My current experience

I am currently surviving. 

This is how I'm doing it. 

First of all, you need a good team. For my team, I have a therapist who I talk to twice a week, a caseworker that I meet with once a week to check in, and a psychiatrist who I meet with once a month. 

All of these are important factors and you need all three. Without one, the system breaks down. 

Second, you need to look at your life and decide what is working for you and what isn't. What is the life you are living in comparison to the life you want to live, both external and internal. How are you spending your time? Who are you around all the time? What is your job (or lack thereof like?) What are your dreams? 

Third, you need a sense of purpose. When you are depressed, you cannot feel like you are wasting your life. What is it that means more to you then anything else? How can you feel like you have a meaning to your life? Do you need a job? A religion? A passion? Do you need to do volunteering? 

Fourth, you need to be kind to yourself. Every day is not going to be great. That is ok. 

Fifth, you need a support group. Finding people like you who are living the same life and surviving is critical, and they will not judge you and help you find coping skills. My go to is DBSA. 

Sixth, you need to track your moods and find your patterns and triggers. I recommend Sanvello for this, but there are many others. This way you can know to avoid them when possible and know how to find what's bothering you.

Seventh, you need a crisis plan, or know how to know when you're spiraling. You need to be able to act on it, or have someone who will help you implement it. More on this later. 

Eighth, you need to have coping skills. Depression is in the prevention. If you can stop the spiral by distracting yourself, all the better. If you can't, then those distractions will save your life. Find some good ones. 

Ninth, you need to have a good support system. If not family, then very very good friends.

Tenth, you need to have hope. It will get better. 

Eleventh, you need to know that this journey is different for everyone and we find our own path. So, you need to have resources. Be active in your recovery. Find different ideas about depression and find what works for you. Read, watch, listen. It could save your life.