On the Darkest Days

Some days it gets really hard to be alive. You may think, well, this is it. I can't do it any longer, I'm just going to kill myself.  But those feelings come from the depression, not from you.  It is cliche, but important to remember.  There are a million things to do when the suicidal thoughts strike, but some of my favorites involve distraction or empowerment.
A good way to avoid any suicidal action is to have a plan of attack: a list of things you can do or people you can talk to when you feel oh-so-down.  Walk the dog, go outside, buy a book, etc.  But a lot of times the depression also demands you stay inside, alone, and not reach out to anyone. In these most extreme cases, I suggest internet things that inspire to keep going.
I have a friend who uses a poem, an inspiring quote, a picture of her best friend, and a sweet song to keep her sane; all of these things make for good life rafts on your worst days. I'd say have at least four things on that list.

Here are my four things:

1.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ooCeoh6608
One of my youtube heroes, John Green, discusses his experience with depression.  Above all, I think it just made me realize that everyone is suffering and I am not alone.  And also that this great person that I look up to in some ways has struggled with and overcome the same things I have.  It is like seeing the other side of depression; the success story.

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtZp7MQE2ZM
I am a big fan of spoken word poetry, so here is one of two videos.  This one kind of speaks for itself as Andrea Gibson shares her story.

3.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjjaIwVxfTw
The second poem.  This one is a lot more subtle.  It doesn't evoke the mountains of emotion that "The Madness Vase" does, but to me, it doesn't really need to.  I think this communicates well what it feels like to have gone through and be healing from depression.

4.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_xvWdY6Gr4
This is probably my most powerful weapon when I need it most.  I'm not sure exactly what it is about OneRepublic's "Something I Need" that I crave so much, but I can't help feel like I can make it a little bit longer whenever I hear it.  It makes me want to get up, move, and live.

Some of these videos may have seemed neat or dumb or preachy, but they aren't necessarily your life rafts. They are mine.
So what can you find to pull you back up on the darkest days?