Hi, it isn't easy to meditate successfully when the depression is real bad. I almost go into a holding pattern waiting for it to pass. But, for me obsessive thoughts cause my depression, especially when I'm tired, or groggy. So I stop the thoughts. As soon as I resize I'm obsessing, anything I can do to distract my mind, I do. Like just half an hour ago I got out of bed cause my thoughts weren't good. Now I'm having morning coffee on the deck and it's ok. It's taken months to train my mind to do this, and I feel I'm only half way there, but it's working. A lot. I read something once about neural pathways on our thoughts and interrupting them works. Re-wires the brain. I have to say it's been helping me.

The part of meditation that works best in my case is awareness of the present. Focusing of that. It's a basis of mindfulness, but not the "freeform" kind, sitting with eyes closed, focusing on breathing, acknowledging thoughts, etc, etc. that's not a good thing for me when depressed. So I do breath deep and exhale stress though. And I focus on the present, where I am, what things taste like, feel like, etc. it's been a huge help for me to get my mind into reality and out of my depressed thoughts. It slows down my racing brain.

Also distractions, watching comedies, walking, taking a ride on my motorcycle, and funny enough, cleaning. Organizing my stuff.

I'm still impressed you could be grateful for things that day, I'm going to try that myself. Sounds healthy and another way to get things in proper mental perspective.

Wanting to change you life but feels overwhelming, how? Many times depression has underlying emotional issues. Taking care of those issues fixes your depression. For me it was bad relationships with a couple people, at the same time. One relative, and one intimate friend. Now I'm obsessing, but moving on. Slowly, but these techniques are helping me.

Hope some of this helps, it's up to all of us to figure out what works.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk