For the past few years, I have battled an intense war against myself in the form of severe depression. Though I’ve made tremendous leaps in recovery from the traumas of my life and, in many ways, have made strides in defeating my depression, there is always more work to be done to secure a healthier future for myself. Change starts with you.

It is now August 1st, 2016. In a month and a half I will be turning a year older and I decided the best gift to give myself was the gift of happiness. As I prepare to go back to school to pursue a career in the mental health field, I decided it was only fair to practice the things I preach on a peer level. Why? Because as much as I encourage others struggling, I too deserve a good life, a happy life - one in which I find the strength daily to keep my depression at bay. Talking to a friend recently who is a practicing psychologist about DBT, a form of therapy, I came up with the idea to try something different.

The Happiness Project is a month long process in which every day I tell myself a different mantra that will aid in strengthening my self esteem. In addition, I will write a journal entry of sorts about what I’m thinking, feeling, or going through. Being a creative, I will listen to and share one song daily that aided whatever emotion I was feeling at the time, or take one photograph a day so that at the end of the month I can look back and see how far I’ve come. The ultimate goal is that by the end of the month I will have taught myself better coping skills, I will have let go of pains and fears of my past, and will be a stronger person both mentally and physically for the work I’ve done.

It’s important to note I will not be doing this alone. I’ve asked a few friends who have their own healing and recovery to focus on to do this with me. During our darkest moments we often find ourselves isolating and pushing away the very people we should rely on. I hope this teaches them, while reminding me, that none of us are alone. We can and will get through this life, these struggles, together, if we allow ourselves to ask for help and to be there for one another.