I’m a 26-year-old woman. I was diagnosed with depression at 23, along with other mental health challenges.
I was working but decided to quit to focus on treatment. Every day feels gloomy, and I’m often physically exhausted, lying down most of the time.
Meeting people feels daunting, so I’ve been avoiding it.
I used to enjoy housework, but now it’s no fun, and I can barely manage cooking. I constantly wonder, “Does my existence even matter?”
Sometimes, I’m hit with sudden overwhelming anxiety or panic, and in those moments, I even think, “Maybe it’d be better if I weren’t here.”
Every day feels like I’m gasping for air, with nothing but pain.
But one night, I heard a phrase on TV that lifted me up. It was from someone named Yasuzo Ishizaka: “Life is a marathon, not a 100-meter sprint.”
It hit me like, “Wow, that makes sense.” At 26, I was anxious about everything.
I worried that if my illness didn’t improve by 30, I’d fall behind in love, marriage, or having kids, and I’d end up alone forever, which made me sad.
Even without that, I was already thinking, “I can’t even imagine a future.”
This phrase felt like it was telling me, “It’s okay to think long-term.”
There’s something powerful about words from someone older and wiser.
It made me realize that living within society’s rigid expectations can be painful. I need to walk the path of life at my own pace, doing what I want, or I’ll burn out. Those words helped me reframe my perspective.
※本記事は個人のうつ病体験談です。体験内容はあくまで個人の体験であり、医療アドバイスではありません。専門的なアドバイスを希望する場合は医師へ相談を。
※This article is a personal depression story. The content is solely based on personal experience and is not medical advice. Consult a doctor for professional advice.