This was a very moving and thought-provoking post, and the illustrations truly capture the feeling of confinement in hopelessness. As someone who struggled with life-debilitating depression for 10 years, I wanted to add my perspective here, which is that recovery is possible. I, too, used to hold onto "tomorrow" or "someday" as a beacon of hope for renewal and wellness, always in the unreachable future.
I agree most especially with this point you made: "You must be willing to look at your origins to discover what might be holding you back." For me, I had to learn how to tread the line between ruminating unhealthily and actually gaining helpful insight from introspection that was rooted in reality and could be acted on.
Essentially, what helped me the most in overcoming my depression was learning how to accept reality for exactly what it is. A lot of that involved learning to love my so-called "shadow" described by Carl Jung, and by accepting my own shortcomings and the failures of other individuals and institutions. I was then able to recognize the limits of my own effectuality in the world and renounce the unnecessary guilt of impotence—or rather a lack of omnipotence—that had plagued me for years. I gave up the burden of trying to "help" others or change things beyond my control. By reaching this realization, I was able to take control of my own life (and mind) to the degree I understood myself to have power over it.
I never believed it would be possible to live completely free from depression for nearly two years and counting, especially after treading thin ice for a decade, but now I see that it is possible to make a full recovery, and ultimately happiness is my choice which stems from how I look at the world and my place here.
Depression is immeasurably tortuous and I wish you and anyone else who suffers from this affliction the best. Thank you so much for sharing this post.
Thank you, @runaway-psyche, for sharing your inspiring journey to peace. I like what you said about ruminating unhealthily. That's a hidden talent of mine! I get stuck, and it spirals from there. What can I act on? That's a better question, and hopefully I can ask that question on a day that I am not immobilized in melancholia. I am happy to hear you have been able to overcome your depression. I do agree that it is possible. Accepting reality, accepting that we can't change or fix others, or even that it's not always our fault when people are in foul moods (a hard one for me with two self-absorbed parents) is vital for a chance at metal peace.