tattoos are my religion.

Ah, well.  This is a bit of a difficult subject to discuss, but it’s so very important.  Depression, I think, is a very real, and very unkind beast, and misunderstood by far too many.  You may at times feel like you’re all alone, or that absolutely no one in the world could understand how that pain feels.  It can be sharp and aching, but, as I understand, it can also be a slow moving, grey sort of suffering.  And it is silent, and it can be terribly frightening.

The most important thing to realize first, I believe, is to know that no matter what, you are absolutely not alone.  It can be very hard to remember, but there are people out there who care very much for you.  Myself, for example.  The next would be to remember that, it does get better.  You will find your next good day, and you can appreciate it that much more, when it comes.  

It’s alright to be sad.  It’s alright to hurt, and to let those emotions out.  You very much need to, I think.  But it is also equally important to do your best to not let this illness swallow you up.  The truth of it all, is that there is no easy solution for depression.  For those that have it, it will be a fight.  You must be strong, and it can be hard, but I know you can do it.  

Contact a friend, if you can.  Try to move around a bit- going outside, or getting a bit of sunshine, can be very helpful.  Taking some time for your favorite activities can be a help, and if not, do something- just one thing, to be productive.  Check it off your list to remove that stress, and try to move on to the next item, and the next.  It can be quite the process, but I promise you, I promise, that it will get better.  And you may need to fight it again, and again, but you will find yourself stronger for it.