I had a really intense mental breakdown yesterday. Anyone who’s ever experienced depression will be able to recognize the feeling of overwhelming defeat, when you just accept that this is just going to be your day. Luckily, I had my boyfriend who forced me to get out of bed and migrate to the living room. I didn’t really feel a great deal better for the rest of the day but I still did everything in my power not to slip back into the pit I was in when I woke up.

When I say that it really takes all the energy you can muster just to lay there and keep breathing, I mean it’s nearly impossible to redirect energy anywhere else without some kind of outside force. Anyone who hasn’t experienced depression might read this and think, “I’ve had days where I didn’t want to get out of bed too, doesn’t mean I’m depressed.” And you’re right, that doesn’t mean you’re depressed, because it’s not the same.

Throughout the day I managed to sit and binge watch Attack on Titan with my boyfriend, feed myself, and drink water. That may not seem like a big deal, but it was a colossal win for me. The fact that I got out of bed at all was a resounding victory and despite not having accomplished a whole hell of a lot yesterday, I consider it a win.

I wanted to write this article today for a couple reasons. First, I wanted to add to the efforts of raising awareness about mental illness. Second, I wanted to continue the unwavering honesty that I founded this blog on and explain why there wasn’t a post yesterday. And third, I wanted to reach as many people as I possibly can to tell them this. You are doing better than you think you are. Celebrate the little victories because sometimes that is what your day is going to look like and that’s okay.

I don’t know who needs to hear this but yesterday it was me who needed support and I am lucky enough that I have a steadfast support system who never fails to keep me on my feet. I know that not everyone who struggles with mental illness has that support system and I just wanted to reach out for anyone who needs it.

Drink some water. Try to eat something. Keep breathing. Do something productive, even if that thing is moving from one room to another or taking a shower. Ask for help. I’ve found that even though I have a really difficult time reaching out for help sometimes, my support system is always there. I know that sometimes your brain will try and tell you that you don’t deserve that support or that you’d be bothering the people you ask for support. But the people who are truly there for you will never see it that way, they would much rather you ask for help than suffer in silence, and it’s okay to not be able to do it on your own.

Just remember that taking it one day at a time, even one minute at a time is all you can do sometimes. That’s okay. It doesn’t make you any weaker, any lesser, any less worthy of support. Treat yourself nicely because being depressed is horrible and soul sucking and you won’t do yourself any favors by kicking yourself while you’re down.