I found that doing things I normally would've thought was fun worked well, even if I didn't think so at when I was depressed. This was the starting step for me to get better.

I know what you mean. I've been there.

And yet, from my own experience and the little I have read, the bigger problem is that there is no anticipation of fun. Thinking of fun activities does not bring me joy when depressed. Doing them brings lesser joy, but there is still joy, however little.