Your Secret Strength Lies Within
I’m going to say some things here that you might not like—but you need to hear them.
There is no universal shortcut to strength. No one wakes up magically strong. It takes work. It takes willpower. And both can feel impossibly far away when you’re struggling with depression.
But here’s the truth:
“We may get knocked down on the outside, but the key to living in victory is to learn how to get up on the inside.” — Joel Osteen
Your depression doesn’t define you. That secret version of yourself you dream about—the strong, steady, purposeful one—is real and attainable.
Start with the Decisions You Make Today
Strength begins with a choice. One small decision at a time.
Choosing to See Things Differently
Depression can blur your vision of life. And while some might claim you can simply will it away, that’s not realistic for everyone. What is possible, though, is changing how you interpret your experience.
If people have called you “too sensitive,” maybe they just couldn’t see the empathy that makes you powerful. What if your perceived weakness is actually a strength waiting to be reframed?
Choosing to Accept Your Weaknesses
We all have them. Every single one of us. And it’s easy to believe your weaknesses overshadow your value. But when you acknowledge your limits, you gain the power to grow from them. You begin to reshape them into insight, compassion, and yes—secret strength.
RT @NonnyUzo: Depression is too powerful but can be cured with love and reassurance.
Choosing to Let Go of What You Can’t Control
Life doesn’t always give us control. Sometimes it hands us lessons in the form of struggle. If you can release what’s beyond your grasp—people, outcomes, the past—you create space to nurture what is within your reach.
Focus on what you can carry, not what was never yours to hold.
Choosing to Choose
It’s easy to float through life, letting fear, habit, or pain make decisions for you. But real strength comes from conscious choice.
Even if it feels like everything is out of control, you can still choose how you respond. You can choose how you show up. That takes courage. It takes daily effort. But the reward is a life that begins to reflect you—not your depression.
Don’t Miss Out on Life
You don’t have to wait for a rock-bottom moment to start changing. Growth can begin right now—before everything falls apart.
Life is messy, unpredictable, painful… and still, it’s one of the most beautiful gifts you’ve been given. Don’t deny yourself the chance to be part of it. Even the smallest step forward is more meaningful than standing still.
Try something.
Feel something.
Live something.
You may not love the effort it takes at first—but push through. You’ll find that every single day holds a secret just for you.
This is such a well written post. Myself, I haven’t had to deal with depression, but a lot of people that i love have. It’s such a strong and sad experience to witness.
What a positive post. Similar to other obstacles and troubles, you are so much stronger after you go through something difficult, especially depression. Great article.
You’re right, it isn’t possible to will away depression. But you can try to get through a today with a smile. But on rough days, it’s ok to accept that today sucks but tomorrow is a new day.
Depression is something that I have stuggled with from time to time!! Thank you for being brave enought to put it out there!!
Becky, You not alone!
I remember the time that i’m so depress i always in my room thinking and thinking i don’t wanna talk to anybody i don’t wanna it . the time i said to my self that accept my weackness . its really help for me to get over
Dealing with chemical or seasonal depression can be a tough road. Identifying that there are elements that triggers depressive states are one way support.
I just love how encouraging this post is. There really is happiness and joy to be had in life!
This is a great post! It’s so true that if you just push through and make an effort each day that there is something beautiful to discover.
This is a great article. When you learn to accept your weaknesses, that is the time that you can start working on changing them.
Very inspirational stuff. When you’re down you can only get back up again.
This point “Choosing to accept that you can’t change some things (or some people)” can be difficult to deal with sometimes. Of course it all depends on the situation, but sometimes you really want a person to stop doing something and they just won’t, and you simply need to find a way to deal with it, and make peace with it.
Choosing to choose is such a important & vital aspect in life.
What a lovely post. I struggled with depression years back. It is so difficult and was a struggle to get through each day.
I have been struggling with depression for 10 years. When I have those days when I sad and down, it does help to sometimes hope and pray for a better tomorrow.
1stopmom, It’s hard at times but you have come so far and having hope and your faith have help you over the years. Good for you
Thanks so much for sharing! Good advice
Great that you share you wisdom! I’m sure it will help someone challenged by depression.
There is power in choosing to choose. Many people don’t get that they have the power to choose how they feel.
Thank you for sharing such a difficult and emotional subject. I have dealt with depression and anxiety for most of my life, and know just how much effort it takes to make a change. Thank you for helping others.
Shann Eva Depression is difficult to talk about and even more painful for those who are going through this daily. But someone has to listen.
Depression is a tough one. Life is a choice (though like you said some thing are out of your control, some things aren’t) Keep going.
I think acceptance is the key to get up again. I had a friend who suffered from depression. It took her a while, but when she finally accepted that things won’t be the same again, that’s the time she got up and started thinking about the days ahead.
This is so sweet! I really like that last paragraph. “Don’t deny yourself the opportunity to be part of life.” That’s a great point.
This is such a wonderful post. It will help many people with it’s powerful message about living with depression.
I used to have bad episodes of depression back then but I am able to manage them better nowadays. ^_^