Trying something new everyday for a year to improve depression?

[nomud]

I read this story today, and as someone who struggles with depression (and anxiety) I was initially freaked out and thought, no way is that possible (for me). But I realised it doesn’t need to be big things, it can be something very small as well. I’ve decided to start today and keep a journal. I actually feel kind of excited about it. My mental health has been at an all time low so I’m willing to try anything at this point!

No idea why I’m posting this other than maybe someone else might want to give it a go, as well.

My new thing today is to try cooking with a seasoning I’ve never used before (yes I’m starting small!).

www.goodnewsnetwork.org/depressed-woman-tried-something-new-every-day-for-a-year/

I was on antidepressants as well, unfortunately I had to go off of them due to side effects + I don’t think they were helping me personally 🫤 If you do decide to try this, I hope it helps! Spanish sounds great, beautiful language.

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The day before I couldn’t get up the will to start reading the new book, but instead I made a new meal (a stew with cornbread dumplings). And for yesterday, I tried a new show in a genre I don’t go for, unfortunately I didn’t like it, but nothing ventured nothing gained 😆 And today I walked into town and had tea and cake in a lovely little cafe I’ve walked by loads of times but never went in!

Thank you for this thread. I am about to go out and do some gardening. Something I normally avoid. I am in a really deep hole and my biggest terror is passing my depression on to DD, so trying to model good ways of coping.

I love these. Are you keeping a record of each thing you do and what you thought/felt about it?

If you're not up to reading a whole book, you could try a poem. You can look online for poems on themes that interest you or poems to create a specific mood.

DS2 inherited mine (and I inherited mine from my dad. I do think it runs in families. But modelling good ways to handle it is a brilliant thing to do. Modelling self-compassion, self-care through healthy eating, exercise etc, respite (eg avoiding the news for a while and watching comedies instead), seeking help sooner rather than later, I think that's good parenting. Not much we can do about the genes, but we can teach them to be kind to themselves until it passes.

Thank you. I'm not sure it's genes myself, I think it's learned behaviour, but either way it's a motivation to work on myself. Unfortunately gardening is making my back flat up! Back to the drawing board!

I was actually thinking of learning Welsh as well .. I'm from England but North Wales especially is a place I love and actually eases my s**t whenever I visit !! .. although I know it's like the hardest language to learn .. I actually bought a Welsh dictionary when I was younger because I was so fascinated by the language !!

I'm glad you're actually at least trying something new everyday even if you realise it's not for you .. at least you're doing it 😊 very inspiring .. xx

Sorry about your back pain! Still counts though as you gave it a go 💐 Maybe a nice bath if you like that sort of thing, to ease your back?

Thank you! Yes I’m using a journal that I was given some years back but never used, however it’s just a blank journal. Today I bought one for 2025, it’s really beautiful with illustrations. Looking forward to using it 🙂

It’s definitely true that we may experience more new things in a day than we realise. Now that I’m paying attention, I realised I had at least 7 new experiences today. Sitting in the cafe they were playing music, and I found a new musician I liked so I added the song to my library, and also heard a new Taylor Swift song (my era of Taylor Swift knowledge is Shake It Off 😂). I also went into three new shops, and I’m counting the year journal as well as I’ve never bought one before.

Now I’m thoroughly done in for the day so tomorrow will be just a very chill day at home 😴

Since you feel such a strong connection to Welsh, maybe it would be fun to give it a go? I’ve never been to Wales unfortunately, I would like to visit one day. I live in the North of England so North Wales wouldn’t be that far potentially. Do you have anywhere in particular you’d recommend? Could be something new for me to do in 2025 😆

Betwys-y-coed is a beautiful place in north wales with a lovely nature reserve..would highly recommend 😊

Still going btw! On day 17 now. Yesterday I was feeling under the weather and unsure what to do, so I ended up trying a fragrance sample I was sent but didn’t bother trying before as I didn’t think it would be my cup of tea. Well I tried it 😆 My husband said it smelled like white tictacs.

LOL at tic-tac perfume. Good on you for keeping going. Sorry you are under the weather - hope it clears up soon.

How is it going OP? It took me a while before it actually lifted the depression. Are you getting something from it yet?

Ty ☺️ I am actually, very slowly. I’m more open to new experiences, such as trying a self-defence course (although anxiety is still stopping me, just being somewhat open to the idea is progress). I feel overall in a bit more lighter of a mood, and a bit less black & white thinking about things.

I read this article too. I’ve been trying to do new things but only once a week. I’m on ADs for depression and anxiety and when I need to rest, I need to rest. Great concept though.