7 Game-Changing Tips for Girls With Depression

Depression affects people around the world and can be a major issue that individuals deal with for their whole lives. One of the hardest aspects of life in which depression can rear its ugly head is dating. Trying to maneuver the dating scene while dealing with depression is a very hard challenge to take on. This is even more accurate with the increase in usage of dating apps, which add another layer of human separation and complexity to the dating world. According to research, approximately 20 million people around the world use dating apps and websites on a monthly basis. For those who do suffer from depression, it may seem like dating is a lost cause. But there is a silver lining: with a few helpful tools, dating can be significantly easier, and your love life could see drastic improvements. So if you suffer from depression and have found dating to be difficult because of it, check out these seven game-changing tips for girls with depression.

Try seeking professional help

One of the best things you can do in any scenario when dealing with depression is to reach out to a professional. Dealing with depression while dating is no exception. Depression can take a toll on so much, from diminished self-esteem to low libido. A professional can help you establish a baseline for understanding how to navigate depression and how it can affect different aspects of how you show up in relationships. 

Take the pressure off of always needing the timing to be right

When dating, there is never a perfect time for things to fall into place. You could meet the person who is totally right for you when you least suspect it. Conversely, you could be ready and actively searching for your person and come up empty-handed. Depression can make you feel like you are not ready to meet the right person or even blind you to a good match that is already right in front of you. Try to keep your eyes and heart open. 

Keep your mind focused on your date

If you are on a date with a potential match, try your best to keep your mind and focus on them, not yourself. Being depressed can sometimes make a person super focused on their suffering and problems. It is hard to ignore it if you are feeling down and overwhelmed by your feelings. But if you are on a date, this could come off as self-absorbed or even as if you are not very interested. 

Be optimistic about the future

When dealing with depression, it can be hard to feel hopeful about the future. But you have to remind yourself to be as optimistic as possible when it comes to your love life. You have to keep your mind open to the possibility that things will work out well for you in the end. This will make you more emotionally and mentally available for good matches when they come your way.

Be as kind to yourself as possible 

Dating is not easy for anyone, even if you are not dealing with depression. So one of the biggest things you can do to improve your dating life is to just be nice to yourself. Putting a lot of pressure on yourself and feeling worried about dating can really knock you out of a good experience. While on a date, just try to be gentle with yourself and how you are showing up in the process. Take some time to breathe and just relax into the experience, and try to enjoy and soak up the beauty of the moment. 

Give yourself reassurance instead of seeking it from others

Depression can make you feel really insecure and unsure about how you show up in the world and in relation to others. It can easily make you feel the need to seek out reassurance from those around you. But this can become overwhelming and potentially be a turn-off for a potential match, as they will not know you very well and have little invested in the connection yet. Instead, focus on giving yourself that reassurance, and remember that you are worthy and lovable exactly the way you are. 

Don’t put too much pressure on one date

The saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” is one of the best things you can remember when it comes to navigating the dating world. It can be tempting to get really excited about a great date. But you can’t get too overzealous about the first good time you have with someone. You have to give yourself time to truly get to know a person to see if they are an actual good match, and this happens over time. Also, putting too much stock in a person early on can run off a potential match as well. Go slow, and just enjoy the process of getting to know your potential matches — you are sure to find the right one for you.