I've been depressed my entire life, what is it like to not be depressed?

Not be depressed mean waking up the morning with smiling, being happy to do some things, like eating a good cake, read a book you like, watch a movie. You won't cry during a concert or a movie for no reason and you'll fall asleep without crying.

Being depressed feels very futile. It means not being able to see positives, only the negatives and feeling bad and guilty towards others in your life. It makes you want to retreat and any activity is very hard work, because you are afraid something will be wrong, or you will do something wrong.

For me it was like a heavy rock was lifted from my back and the sun shined for the first time after a long and dark winter. I felt empowered, refreshed and.. grateful. I was alive again, I had survived.

I think this differs for everyone. As someone who has experienced depression for 7 years and was able to get out of it, I feel content these days. I am no longer always hating myself, in constant tears, empty, or angry. I am now able to enjoy the little things in life like the sun or the rain, food, and the company of others around me.

You don't cry all the time and you often wake up in the morning feeling like you could do some things, and like there might be a point to doing some of those things. Your life seems worthwhile and you don't have to use coping mechanisms to deal with the horror of it. You feel cheerful and optimistic fairly often even when you're not exercising.

That's a hard question because I've always been moderately depressed aswell. Not being depressed is when you can smile that day and not cry the following night. Where you can go have fun with friends, go hiking, camping, take a late night drive. Look at the stars and the night sky. Lay on a blanket and share laughs and memories. Not being depressed is knowing that next day you'll be better. That it isn't permenant.

After my mother's death, I was depressed for over a year. Looking back now, I don't remember most of that year. It took everything I had in me just to get out of bed, go to work and take care of my family. Focusing on my new child is what helped me seek professional help, take an antidepressant and saved me. Asking for help is a wonderful thing.

After living through many years of depression and coming out on top, it feels honorable. Most people take happiness for granted, however after living through hell and suffering extensively every happy moment feels like something I truly deserve. Never give up friend, no matter how harrowing depression may be there is always a way to get better.

Probably the oddest part of not being depressed is not even thinking about the fact that one isn't depressed. The nature of people is to take the routine things of life for granted. People simply don't obsess about their situation unless they have compelling reason to, like they're unhappy or in danger or anything that comes to mind that isn't tolerable long term. It's also possible to obsess about nothing at all. Because people have an imagination, they can conjure up whole worlds that don't exist, never have and never will. It's a remarkable talent (the stuff of novels and theater), but it can be a dangerous substitute for reality (think "Walter Mitty"). Don't be afraid to explore, but don't sell the farm, either.

When depressed, moments of happiness are even more treasured. True happiness is experienced when you've been through real pain.