I'm Battling Depression with Creativity I By Edina Jackson

Writing helps me through my worst days. On days when I feel stressed and low, I pushed through by writing poems, short stories and articles. When I can't muster the strength to sit at my desk and write, I lie in bed and type on my phone, I fight depression with creativity.

Here's how I'm battling depression with writing and content creation:

Challenges

I challenge myself whenever I can to push through the days. For example, I'm doing a 100 article challenge on Vocal right now, it's not easy, but it gives me purpose and focus.

Depression can make everything feel chaotic or overwhelming, but writing challenges often come with clear guidelines, prompts, or deadlines. This sense of structure can help create a small sense of control, which is often lost in depression. Completing a writing task gives me a feeling of accomplishment and may help break the cycle of aimlessness.

Collaboration

Whenever I do a writing challenge, I share my experience on platforms such as Vocal and YouTube. I often connect with other creators and collaborate on projects and future challenges.

Collaboration has been incredibly helpful for me in my battle with depression, especially as a creator. When I’m working on my own, depression often makes me feel isolated and disconnected from the world. The weight of my thoughts can sometimes make it feel like I’m stuck in my own head, unable to break free. But when I collaborate with others, everything changes.

First and foremost, collaboration reminds me that I’m not alone. Depression can make you feel like you’re the only one struggling, but when I work with others, I’m reminded that there are people out there who understand, who share the same passion and struggles. It’s a chance to see that I’m part of something bigger, that my voice and ideas matter in a collective space.

Collaborating with others also brings a sense of shared purpose. When I’m working alone, it’s easy to lose motivation, especially when depression makes even the smallest tasks feel impossible. But in a collaborative setting, there’s this mutual energy that propels me forward. Knowing that someone else is relying on my input or that we’re working toward a common goal gives me something to focus on beyond my own mind. It feels like there’s a reason to keep going, even on days when I feel completely drained.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that collaboration helps me stay accountable. When I’m by myself, it’s easy to procrastinate or let my depression get in the way of my creative process. But when I’m working with others, I don’t want to let them down. There’s a sense of responsibility to show up and contribute. Even if I’m not feeling my best, just knowing that someone else is counting on me can be a powerful motivator. It pushes me to keep going, even when I’d rather retreat into my own head.

Collaboration also gives me a chance to see things from a different perspective. Depression can sometimes narrow my thinking, making me stuck in negative thought loops or doubts about my own abilities. But when I work with others, their ideas, feedback, and encouragement can help break through that mental fog. It opens up new possibilities and reminds me that my creativity isn’t just about what I can do alone—it’s about how I can contribute to something greater than myself.

And then, there’s the emotional support. Depression can make me feel emotionally drained, but collaborating with others often brings a sense of connection and camaraderie. It’s not just about the work—it’s about the people you’re working with. The shared experience of creating together can lift my spirits, even when I feel like I’m sinking. There’s something powerful about the human connection that comes from working side by side with someone who understands, even if it’s just in a creative sense.

Ultimately, collaboration has shown me that I don’t have to be “perfect” to create or contribute. I don’t have to have all the answers or be in a good mood all the time. I just have to show up, share my ideas, and be part of something bigger. And when I do, I find that the work becomes more meaningful, and my own struggles feel a little less isolating. It reminds me that even when I’m struggling, I still have something valuable to offer. And that’s a powerful feeling when depression makes you doubt your worth.

I give myself grace

I love challenges however, when I fall short, I give myself grace. When I'm too weak to get out of bed, I type from my phone, or dictate my words using my notes app on my phone, this allows me to stay productive without putting too much pressure on myself.

I write about my battle with depression

Writing about my battle with depression has been one of the most powerful tools in my fight against it. At first, it felt like I was just putting words on a page, trying to make sense of everything that was going on in my mind. But over time, I’ve realized how much it’s actually helping me process, understand, and cope with what I’m going through.

When I write about my depression, it gives me a way to untangle the mess of thoughts and feelings inside my head. Depression can be so overwhelming, and sometimes it feels like I can’t even pinpoint what’s wrong, let alone explain it to someone else. But when I write, I can slow things down. I can break down my emotions into words and sentences that make sense to me. It’s almost like having a conversation with myself, where I’m allowed to be honest about what I’m feeling without judgment.

Writing also helps me externalize my depression. Instead of it feeling like something that’s completely part of me, something I have to carry around and live with all the time, it becomes something I can look at from a distance. By writing about it, I can see my thoughts and feelings on the page. I can recognize the patterns—what triggers me, when things get worse, and what sometimes makes me feel better. It gives me clarity and perspective, something that depression often robs me of.

One of the most important things writing has done is allow me to confront my feelings instead of avoiding them. With depression, there’s often a strong urge to hide away, to keep everything bottled up because it feels too heavy or too embarrassing to share. But writing gives me the permission to express all of it—without any need to filter or make it look “better.” I can be raw, unfiltered, and honest. Sometimes, just putting those feelings down on paper makes them feel less daunting, like I’ve taken some of the weight off my chest.

It’s also helped me realize that I’m not alone in this. When I write about my struggles with depression, I often reflect on the moments when I’ve felt isolated or misunderstood. But as I continue to write, I start to see that these feelings, though deeply personal, are also shared by many others. Writing about my journey has made me realize how much others may be struggling with similar things, and that sense of solidarity, even in the quiet act of writing, makes me feel less isolated.

There’s also something empowering about writing about my depression. Every time I put pen to paper, it’s a small act of resistance. It’s me fighting back against something that tries to convince me I’m not worth it, that I’m not strong enough, that I should give up. But writing is my way of saying, “I’m still here. I’m still trying. I’m still fighting.” It reminds me that even on my worst days, I have the power to express myself, to document my journey, and to keep moving forward—even if it’s just one word at a time.

Finally, writing has given me the space to reflect on my growth, even when it feels like progress is slow or non-existent. When I look back at what I’ve written, I can see the ways I’ve changed, how I’ve learned to cope with my depression, and how I’ve found strength in places I didn’t expect. Writing about my battle helps me track the highs and lows, giving me a sense of accomplishment when I see how far I’ve come, even when I didn’t realize it at the time.

So, writing about my depression isn’t just about venting or getting things off my chest. It’s an essential part of my healing process. It’s a tool that helps me understand myself better, stay grounded, and find moments of strength in the midst of the struggle. It doesn’t make the depression go away, but it gives me a way to fight it, to regain some control, and to remind myself that I’m not defined by it. I am so much more than the weight of this battle.

➡️ If you enjoy reading my work, and would like to support my creative journey, please do so here.