Fighting Acute Depression

My only reliable strategy for fighting acute depression:

• Identify something simple (simple does not equal easy) that I don't want to do but will feel good having made progress on. Dishes is a good one for me. Laundry is another.
• Identify the smallest thing that constitutes progress. Washing one dish, putting away one piece of clothing.
• Focus on the fact that doing that smallest thing represents progress. If I get more done, great! If not, I made progress when feeling overwhelmed.
• Go do that smallest thing. Chances are more will get done since starting is the hardest part. If not, I don't beat myself up. I made progress and the next progress will be easier.
• It doesn't always work and that's okay too. When getting started is the hardest part, trying is a small amount of success which fuels further success.