Setting goals to overcome depressive feelings?

[ChairmumMiaow]

I've posted loads and loads, being pretty down and miserable but today I am having a better day (managed to sleep, and am eating in small quantities) even though I'm glued to the sofa and entertaining DS with a Bob DVD.

Anyway, I've been reading stuff about coping with depression and one suggestion is to set small, manageable goals to try to stick to - goals that will make you feel better.

I was thinking it might be good if anyone in a similar position wanted to join me. A bit of a support group...

I've got lots of things I want to change in the long term, but for the moment I just want to focus on getting through the day, so here are my goals:

• Try to eat little and often (and foods that will make me feel better and not give me indigestion)
• Take DS out to the park for half an hour if we're going to be home for more than a few hours.
• Don't worry about how much TV DS is watching but make sure we both take a break from it every hour or so (we do go out every day, so he's not sat in front of it all the time anyway)

Anyone want to join me?

• Drink 2l of liquid every day
• Take vitamins

oops - put the "anyone want to join me" line in the wrong place but you get the idea.

so sorry you have been depressed.i've not been diagnosed or seen any pros about it,but i think i am too.yes very hard to overcome it when it hits you isn't it.anyway my goal is to get out in fresh air more and walk fast with the pram.did today to the park.sun actually came out for once and now feel definately better.heard that the natural light and exercise especially first thing in the morning lifts your mood well.
i have also left chocolate alone lately and have been trying to get earlier nights as a rule.
if i feel bad i carry a journal round with me and do a diary of all my bad feelings which at least clarifies them.sometimes read it back like a counsellor later when i feel better and try and think of solutions.you realise your own obstacles with a diary.
also if something bads happens,i try and totally switch off from it and concentrate on the present and what is going on around me e.g. the smile on kids faces,the sky and clouds the scenery and think that a lot of misery comes from my own thoughts and judgements about myself,but the actual reality of life is not that bad,in fact pretty good,i real;ise this as my kids are in the same enviroment/routine and seem very happy...it's how you look at things isn't it.i try to see something as a child would see it as in fresh/new(look for new things around me i hadn't noticed for example).
also having a routine definately helps and even writing that routine down and sticking to it...this helps when i feel so bad that i just don't have motivation to do anything at all.
i have found tv actually depresses me more(especially kids tv as they are so bouncy/happy),so i literally watch nothing except two programs all week now.My dd watches a lot though but my ds(1),none yet.I'm trying to think of all the alternatives i could do with him instead.I mostly like tickle and dancing/rhyme games which cheer me up.
tidying one tiny surface/area a day really makes me feel good too,especially decluterring,as does looking at photos/home camcorded dvds(as an alternative to tv programs).
also collected 'inspirational' music like Enya 'if you really want to you can find a way,if you really want to you can seize the day'...play it in the car.And others like 'things can only get better' and 'don't worry,be happy'.
lastly i thought,my dream was to have kids,happy family life e.t.c. and now ive got it i'm not happy so i say to myself....'smile,you're living the dream'(a phrase i heard somewhere).it reminds me to make the most of things.
hope i've helped you and anyone else suffering in some way.
good luck and wishes to you,and hope you feel a bit better soon.
if i think of more goals i will post again.
happyxx(strange nickname for me at the moment

I haven't been officially diagnosed either - I fought it when I was worst as a teenager. However I'm on anti-depressants now and I don't think the doctor would have done that while I am pregnant without being pretty convinced of my mental state. (I burst into tears straight away )

I'm just looking for a way to feel like I am working towards a better future for myself - trying to start some habits I won't break.