Psyche logo

The Day I Nearly Let Go — But Found a Reason to Stay

An honest journey through silent suffering, a moment of grace, and the strength to keep moving forward.

By Mushtaq AhmadPublished 7 months ago 3 min read


I didn’t expect to wake up that morning — and honestly, I hadn’t planned on it. But I did. And that simple act changed the course of everything.

For what felt like forever, I had been slowly disappearing. Not in any loud or obvious way — but quietly, almost gently. Life started to lose its shine. The things I once found joy in no longer mattered. I stopped laughing. I stopped dreaming. I just... existed.

I blamed it on burnout, on loneliness, or just poor sleep. But deep inside, I knew the truth. I was depressed. And not the kind that comes and goes — this was a deep, heavy fog that made everything feel pointless and empty.

Each morning, I woke up with a sigh instead of purpose. My room stayed dark even when the sun was out. I ignored messages, canceled plans, and when people asked, I said I was "just tired." And maybe I was. But not the kind of tired that rest could fix.


---

Hitting the Wall

One night, I found myself sitting at the edge of my bed, staring blankly into the dark. My chest felt like a hollow shell. My head was filled with cruel, loud thoughts:

“You don’t matter.”

“No one would care if you were gone.”

“You’ll never escape this feeling.”


I believed them. Depression has a way of disguising itself as truth.

That night, I seriously thought about ending it all. It’s painful to admit, but it was the lowest I had ever been.

Then something unexpected happened. My phone buzzed.

It was a message from my little sister:

> “Hey. You've been kind of quiet. Just wanted to say I love you. Let’s finish that show soon, okay?”



So simple. So casual. But it brought me back.

In that moment, I realized — someone cared. And if even one person cared, maybe, just maybe, I could hold on for a little longer.


---

Reaching Out

The next morning, with trembling hands and a hesitant voice, I called a mental health support line. That phone call saved me.

The person on the other end listened with patience and warmth. They gave me a referral to a therapist in my area. I made the appointment.

That first session was tough. I cried more than I spoke. But it was the first time someone looked at me and said, “You are not alone in this. You are not broken. You don’t have to carry this by yourself.”

That marked the start of my healing journey. It didn’t happen overnight, but step by step, I began to come back to myself. Through therapy, I started to understand the roots of my depression — the suppressed emotions, the unresolved trauma, and the pressure I had silently endured.


---

The Road to Recovery

Healing isn’t neat. It’s chaotic, uneven, and filled with moments where you want to give up. But there were things that helped me move forward, piece by piece:

1. Letting Myself Feel – I stopped pretending everything was okay. I began journaling my true emotions, even when they were messy or painful.


2. Finding My People – I joined a support group. Hearing others talk about their struggles made me feel less alone. It reminded me that healing is human.


3. Trying Medication – With professional guidance, I started antidepressants. I was scared, but they didn’t dull me — they gave me space to breathe again.


4. Creating Again – I returned to drawing, something I hadn’t done in years. Even scribbles on a page helped me express the storm inside me.


5. Celebrating Small Wins – Some days, just getting out of bed was an achievement. I learned to count those small steps as victories.




---

To Anyone Feeling Lost

If you’re stuck in that heavy place, I won’t insult you with empty motivation. I know how deep the pain can go.

But I can tell you this:

You’re not invisible. Even if it feels like no one sees you, someone does. I do.

You are valuable. Your existence matters more than you realize.

Asking for help is strength, not weakness.

You can feel joy again — maybe not today, but someday. And that someday is worth waiting for.



---

A Changed View

It’s been a year since that night I almost gave up. I still have difficult days, but they no longer define me. I’ve found laughter again. I’ve learned how to enjoy silence. I choose life more intentionally now.

And most importantly, I’ve learned to talk about my mental health openly. Because silence almost cost me everything. If sharing my story helps someone else hold on — it’s worth it.


---

One Last Thing

The night I almost disappeared is also the night I began returning to myself. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting the pain — it means learning to live beside it without letting it lead.

So, if you’re reading this, struggling to breathe or trying to smile through the weight — please, don’t give up.

Breathe. Speak. Cry. Reach out. Just keep going.

Because even in your darkest hour, you are worthy of love, light, and a future.

Hold on. The world still needs your story.

depression

About the Creator

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2026 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.