Welcome to Valley of Life Forum

I'm trying to move through this world without taking medicine for my depression. I'm trying to make myself understand that, we are emotional creatures and that we are goign to be just as down as we are going to be happy. My down days are huge and they are horrible but I get out of them and when my days are good they are wonderful.

That means you are trying to address your situation on your own. Which is always a good thing. Its hard as heck. I have found that the easy way out was to take medication as well. I think medicine is like taking drugs, they just mask the problem.

If you have to use drugs as a means to escape depression, use herbal products. They tend to be much safer for the body. Drug do mask problems, it does not cure them. I am proud that you(crystal) have chosen to be drug free.

I think being drug free is good. Another way to cope without taking drugs; try talking to someone or putting it on paper. thats what worked for me because when we really need someone they may be busy , So we put it in writing and destroying it afterwords may help.

I like your ideas willyable. Writing stuff down on paper works for me when I feel depressed. I would read them out loud like i was talking to someone. It makes me feel good just to release my feelings in this way.