There are days when depression creeps up on me like an unwelcome guest.
On these days, the easiest tasks feel like a huge challenge.
Getting out of bed seems impossible, and I just want to curl up in a ball and disappear.
Do you feel the same? Then this article is for you.
Fortunately, I’ve found solace in the teachings of Daoism, an ancient Chinese philosophy. Through the practice of three simple habits, I’ve been able to keep my depression at bay and lead a life full of joy and balance.
Accepting That Everything Is in Constant Change
My first habit is based on the Daoist concept of Yin and Yang. Most people know the idea of Yin and Yang. Basically, Yin symbolizes the negative, dark, and female, while Yang is positive, light, and male.
At first glance, they look like an opposing and contradictory couple, but they’re nevertheless codependent. And that is where it gets interesting.
Yin and Yang both rely on each other for existence.
They are interdependent and contain each other. Notably, the relationship between Yin and Yang isn’t set in stone.
They’re always moving and in a steady reversal. They’re flowing into each other.
How do I implement this teaching as a habit?
Everything white contains something black and vice versa. In our lives, this means there is not just “good” or “bad”. And both rely on each other for existence.
When anything bad in my life happens, I remember that it can turn out good in the future. And I always remind myself that it’s my choice to define whether something is negative or positive.
This perspective helps me accept that life is in a constant state of flux, and I don’t need to resist negative changes but rather adjust my attitude towards them. It gives me the courage to face any situation with an open heart and trust that it is eventually going to work out best for me.
I also made it a habit to intentionally remind myself daily that everything around me is in constant change and nothing is static.
This helps me accept the fact that whatever I’m going through right now won’t last forever and it will eventually pass. This understanding has taken away a lot of my suffering, helped me appreciate the present moment, and calmed my mind. I even started embracing the constant change of things.
Why is it so effective?
This habit is based on the idea that nothing stays the same. It helps you develop a healthy relationship with impermanence. It always reminds you that everything has an expiry date and that it’s only temporary - even your pain and suffering.
This makes it easier for you to accept life’s struggles, take them as they come, and move on.
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Zhenya Zerkalenkov
