Depression is… 

Penned by D.C. Mitchell 

Depression is walking into an empty house and feeling alone. 

Depression is walking into the kitchen and seeing dirty dishes sitting in the sink, the stove unclean. 

Depression is the pile of dirty clothes that need to be washed. 

Depression is the dirty litter boxes that you keep putting off cleaning. 

Depression is walking into the bathroom, embarrassed because it needs to be cleaned. 

Depression is not showering, not brushing your teeth, a disheveled appearance. 

Depression is your room unkempt and bed unmade. 

Depression is the unswept floors and dusty furniture. 

Depression is losing your job and not knowing what you’re going to do. 

Depression is crying because you feel like you’re carrying the weight of your world alone. 

Depression is walking into a room full of friends and feeling alone. 

Depression is dishes done, stove cleaned. 

Depression is laundry washed, folded, and put away.  

Depression is walking into a clean bathroom.  

Depression is showered, teeth brushed, looking your best. 

Depression is cleaned litter boxes. 

Depression is your room clean, everything in its place. 

Depression is the swept and mopped floors, furniture dusted, spotless. 

Depression is having a job and thinking I got this.  

Depression is smiling through everything when you feel like falling apart.  

Depression is… 

Penned Saturday, 5 September 2026