Depression Support Group

Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.

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A sixty something dude in 2020

donttread
donttread

Has become a pretty depressing thing. Out of work due to COVID lockdowns but finances are OK for now. Our planned retirement however is on hold. As i was suppose to semi-retire not suddenly become out of work. My best years with all my hobbies, personal accomplishments , enjoyment are behind me. In some cases I'll never competently participate in that hobby again such as tennis. It danwed on me yesterday after a bad day in the woods that it's really been years since I have accomplished much of anything in my personal life and really don't find much pleasure in it on a regular basis. Most of my accomplishments since my happyiness if you will was work related, now that's gone at least for now. I can't seem to make anything good happen anymore.About 7 years ago I was on top of the world but I injured a knee , lost a daughter and the spiral began. 


I haven't been here in  a while but I thought it might be a decent place to turn to find .. I don't know what.. advise? Maybe more like understanding. I do not like being this down but it's a different form of depression then when I was younger. When there was time to erase my mistakes+, succeed next week, next year, etc. 


Also this year has been so frustrating in general! The lockdowns stuff, the bad info out there, the polarized country, people's lives on hold. I was pretty overwhelmed yesterday and hangin in today.



Thought?

Bobby5000
Bobby5000
I kind of think the glass is 2/3 full and you need to realize that. First, you were smart enough to set aside a fair amount of money, so unlike the guy who owns a business severely impacted by Covid, you're fine. You have the opportunity to do some semi-retired things now, read, movies, golf.

Personally, I got a national championship award after 50, and have improved. Do note many sports have easier standards after 55 or 60. Drive a golf ball 240 yards in the fairway, nothing notable generally, but do it consistently at 62, you can do well. In terms of tennis, can you play doubles, or something like paddle tennis.

I realize that Covid has not affected me, no travel, same income, I have been quite fortunate, and realize I need to just recognize this. Consider something spiritual, like helping a charity or working at your church. Perhaps get some counseling, posting here makes sense, but I think part of this is recognizing that objectively things are reasonably good.




*Regarding tennis, it's my theory that most people line up wrong. There are few non-serious players who have a reliable second serve with heavy top spin or over 90 per miles hour pace, and without that, your double's partner is misplaced at net, like being at net with a weak approach shot in singles.

I
donttread
donttread
I thank you but can't really relate to your post right now. Perhaps I misspoke ( typed) . The money I don't have coming in IS our retirement semi or otherwise. I was always an average athlete except for raquet games never as good as you seem to be, but now I can't even play. Don't get me wrong what you do works for you and I'm glad for you. I would like to be more positive upbeat but at this point in my life I cannot figure out how. I also had a major let down the other day which ordinarily would just = a couple of down days but on top of everything else...........
Essentially nothing has gone right in my persnel life in a few years now. No I don't mean divorce or homelessness or anything like that just can't seem to make anything positive happen anymore. Work was different but not anymore. I'm not at death's door or anything just stuck in a fail everything mode.

You know what? While I may not relate to your post did cause me to dump a little more so thanks.
Prycejosh1987
Prycejosh1987
Lock down was horrible in the first few weeks, but i made it work for me, i have spoken to more people this year than any other year in my life. Freedom is beautiful, i also have worked on family, and its good not to see them all the time. They like to see me. I absolutely enjoy my own company. I love living alone and wouldnt change it for all the money in the world. If i didnt have internet i wouldnt be saying this though.

It seems you know what to do, i wish you the best in that. Just remember to stay focused and take it one day at a time. Sow your seeds today for tomorrow. All bad circumstances can become good if you work on it.
Secouya
Secouya
I ended up retiring early right before the COVID lockdown. I didn’t stop work because of COVID, but because of a Hostile work environment. Because I was not prepared for retirement, it was like I lost my identity. I was lost, my whole life was work and volunteer work Luckily I had a lot of years vested, so my retirement income is really about the same as I was making while I worked.

Right now my volunteer work is almost nothing because of COVID and I have been trying to recreate myself. I started teaching rehabilitative Tai Chi when COVID hit, Now I am teaching online, but it’s one day a week, so I try to practice daily and develop new techniques to keep class interesting. I am trying to stay positive and explore new hobbies.