Thank you for sharing @lizelle. So sorry about your family's losses.
I have had bouts of depression on and off since my early 20's. Your list of tools are definitive good advise. The thing I struggle the most with at the moment is low drive and energy.
I wanted to stop my medication a few days ago and after the 3rd day of a lower dose I started to feel sad, and up again to my normal dose. If you are chronically depressed, you have accept that you must stay on medication.
Again thank you for writing.