify what i wanted and that iS understandable. the key is, which may not necessarily work for everyone but which worked for me, to think of what makes you happy? what is the one thing that you look forward to? what is the highlight of your day? what makes all the other suffering worth it? what gives you purpose, or a goal or just some sort of satisfaction that makes you feel even a glimpse of happiness? pondering upon those questions really helped me realize my passion for dancing and football. i wish luck to everyone who's struggling with depression, i hope you all succeed and fins what you are ambitious about!