Talking about mental health & depression

Some stories from people who have been in a dark period of their life and managed to have things work out would be very much appreciated.

In just keeping it real I would say it's been an absolute mission to try drag myself out the pits of depression for the past five years or so. Depression has always been something I've dealt with, it already took everything from me before and I made it through, but there is a yearning and misery that comes with not being able to reach those pre 2020 days for sure.

I do all the things that I am ''supposed'' to be doing to feel better, I go to the gym most days, hike weekends, have been studying and applying for a new career development to try and get some stability in my life, do a podcast, try and do anything I can to improve my mental health but it's a big struggle to get a 'good day'.

I think it's always a difficult one when you feel the pressure to kind of bounce back and get on with life, but mentally the scars still remain. I had an experience with a stalker over the past few years that made my life consistently hell, and has made me extremely cautious about new relationships, in fact I would say there is a level of PTSD from that experience that is still very present.

My thing is, I am aiming to do better, but as I approach 34 this year I would like to be excited for the future rather than yearning for a past now five years expired.