Combatting Teenage Depression: 10 Laws to Believe and Forget the Negative
Fighting teenage depression isn’t easy. It takes daily courage and the strength to believe in yourself, even when it feels like no one else does. But you can overcome the darkness. As author Richelle E. Goodrich once said:
“You may be the only person left who believes in you, but it’s enough. It takes just one star to pierce a universe of darkness. Never give up.”
Here are 10 empowering habits—“laws,” if you will—that can help you fight off negative thinking and rediscover your inner strength.
1. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Yeah, those little things—forgot homework, awkward moments, disagreements—can pile up fast. But don’t let them define your day or your self-worth. In the big picture, they’re just dust. Let them go.
2. Tell Yourself You’re Beautiful Every Morning
Look yourself in the mirror and say it: “I’m beautiful. I’m enough.” At first, it may feel awkward—but if you say it with intention, day after day, you’ll start to believe it. It’s called rewiring your brain—and it works.
3. Write Down One Good Thing About Yourself Daily
Whether it’s “I made someone laugh” or “I finished that tough assignment,” write it down. These reminders become your proof that you are doing better than you think.
4. Silence the Negative Voice
That voice in your head that says you’re not good enough? It lies. When it speaks up, shout back (in your mind or on paper): “You don’t control me.” Then, do something that makes you feel powerful—walk, dance, sing, draw.
5. Compliment Someone Else
Positivity is contagious. Lift someone up and notice how it lifts you, too. It’s a subtle way of healing both you and others.
6. Do Something You Love
Read a novel. Sketch in your notebook. Go for a long walk. Write a poem. When you do what sparks joy, you generate endorphins—the natural chemicals that boost your mood and outlook.
7. Try Something New
Dare to audition, join a club, or speak up in class. You may not ace it the first time, but trying builds courage—and courage builds confidence. Who knows what hidden talent you’ll discover?
8. Leave Yourself Encouraging Notes
It sounds cheesy, but it works. Leave Post-Its that say “You got this,” “Breathe,” or “You’re doing better than you think” on your mirror, notebook, or laptop. These daily reminders can change your mindset.
9. Talk to a Friend
You don’t have to carry it alone. Open up to someone you trust. Sharing the weight—even a little—can bring massive relief. And you might be surprised by how much they relate.
10. Smile and Show Up Anyway
Even when you don’t feel like it—especially then—get up, dress in what makes you feel strong, and smile. Not for others, but for yourself. Some days you’ll fake it, but eventually, that smile will become real again.
Final Thought: You’re Not Alone
Everyone has dark moments. The trick isn’t pretending they don’t exist—it’s refusing to let them take over. Believe in the power of one small change, one small step, one positive thought. And never forget:
You are stronger than your struggle. And the world needs your light—exactly as it is, and exactly as you are.
I love all of these tips! Sometimes you just need it out, sometimes you just need a friend to tell you to quit being stupid, sometimes you just need some positivity in your life.
These are all so helpful. It’s hard to be in your teen years and have to go through depression. It’s like there’s no going out of it. Thanks for the tips.
Wonderful tips! It can be so easy to get caught up in all of the negative, but we need to stop and focus on the good. There is a lot of good in this world, and if you can’t find any, you need to make your own positive energy.
If only teens could believe that bad times are only temporary.
All so true! Keep it light and real! 🙂
Your tips made me want to share that we have a chalkboard in our kitchen that my husband and I like to put random quotes on and he recently put “Today is a good day to TRY” on the chalkboard and I just love that. If you believe that you can do something, then TODAY is the day to TRY – not tomorrow.
Christine, the chalk board is a great idea to keep the family motivated.
This is absolutely a great tips! Yes its true talk to a friend sometimes. and it can help a lot
Smile and dont sweat the small stuff. Great advice to me.
Smile always! That’s the best way to boost your self confidence 🙂
Great tips not just for teenagers but for just about everyone of us. Depression seems to be hidden around every corner and we have to do what we can to combat this
Mardene Carr, So correct Depression affects everyone at some point. It struggle that’s required team effort teacher, Parents and Counselors!
What helpful tips. Thank you for sharing. I like the leave encouraging notes around the house.
Another great post from you as always. I like the idea of not sweating the small stuff
These are very helpful tips. The teen years are the toughest years. I agree with Cindy, teens need to believe bad times will pass.
Love all those tips and information. I will save it for my daughter.
I like your tips! It is essential to find strengths and go ahead and be positive every day 🙂
Don’t sweat the small stuff is great advice. I need to keep that in mind sometimes.
I love your tips. It’s so important for me as a parent to pay attention to details and actions of my teens. What a great post!
I love these tips. They’re so helpful.
I love all of your tips! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for these great tips I try to do most of them daily!
doing something active that you love to do is a grew suggestion
The first one is the one I always struggle with the most. It’s hard for me not to sweat the small stuff.
These are some good tips, for everyone not just teenagers. Being a teenager with all those hormones and even options is hard enough without suffering from depression! I wouldn’t want to be that age again
A really great read for me. Thanks for sharing this really good article.
These are good tips. Drowning out negative thoughts is not always easy but it’s definitely necessary.
Universal tips for anyone! Thanks for sharing.
Drown out those negative thoughts. I love this. We need to teach our teens to shun the negative thoughts and focus more on being positive.
My teen guide, so true we need to continue to encourage the teens in a positive way.
These are great tips. I’m really big on encouraging others. It makes me happy to see other people happy.
I really love the tip telling yourself you’re beautiful. You truly start to believe. The awesome thing is, you’re the only one that needs to believe it.
I wish someone had talked to me about my depression back then. These are great and can be very helpful.
April G, you can share your experience with your child. How you overcome your depression inspiration to others especially teens.
You had me at number one!! Loved the whole list thanks for it
This is not only good for Teenage Depression but to almost every body in our everyday things! Thanks for sharing it
All these are great tips and very helpful to every one. I always love to try new things and it helps boosting up myself any time I needed. Thanks for motivating.
We need to remind our teenagers that storms will just pass and they will not stay for good. Thanks for this list!
Nikki, This is a great idea to inform and motivated our teens.
Smiling and complimenting is the best way for me personally to feel better!