A truly annoying and hindering symptom of depression is a depleted sense of self-belief. It gets confiscated with little or no notice, and its timing is awful.

There you were, thinking “I’ve got this”; or you’d thought of a new way to tackle a problem with joyous clarity and you’d gone to bed feeling assured…

But the following morning, and usually from nowhere, you awaken with feelings of self-doubt instead. It’s as though you are clinging, like a goat, to a mountain!

Next enters fear and anxiety, and frankly, if you could choose, you’d opt for a duvet day. But you shouldn’t start the day without first calling to mind some nice things that people have said about you. You should not flee your nest until you’ve invested five minutes reflecting – you are literally helping to re-balance your mind, and putting back a dose of self-kindness.

Recalling compliments has no rules. They can be recent or old, and I always start with ancient ones because the golden oldies give me provenance and help to restore some perspective. They also prove that you have abilities that have temporarily left your mind.

Here are a few random ones which I recall, said by a variety of people, to help you start thinking of your own:

Sweet Emma, you are thoughtful / gosh it’s incredible that you manage, especially with your disability / you’re so funny / you’ve smashed the sales targets again / you make the best macaroni cheese / you’re a good friend / I love your story / you’re a great mum…

When you get into the habit of recalling compliments, whilst it won’t alleviate all the symptoms of depression, it will remind you of your self-worth, which in turn will assist you in getting through the day.