 When you have depression as a child and continue to battle with it into adulthood, there is a huge chunk of you that is missing. This translates into not knowing who you are and what you want out of life. You may have an idea, but it isn't enough. Growing up with depression transforms you into an unrecognizable person, realizing there were many opportunities you missed and numerous fun activities you would have loved to participate in. You had friendships that were severed because of years in isolation. There are places that no longer exist that you could have gone to if only you had the energy. Once you come out of the grips of depression, life seems weird, hostile, confusing, and threatening. You don't know how to move forward, and a portion of your mind is trying to convince you to run back to your old self. Please, don't listen to your inner demons. Hold on to hope, to that side of you that is longing for life. If you are angry, use it to propel yourself towards your goals and dreams. Take steps each day and don't look back. Your past will no longer serve you, and the future is unpredictable. You only have the present moment, so cherish it. Don't think of yourself as a victim. Believe you are a survivor. Every time a negative thought pops up in your mind, counter it by thinking of three positive ones. Think of yourself as the artist of your life, creating a masterpiece you would love to live in. Become the person who the five-year-old you would have been proud of. Start by picking up new hobbies you've always wanted to try. Look up colleges or universities that can prepare you for your dream career. Join a club or take classes that will allow you to meet new people. Surround yourself with friends and family who can pick you up on the bad days. Taking life head on isn't easy, especially if you don't have the knowledge, tools, and resources. There will be moments of self-doubt. You will question yourself constantly, but don't worry. This is normal. Your brain is designed to protect you. Since you've lived in anguish, it is all your brain knows. Once you start facing your fears, I can promise you, self-doubt will no longer control your decisions. Join the millions of other people fighting to build a life worth living. You are not alone. Look for inspiration in others. Look for help and guidance when needed. If you are stuck, that's okay too. Search for ways to reinvent yourself. Look for solutions. And if there isn't any, then make it up as you go. There isn't a magical formula for living a happy, fulfilling life. Every single one of us will heal in different ways. I dare you to live, not just survive. Believe in your value. Give yourself love, because your existence matters. We at Psych2Go are all rooting for your success. We want to be a safe space for you, so if you'd like, you can share your story in the comments below. If you found some inspiration from this video, be sure to give us a like and share this video with someone you think it could help. If you want to see more content like this, make sure to subscribe. And as always, thanks for watching.