--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Depression cannot be overcome by listing…" description: "\"Depression cannot be overcome by listing a series of good things in one's life, any more than a broken foot can be healed by thinking about all the oth..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48a/mallory-ortberg-7200_bones_depression-cannot-be-overcome-by-listing_2068318.jpg" --- # Depression cannot be overcome by listing a series of good… ![“Depression cannot be overcome by listing a series of good things in one's life, any more than a broken foot can be healed by thinking about all the other bones you have that aren't broken.” quote by Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48a/mallory-ortberg-7200_bones_depression-cannot-be-overcome-by-listing_2068318.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48a/mallory-ortberg-7200_bones_depression-cannot-be-overcome-by-listing_2068318.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48a/mallory-ortberg-7200_bones_depression-cannot-be-overcome-by-listing_2068318.jpg) > “Depression cannot be overcome by listing a series of good things in one's life, any more than a broken foot can be healed by thinking about all the other bones you have that aren't broken.” [Mallory Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallory-ortberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Argues that listing positives cannot cure depression, similar to treating a broken foot by ignoring the injury. **In simple terms:** Listing positives won’t heal depression. Key Takeaway Seek deeper therapeutic approaches. Themes mental health depression coping realism Mood empathetic thoughtful Type psychological self‑help When to use this quote - therapy sessions - self‑care routines - support groups Key Concepts cognitive therapy mindfulness holistic healing Questions to Reflect On - What deeper steps help with depression? - How can gratitude be part of a broader plan? A Different Perspective May underestimate the value of gratitude practices. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression/) [Good things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-things/) [Overcoming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcoming/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [“That Jim Crow there in the window," answered the urchin, holding out a cent, and pointing to the gingerbread figure that had attracted his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-hawthorne/that-jim-crow-there-in-the-window-answered-the-urchin-holding-out-a/) [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/) > [Yeah, I blew up. But people don't see the other side of it. 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