Get a job at a not-that-interesting work place and let it improve while you're there. ;)
Look for a new job a year in.
Ask HN: I'm depressed, what should I do?
51–60 of 69 posts
Re: Ask HN: I'm depressed, what should I do?
#52You're a recent grad and expect people to appreciate you and think highly of you before you've even started? Maybe the problem is your perception of how the world works. This whole thing is a self-indulgent whine fest. You're not depressed because some people didn't offer you a gig that you think fits your imagined status and because you didn't take a shower in a few days. The fact you think depression is such a triv…
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Re: Ask HN: I'm depressed, what should I do?
#531. Take a shower, brush your teeth, make your bed, and get dressed for work every weekday. Including shoes. 2. Spend the first 4 hours of every workday doing your best to get a job. 3. Profit. You're in no position to be picky right now. Get a job and get the hell out of your parents' house. Do not chase teh shiny. There is no such thing as a "not-that-interesting tech stack" -- some of the best gigs are writing bori…
I agree with the spirit of your post and I think it's good advice for someone within the range of 'normal' mental health.
However I think telling someone who is depressed to 'suck it up, buttercup' is unhelpful and potentially dangerous.
I was never properly diagnosed, but I have suffered with what I now think is depression for long periods of my life. Believe me, I told myself to 'suck it up' every single day. And my continued failure to 'suck it up' became another stick to beat myself with, and (in the warped mindset of the depressive) more evidence that I was completely, totally worthless.
Please don't ever tell a depressed person to 'just be happy' or 'suck it up' or 'snap out of it'. It doesn't work like that.
That's not to say the OP should abdicate all responsibility for his future. He should still do the other things you mention. But he should be kind to himself along the way.
One caveat: what's with the weird stigma (most prevalent, it seems, in English-speaking countries) about living with your parents? If you get along with your parents and they live in an area where there are jobs, what's wrong with staying a supportive environment and saving money for a while?
Re: Ask HN: I'm depressed, what should I do?
#541. Take a shower, brush your teeth, make your bed, and get dressed for work every weekday. Including shoes. 2. Spend the first 4 hours of every workday doing your best to get a job. 3. Profit. You're in no position to be picky right now. Get a job and get the hell out of your parents' house. Do not chase teh shiny. There is no such thing as a "not-that-interesting tech stack" -- some of the best gigs are writing bori…
I agree with the spirit of your post and I think it's good advice for someone within the range of 'normal' mental health. However I think telling someone who is depressed to 'suck it up, buttercup' is unhelpful and potentially dangerous. I was never properly diagnosed, but I have suffered with what I now think is depression for long periods of my life. Believe me, I told myself to 'suck it up' every single day. And m…
>However I think telling someone who is depressed to 'suck it up, buttercup' is unhelpful and potentially dangerous.
I didn't take it that stray was saying to suck it up and be happy or get out of the depression but suck it up and take a job that may not be the ideal job for the OP currently. There are a lot of shitty jobs out there and as a junior you are more likely to be stuck with one of those than people with experience. Take a shitty job learn what you can and then move to a better job.
Re: Ask HN: I'm depressed, what should I do?
#55I think the best way to get rid of bad mood and anxious thoughts is to attend the gym. I'm huge fan of regular trainings. I attend the gym 3 times per week and run every morning. My trainer even advised me to buy steroids for sale at http://daddyroids.org/ to increase strength and to transform my body. Sport inspires me a lot. Next year I'm going to take part in the local fitness contest.
Re: Ask HN: I'm depressed, what should I do?
#56Earlier quoted context omitted.
I agree with the spirit of your post and I think it's good advice for someone within the range of 'normal' mental health. However I think telling someone who is depressed to 'suck it up, buttercup' is unhelpful and potentially dangerous. I was never properly diagnosed, but I have suffered with what I now think is depression for long periods of my life. Believe me, I told myself to 'suck it up' every single day. And m…
>However I think telling someone who is depressed to 'suck it up, buttercup' is unhelpful and potentially dangerous. I didn't take it that stray was saying to suck it up and be happy or get out of the depression but suck it up and take a job that may not be the ideal job for the OP currently. There are a lot of shitty jobs out there and as a junior you are more likely to be stuck with one of those than people with ex…
Correct.
Re: Ask HN: I'm depressed, what should I do?
#57My very brief 2 cents: Exercise. It's clinically proven to help combat depression. Also, don't worry so much about compensation so early in your career. Experience is worth much more than $ to you at this stage.
Thanks for your response. I think that exercise would be a good start, so I'll check the local gyms, it would also give me something to occupy me during the days. About compensation, every piece of advice I got so far was about properly negotiating the first because it does not grow that fast (in Europe).
Bodyweight fitness. You are your own gym!
Don't spend the money on a gym membership until you have it.
Another couple things I'd add to what others have said:
Get enough GOOD sleep.
Read. It will help you both with focus, and give your mind a break from the things that are heavy on your heart.
Re: Ask HN: I'm depressed, what should I do?
#58It sounds like you have a pretty good idea what your next steps are already.
First, talk to a health professional who can understand and address the nuances of your situation better than anyone on HN.
Second, just consider that there is no perfect tech stack and most people don't know all of the pieces to a company's stack when they join. Perhaps there is a certain language or framework you're passionate about. I would encourage you to seek out companies using that one piece of tech through AngelList, Stack Overflow Jobs, etc.
A third thing to consider is that once you have some experience on paper, it's a huge boost for your next job. Side projects count too.
Re: Ask HN: I'm depressed, what should I do?
#59> all of the offer were with not-that-interesting tech stacks and really bad compensations.
I hate to say it, but beggars can't be choosers. You're fresh out of school with only an internship on your resume. Get some experience. If the company sucks, help make them better. If the pay sucks, it's better than no pay. Just keep looking for better options.
Re: Ask HN: I'm depressed, what should I do?
#60Volunteer and help someone else in need.