Living with Depression: Redefining What ‘Normal’ Really Means

What does “normal” look like when you’re living with depression? For Tara, it’s not what society tells her it should be—it’s the small victories: taking a shower, cooking a meal, getting through the day.

In this episode, Tara shares her lifelong journey with panic attacks, trauma, grief, and depression. She opens up about the shame of struggling through college, the guilt of not being fully present as a mother, and the daily fight to hold onto hope. With courage and honesty, she explains how asking for help, redefining “normal,” and choosing to stay alive are acts of strength—not weakness.

Her story is a reminder that living with depression is not about fitting into someone else’s definition of normal—it’s about finding your own.

Primary Topics Covered:

• Tara’s early panic attacks and childhood trauma
• How naming her anxiety brought both relief and new challenges
• Transition from anxiety to depression in college and the shame of being unable to function
• Grief and loss as triggers for worsening depression
• The impact of depression on work, relationships, and parenting
• Explaining depression to her children and the guilt of not being fully present
• Why asking for help feels like a burden—and how to push past that fear
• Redefining “normal” when living with depression
• The power of simple support: “I may not understand, but I’m available to you.”
• How therapy, medication, and honesty keep her alive and grounded

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro and welcome  
01:19 – Why sharing stories helps normalize depression  
02:15 – Tara’s struggle with shame and embarrassment about depression  
03:00 – The importance of asking for help, even if it feels like a burden  
04:22 – Offering support: “I may not understand, but I’m available to you.”  
05:20 – Tara’s lifelong battle with anxiety and depression  
06:20 – Childhood trauma: surviving a drunk driving accident at age 4  
07:38 – Discovering the name for her panic attacks as a teenager  
08:47 – Relief of being diagnosed and starting treatment  
09:25 – Depression taking hold in college and the shame of not functioning  
10:14 – Grief and loss worsening depression in adulthood  
10:48 – Impact of depression on work, family, and friendships  
12:09 – Explaining depression to her children with honesty and love  
13:42 – Redefining “normal” while living with depression  
14:56 – Her daughter’s reminder: “You choose every day to be here.”  
15:13 – Closing reflections: asking for help, telling your truth  
15:43 – Outro and reminder: you are not alone  

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