Hi,

Since I've been depressed, when I stop and think about the meaning of life, I arrive at a dead end too. It's pretty upsetting. But when im actively doing things I don't feel so bad.

Tonight, I did some yoga, listened to music and made a "Daily Motivation" wall on my chalkboard I found at a thrift store. It says: "You're doing wonderful. Great things take time." I listed happy things to do: volunteer at an animal shelter, get a cat, paint, exercise, take a walk, bake goodies. I added a reminder that one day I will be a nurse practitioner.

My advice would be to try writing down things that could make you happy. Brainstorm. Do you like making things? Playing with animals? Cooking? Exercising? Taking walks? Music? Have you ever splatter painted? It's so fun! I recommend it for any mood!

Take your time exploring these things. It's okay to start with little steps. At one point, it was a big accomplishment for me to get up and paint my nails. Take life at your own pace. You're doing wonderfully.

I think this is what life is. Exploring what makes you happy. What makes your soul sing and your heart beat a little faster? There may be some rough patches along the way, but I find it comforting that I can always come back to these things (animals, cooking, painting, church) If you don't know at the moment, that's perfectly fine. Start with a list of small, everyday things and let your mind wander.

DEAR SOUL, I am very sorry about how you feel! We have suffering in this life. Even those of us who are Christians some days experience feelings and thoughts like the ones you express. Reading the Bible can be of tremendous help. All of us need a close relationship with God. And, like someone else already pointed out, volunteering is always a good idea. It’s one of the best things we can do with our lives. There are people who need a lot of help. Even when we ourselves are suffering intensely, extending even a smile to others does a lot of good to some who are suffering a lot too. It could be that by participating in different volunteer places, you will discover some answers to your own questions. It could be that your presence alone when you are helping others can give hope to some other person who looks into your eyes. Also, you can always talk to God. You don’t even have to get out of your house to do that. God wants that we talk to Him. I hope He blesses you!