What's the best way to stop fixating on sadness and try to focus on the positive when your mind is clouded by depression?

Think about what makes you happy. That might be a certain person or band. Do things that make you feel happy. Some things might be draw, sing, watch a movie, talk to friends. Just focus on anything that makes you happy :)

Write down 3 positive things that happened to you in the previous day, week or year. Write them down as a title and give each positive event or experience atleast a five sentence explanation as if you were writing it for someone else. Use a thesaurus or whatever you need to. Be descriptive. Do this daily and you will notice that in the moment or the day when something good is happening you will have the attention to detail through this practice to truly soak it in.

a distraction. It can be talking or playing on something you can enjoy or put an emotions on it, like something app that makes you happy or groove to the music. While your mood is in depression try to solve things, a math problem is one classic example focus on the things you found easy (e.g multiplication or division and not the calculus or trigonometry or anything unless you consider yourself as a good math genius

Do what you enjoy doing most. Imagine yourself putting the bad things in a jar and sealing it up. Then think about the good things in life.

I cannot give you specific time on when depression would go away, all i know is that it is treatable. You have the power to manage it, you'll get better. Don't stop fighting, you're brave enough to take the first step to overcome it.

i definitely recommend focusing on something that you love to get you through the day. Personally i focus on my career of what i want to be one day and remind myself i still have motivation and inspiration in me to keep myself going. Keep yourself a goal so you have something to look forward to, and when you have reached that goal, give yourself another one.

Thinking back to old memories and imagining the future to be like that is a good technique to use. It will make you see the good things in life.

Distraction. It's important to fight the kind of emotional paralysis that depression often creates and do something. Take a walk. Talk to a friend or family member. Engage a hobby. Do something to change your surroundings or circumstances. Give your brain something to do besides dwell on distressing feelings.

In this condition Im starting with reading a book, watching good film or start exercise. This will defocus your attention from sadness.

I like to read so I try to read as much as possible, reading a good book takes my mind off of my life. Do this with something you enjoy.