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Depression Quote by Andrew Solomon

“The opposite of depression is not happiness, but vitality and my life, as I write this, is vital even when sad. I may wake up sometime next year without my mind again; it is not likely to stick around all the time. Meanwhile, however, I have discovered what I would have to call a soul, a part of…” quote by Andrew Solomon
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““The opposite of depression is not happiness, but vitality and my life, as I write this, is vital even when sad. I may wake up sometime next year without my mind again; it is not likely to stick around all the time. Meanwhile, however, I have discovered what I would have to call a soul, a part of myself I could never have imagined until one day, seven years ago, when hell came to pay me a surprise visit. It's a precious discovery. Almost every day I feel momentary flashes of hopelessness and wonder every time whether I am slipping. For a petrifying instant here and there, a lightning-quick flash, I want a car to run me over...I hate these feelings but, but I know that they have driven me to look deeper at life, to find and cling to reasons for living, I cannot find it in me to regret entirely the course my life has taken. Every day, I choose, sometimes gamely, and sometimes against the moment's reason, to be alive. Is that not a rare joy?””

Andrew Solomon

About This Quote

Source Interview: The New Yorker, “The Art of Survival”, 2015

Depression’s opposite is not simple happiness but a vital, resilient life force that persists even amid sadness and fleeting thoughts of hopelessness.

In simple terms: Vitality beats happiness as a deeper resilience.

Key Takeaway

Choose to live despite pain.

Themes

mental health resilience existential meaning hope self‑discovery

Mood

reflective determined hopeful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • therapy sessions
  • personal journaling
  • support groups
  • creative expression
  • mindfulness practice

Key Concepts

psychology philosophy neurobiology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What daily practices help you feel vital?
  • How do you balance acceptance of sadness with seeking meaning?
A Different Perspective

Sustaining vitality can be exhausting and may require external support.

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