It lied to you. You’re not broken. You’re powerful.
“Liar…”
That’s what depression is.
From day one, it felt like despair had a plan—to isolate me, make me feel less than everyone else. Numb.
Like I was chosen to suffer.
I felt like a ghost walking through life, convinced that my presence was a burden.
Eventually, even my family’s affection felt conditional, like I wasn’t worth the effort.
I became the faceless teen in the corner, a shadow no one saw.
The Lies Depression Tells
Depression is a master manipulator.
It tells you you’re worthless.
It compares your every move to those around you—your best friends, your siblings—just to make sure you feel like a failure. It’s not just sadness. It’s an abusive voice pretending to love you.
And when you’ve lived with it long enough, that voice becomes familiar.
So familiar that you stop trying to leave it.
You start thinking maybe this is all you deserve.
The Sad Irony
As a teen, I used to ask “Why me?”
Why doesn’t anyone understand?
Why am I the only one hurting?
But when depression leaves—even for a short time—you begin to notice how heavy it was.
You realize the ache only stings most after moments of peace.
It taught me to fear happiness, because I thought it would never last.
And that’s when I started believing I deserved the sadness.
One Moment I’ll Never Forget
I remember the day I tried riding my uncle’s motorbike.
He told me not to.
But I did.
My foot got stuck in the spokes. My toenail split, blood everywhere.
It wasn’t just the pain—it was the shame.
The injury wasn’t just physical. It became proof of everything I believed:
That I was reckless, unworthy, always messing things up.
He didn’t even get mad—but I didn’t need him to.
I was already punishing myself.
Still Fighting – But Differently Now
I’m older now.
And no—I haven’t “cured” my depression.
But something has changed.
I no longer believe that depression gets the final word.
I’ve learned that I can make choices.
I’ve learned that I can push back.
That voice that says I’m not strong enough? That I’ll always be a victim?
It’s a liar.
Liar – Choose Happy
Let’s get one thing straight:
I’m not saying, “Just be happy and get over it.”
I’m saying—you can fight back.
You can take even one small step toward something better.
You can see depression for what it is: a parasite feeding off your brilliance.
Because here’s a secret depression doesn’t want you to know:
When you feel good, it disappears.
It shrinks in the face of joy.
And that means it’s not stronger than you.
Let’s Talk
You are not alone in this.
Your story matters.
Your feelings are real.
And no matter what depression has told you—you are not too broken to be happy again.
So let’s talk.
Let’s challenge the lies.
Let’s Choose Happy—not because it’s easy, but because we deserve it.
💬 What lie has depression told you lately? Comment below. Let’s expose it together.
I wish it was as easy as choose to be happy. When depression hits being happy is very hard.
Tara Pittman, Not saying it’s going to be easy. It’s a struggle that is face by many everyday and being happy becomes effortless. With positive support and possible medication it can be possible.
I think it is important to help children through anything that could get them down to this road. You need to remind him that they are not alone there’s 1 million other people that have similar problems and can help and always seek that help as needed.
It is so true, you are the strong one and depression is weak!
This reminds me of a book title I recently saw called Pretty Happy by Kate Hudson and she said that when people ask her how she is she usually responds by saying pretty happy because it makes her feel better about her life and that despite the good and/or bad, she is still pretty happy. With regards to depression, people may have good and bad days but I think we all need to stay positive and just think, we are all PRETTY HAPPY in the end.
Christine – The Choosy Mommy, I had to psych myself saying daily “just be happy” it work for me. Not saying it will work for everyone. Force to Remain positive is still helpful. Thanks for your comment.
Its hard to say ‘be happy’ if you have no idea what being happy feels like.
Not everyone who is depressed is sad all the time. Major depressive episode is painful and is hard for those who are suffering to be happy. Depression is different for everyone.
Depression is definitely a dangerous thing. You’re right! Communication is key! Especially for our young people!
Depression can definitely be something that can be hurtful on so many levels.
Fighting depression is a constant challenge. BUT fight it you must.
I suffer from Depression, and one of the word things people can say to me is, “just be happy!” If I had that choice, I obviously wouldn’t pick to be unhappy!
I understand “just be happy” A word I often tell myself to get over or feel better when I am feeling depressed.
There are probably so many teens struggling with these exact things. I totally get what you’re saying. People can choose how to view their depression.
Liz Mays, everyone will have their own personal story how they deal with depression. Thanks for your comment.
For someone who hasn’t experienced what it feels like to not be happy, it’s really hard to understand.
Robin Rue I hear this a lot.
Interesting read. I have no real experience with teenagers experiencing the level of depression you described here. I had my own bout with depression and so know that no blanket approach is going to help everyone out of the experience.
It is not easy to say “be happy” if its not. Sometimes they need a friend to talk too and a shoulder to cry on. Depression is one of the hardest feeling.
Carmela mempin, yes, so true and it’s not easy to say “be happy” because when you are depressed no one can convince you your life will get better. I understand your concern.
It is great to have so many supportive people around. You are brave for bringing this up.
I never dealt with depression but it’s something that people around me have and the best you can do is just to keep supporting them until they get over the sadness. There are times when you feel so hopeless and helpless too, because it doesn’t seem to go away no matter how much help you give, but you just have to keep giving no matter what.
Such an informative entry about depression, this is where we really need our family and friends to help us out and to overcome depression. Thanks for sharing.
Being happy is so important in life and knowing the signs of depression to help combat it is so important!
Being happy while struggling in a depression was really hard, so glad that you’re strong.
Depression in teens can be hard to miss sometimes.It’s important to have the discussion. It is easy for someone to say just be happy but it’s not easy to do when you’re depressed.
I agree depression is not myself and I myself have suffered with it and often have periods where I feel very low.
Depression was really a serious thing. I need to be ready for this kind of situatuion for my two boys
i hope it is easy sometimes i just woke up and feel depress as well. can’t really see what in for us in the future . always different everyday
Depression is definitely something that more people should be aware of. Thank you so much for sharing your story.
Depression was a scary thing for my kids. I need to be strong for them,
I agree that our happiness depends on being positive, but when we’re depressed it is so hard to do. May the force be with you!
I’m sorry that you have gone through this or are still going through it. I’m glad you are talking about it though. That’s a great way to try to get some change started.
depression is a really hard thing to overcome, never the less we have to because is not a good way to live that’s when a supportive family and friends become so important for a child or even a grown up
Depression is a decease that kills your happiness. I wish it is so easy to be happy and not to worry about what is going on to our lives.
As I always say we have to make sure that we are able to differentiate between moodiness and depression. Sometimes this can cause misdiagnosis
There is a lot more awareness today. That makes for better resources. I am happy for that….
I hope my children never have to deal with depression. I have been dealing with severe depression for over 10 years. I still have dark days and find it very hard to be happy. Personally for me it is not as easy as choosing to be happy. Fortunately I have a great psychiatrist and therapist I can reach out to when the darkness is too much. I take it day by day. Sometimes hour by hour.
1stopmom, Thank you for your honesty and sharing your personal struggle with depression with me. Taking it day by day sometimes thats all one can do. Depression is not easy…Having a therapist to talk to make a difference.
It is so difficult to feel more positive and happy when depression hits. The sad thing is, when we allow it to rule, we can be a slave for a very long time.
You don’t choose to be depressed, but it’s true – you can choose to get through and choose to be happy. Often if you try hard enough, you can believe you are.
I can’t speak on this matter because I never really felt depressed. Yes I had some moments where things got hard and I felt alone but I’ve always been able to shake it off.
This is something I’ve never really experienced. I had a mother who probably should have been diagnosed as bipolar. She had depressive moments and still does, and it’s hard to understand her despair.
A struggle for your Mom I suppose..Not easy her battle with depression.
I think that sometimes depression is a chemical thing in your brain. Its not always about just choosing to be happy
There is still so much stigma attached to depression. There needs to be more education and support available for those going through this illness.
Bismuth, My hope is that we will continue to discussed depression and the stigmas surround it as well. Our leaders need to take a stand more awareness is needed.
Keeping lines of communication open are so important. Making kids comfortable to know that you are safe to talk to is key!
Sandra Laflamme, You are correct. Getting kids to talk can be hard if there is no trust…Keep the lines of communication open!
I have a friend with depression and it was a very difficult time for us. I said “us” (obviously for him) because we wanted to help but didnt know how. We just talk to him and then.. we just made some “special events” that we knew he would like to join so he had some happy memories to be happy about. Family and friends support is the key
Ana, You did the right thing. Depression is hard to understand if you are not going through the depressive state. Family and friends support is a helpful gesture.
Thank you for bringing this important discussion to the Blogger’s Pit Stop. It helps to talk about it and to know one in not alone with their feelings.
Kathleen
Teenage depression sufferers should never be left alone. They must be helped to choose wisely even in their state of depression. They should be helped by discouraging them from feeding the darkness within and perpetuating the sad and gloom that eventually affects all around or associated with them!