Don't suffer in silence

I don't normally talk about my depression, with anyone - I tend to "suffer" in silence. At work, at home, with my friends, I put on a smile and tell everyone that I am doing well. Like so many others, I have always worried about being judged, being given (unhelpful) advice, or burdening someone else with my problems. Recently, my new therapist challenged me to reach out to someone in my circle, talk about my depression, and have an honest conversation about all I am experiencing. After several starts and stops, I finally reached out to my best friend and had an honest conversation. It was one of the most difficult things I have ever done, but her support and validation did me a world of good. I'm not better yet - far from it - but I feel like I have someone I can be real with. Honestly, that normalizing of what I'm experiencing has done so much more for me than I ever expected it to.