Sometimes We Can Find Meaning, Even When We Can’t Find Happiness

“What’s the point of life
if you aren’t going to be happy doing it?”
is a lovely,
and often useful,
sentiment.

But for those of us with depression,
happiness isn’t always within reach.

My depression is so long-lasting
(I fear it may be lifelong),
that it has prompted me to ask myself,
“Is an unhappy life still worth living?”
“Is there a purpose to life beyond happiness?”

This morning,
a more effective question
for pushing myself to live intentionally
popped into my head:
“What’s the point of unhappiness
if you aren’t going to live
while doing it?”

(P.S. For my readers with depression: I know that sometimes, in deep bouts, “living” is completely out of the question. Sometimes, all you can aim for is surviving. That is okay too. <3)