Depression

There is light at the end of the tunnel

There have been times in my life when I have woken up and thought, “I don’t know if I have it in me today.” Not because anything catastrophic had happened that morning, but because the weight of everything seemed to settle on my shoulders all at once. I think most of us, at some point, have felt that heaviness. For me, it often comes in times of transition—when I have lost someone I loved, when work felt overwhelming, or when I questioned if my life was headed in the right direction.

Depression does not always arrive with flashing warning lights. Sometimes it creeps quietly, a little less joy in the things we used to love, a little more heaviness in the mornings, a little more silence when we should be laughing. It is one of the most common struggles of the human experience, and yet when it shows up, it can feel incredibly isolating. For me, sometimes just watching the news and seeing world conditions filled with war, crime, disasters, political upheaval, and hatred can be very depressing. I can have a smile on my face while still having these heavy, dark feelings inside.

However, depression is not a personal weakness—it is a human experience that many face. What matters most is recognizing it, reaching out, and taking steps (even small ones) toward healing.

So why do we, as humans, become depressed? The reasons vary, but often they fall into familiar themes. For some, it is biological—genetics, brain chemistry, or even shifts in hormones that tilt the emotional balance. For others, it is the weight of life: stress that never seems to end, losses that break our hearts, the ache of feeling disconnected from others or taking on the weight of conditions that we cannot change or affect. Sometimes, it is life transitions that we were not ready for—a job change, retirement, illness, or simply the realization that things are not turning out the way we hoped. And then there’s loneliness. I think that loneliness is one of the quietest yet most powerful force behind depression in our modern world, especially for older people.

Whatever the cause, depression has a way of whispering lies: “You are not enough. Things will not get better. You are alone.” But those thoughts, while loud, are not the truth.

If you have ever felt that way, I want you to know—I get it. I revealed to one of my accountability partners once that I felt like I was mentally buried in a pit. He had me change my perspective and view it as not being buried but that I was planted in this situation and now I need to figure out how to grow. Take what you want from his response but, what I have learned is that coping with depression is not about a quick fix. For me, it has been about taking small steps that eventually add up to healing. Sometimes that meant forcing myself to take a walk when all I wanted to do was stay inside. Sometimes it meant picking up the phone and calling a friend, even though isolation felt easier. Other times, it meant seeking professional help—and learning that it is not a sign of weakness to do so, but rather a step toward strength.

I have also discovered the power of routines - sleep, nutrition, exercise, and structure matter more than I realized. And I have leaned on reflection—writing, prayer, bible reading and mindfulness—to help quiet the noise in my head. Above all, I have had to learn self-compassion. Depression makes you feel like you are failing, but I have come to see it differently. Those seasons did not mean I was weak—they reminded me that I was human.

So why share this with you? Because I know I am not the only one who has carried this weight. And maybe you have felt it too. If you are walking through a heavy season right now, I want you to remember—you are not broken, you are not weak, and you are not alone. Even the smallest steps, taken day by day, can lead you back toward light.

Mindfulness can also play a powerful role—slowing down, breathing deeply, journaling, or even just sitting quietly in gratitude for one small thing. Purpose matters too. When we give ourselves to something meaningful, whether it is a hobby, a cause, or simply being present for someone else, we begin to rediscover hope. Just think, you could be the light in someone else’s darkness!

Most of all, coping requires compassion—toward ourselves. Healing is not linear. There will be days that feel like steps backward. But every act of care, every moment of reaching out, is proof that we are still moving forward.

I said this earlier however it bears repeating. If you find yourself in a season of depression, know this: you are not broken, you are not weak, and you are not alone. The human heart has an extraordinary capacity to heal. Sometimes we just need time, support, and a little bit of light to find our way again. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I hope you can too!

Take care of yourself and each other!