When I was properly depressed, I went and sought medical attention.

When I'm just in a blue mood, I curl up on the couch with my favorite afghan, watch sappy movies, eat popcorn and feel sorry for myself. Occasionally I annoy friends with longwinded, random, weepy, seslf indulgent phone calls (which they put up with because they know they get a home cooked meal once I get my head out of my ass ;-)). If I'm still blue the next morning...I pick someone in my life, and commit a random act of kindness in their direction. Focusing on cheering someone ELSE up takes my mind off my own drama, seeing them smile tends to break me out of it. I feel proud of myself for having done good, and pride is incompatible with pity.

See, while I think everyone deserves a good 24 hour self pity party once in a while....I don't actually enjoy more than that. So I find ways to stop wallowing.