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Ask HN: How did you rebuild yourself after having hit rock bottom?

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Re: Ask HN: How did you rebuild yourself after having hit rock bottom?

#141
I have hit rock bottom about three times in life. One was losing my dad when I was 11-12 years old. I couldn't do much to get out of the slump because I was too young. It was my mom who led the family and took on the role of breadwinner+emotional support for her three kids. I genuinely owe her a lot for her resilience in such a different time for our family.

Second time was when my first girlfriend whom, like in your case, I thought was the love of my life and would marry. Back then, I was young; a bit arrogant (tend to think my thoughts/beliefs are the correct way to do things); thought honesty==saying things the way I see them without filter (not censoring things before I say with empathy) and worse, thought my then gf will put up with it. I was wrong. After a couple of years of putting up with my stubborn ways, she told me she's breaking up with me. It came as an absolute surprise to me and despite my pleas to her that I'd try to change my ways, she didn't buy them (she believes that people can never change). Since the apartment we lived was under my gf's name, I had to find a room in a city (San Francisco), which I just moved 4-5 months ago to follow my gf (she got a job in SF before I found mine). I knew no one in that city and didn't have a car. Because I graduated from college recently, I was relatively poor as well. My gf gave me 2 weeks to move out. I remember walking in the rainy, cold/misty weather of SF after work every day to look for relatively cheap apartments in SF, Daly City and Oakland (saw a couple of shady apartments). I even got flu and lingering cough in that period. Eventually, I found a room in SF and moved my stuff using Cal train (only took 3 trips total because I didn't have much). After moving into my new apartment, it took me six months to recover from the heartbreak. It took me a couple of years to completely get rid of her from my mind. It helps a little that during the break-up period, I was preparing for grad school applications (GRE prep, for example) and work, so I was able to divert my attention and energy to there.

The third time was when my second gf, the one I met in grad school, cheated on me in my fourth year of PhD. She took a job in PA; our relationship became long-distance for about a year; and she found a boyfriend at her new job, but didn't have the guts to tell me for (I think) about three months until I slowly figured it out. That happened in November and I had a terrible Christmas and New Year. I asked for a break from my PhD supervisor and he let me (because he knows that I am not going into academia and thus, I could graduate with just 3 papers to my name as the first author. This means, I just need to finish 2 chapters in my thesis summarizing previous research and can defend that). I was also financially supporting my two siblings for their college and I literally had ~$2000 in my bank account left. So I promised my PhD advisor that I'll come back and defend my thesis. Then I left the University town and took an internship in NYC, which turns into a full-time job. Because my ex-gf cheated on me, it was easy to get over her. I think it took maybe 3 months after starting my internship to get back to normal. I was afraid to get back to the dating scene for a year or a year and a half.

All of this to say that time will heal you. Hang in there. It's not the end of the world. In fact, nothing in life is until maybe we are in our dying bed or an asteroid is about to hit the earth. Take the lessons from your previous experiences and try to become a better person (e.g., don't repeat the mistakes you made in your previous relationships). There are more than one person in the world who can be your soulmate (since break-up with my first gf, I met at least 6 girls--I am not the kind of person who actively date/go on hook-ups--who I was able to connect emotionally (I only ended up dating two of them and the last of them has been my wife of four years). Relationship aside, I'd say that PhD is not that of a big deal. In the end though, we have to make money. It's nice to have a PhD at the tail of your name (I never use it to be honest because I dislike formalities/showing-off), but in the worst case scenario that you don't have it, it's totally fine. You got quite a bit of experience from doing research in grad school and you take the knowledge with you in your life, which can become quite handy in your career.

Know what is in your control and what is not. Focus on what you can control and try to achieve better outcome in what you can. Try to stay connected friends/family consistently if you have good relationship with them (if not, it's still okay; I didn't have any, but I survived, so can you). That will keep you from feeling too lonely sometimes. Also, feel free to do some exercise/establish workout routines for self improvement. I was able to do 100+ push-ups after the first break-up with my gf because I exercised and also took long walks in SF (around Golden Gate bridge park) while listening to music; these really helped. Most of all, please remember that this is not the end of the world. New (some good, some not-so-good) experiences await you and you just need to take whatever positive you can from this experience, and use it as a base to do better in the future. Stay strong and try to do the best in what you can control.

Re: Ask HN: How did you rebuild yourself after having hit rock bottom?

#142
post #98

I'll echo other commenters here on the PhD side, if that helps you out. Nearly all PhDs are having the 'work' troubles you are, I sure did, all of my friends sure did, I don't know of a single person that hasn't had issues like you are having with finishing their PhD. Really, what you are experiencing is so common that I would be surprised at anything else. If you can, talk with your advisor or committee and explain…

It's feeling, as a non-PhD but still pushes myself, that emotional intelligence is what is needed to help the OP process their Toxic Family (narcissist parent), and loss of recent support, because the OP talks dismissively about the support they're receiving from their therapist in terms one might describe a Toxic Family.

I wonder if the OP is framing their world in their child-mindset.

And the "push hard to PhD" behavior is an indication of a split. A focus on intellectual. Which suggests under-attending to emotional awareness.

So, "do something that is right for you" eventually leads to thinking about what is right, which leads one necessarily to Feel what is right. Keyword is to Feel. Being aware of feelings. Boom.

Keep going to therapy, OP, and engage - it's scary and worthwhile.

Re: Ask HN: How did you rebuild yourself after having hit rock bottom?

#143
post #120
post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Marriages are fundamentally just a societal complication of a relationship - complete with dubious legal consequences and a not a sure thing that can end. Or, alternatively marriage is the fundamental glue of society and the germ of new life across the vastness of time and in basically every culture through disasters and war. One of these perspectives is fair to the most ancient institution.

Someone working towards a phd in the final year of work shouldn’t be personally taking upon the baser weight and long term sustainability of society. That’s too much for any one person - Jimmy Carter clearly “settled for less” and still managed a lot more than the rest of us could hope in our lifetimes. OP is perfectly fine to just focus on the degree and know the world will continue on while OP works. Your framing t…

> Your framing this as something more than it is is abhorrent.

Framing marriage as something more than "a societal complication of a relationship" is abhorrent? Do you think maybe that's a little harsh?

Re: Ask HN: How did you rebuild yourself after having hit rock bottom?

#144
post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is a very interesting perspective! I urge you to create a society or subculture which doesn't waste time on marriage. When it has lasted for at least one generation, come back and tell the rest of us about it.

I mean, monasteries have existed for hundreds of years.

Thousands. And a phd program is pretty similar to a modern monastery.

Re: Ask HN: How did you rebuild yourself after having hit rock bottom?

#146
post #133
post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

@ianai: The POSTER is talking about being under-prepared for integrating their emotions into their lives, and NOT in the "life goal" sense. "[I am a] broken pile of glass" != "[I need to hear about the] job market" kind of situation. As I read their posting, it's more of a "help me develop my emotional intelligence."

Which still sounds pretty normal for a last year of phd. Freedom and autonomy from the burden await past the degree. Deep psychological work is going to take longer than a year, cost $$$$, could be fleeting, and clearly not going to finish the degree in a year. Or quit the program and start a new life. But I’d strongly advise OP first honestly discuss that with their mentors. Life absolutely will go on and the market…

I see. Makes sense.

And for me it's sad for me to see a person, the OP, being / complaining of overwhelmed by the tall wave of their goals competing with their significant emotional trauma .. their psyche is pretty unhappy.

Re: Ask HN: How did you rebuild yourself after having hit rock bottom?

#147

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Evolve or die. Marriage is an unnecessary burden and construct in modern times. Love, date, cohabitat (non community property state), but the failure rate is too high (~66% of marriages fail) when the cost is similarly high. Warren Buffett says the factor which most contributes to your future wealth is who you pick to marry. Do you feel lucky? https://www.amazon.com/Science-Happily-Ever-After-Enduring/d...

Or marry a good person, raise happy kids and live a good life together. If you are not married and one partner makes significantly more than the other, what's to stop the wealthy partner just deciding 20 years into the relationship that they want a newer model and just leaving the former partner destitute? It creates a massive power discrepancy in the relationship. "Do what I want or I'll leave you in the street." Ma…

Marrying "a good person" can also mitigate all those concerns you have. If two "good people" co-habitate then neither one will just leave after 20 years. Overall, advice about "good people" isn't really actionable.

Re: Ask HN: How did you rebuild yourself after having hit rock bottom?

#148
post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Someone working towards a phd in the final year of work shouldn’t be personally taking upon the baser weight and long term sustainability of society. That’s too much for any one person - Jimmy Carter clearly “settled for less” and still managed a lot more than the rest of us could hope in our lifetimes. OP is perfectly fine to just focus on the degree and know the world will continue on while OP works. Your framing t…

> Your framing this as something more than it is is abhorrent. Framing marriage as something more than "a societal complication of a relationship" is abhorrent? Do you think maybe that's a little harsh?

That’s an outright abusive misreading of what I’ve said.

Re: Ask HN: How did you rebuild yourself after having hit rock bottom?

#149
I made the decision to not allow things to bring me down. I invested in new hobbies to push back the pain and in turn that eventually led me into getting a decent job. I focused on the things I could focus on - myself, my work, my friends, and I kept trying to expand my social circles.

You are the only thing holding you back.

Re: Ask HN: How did you rebuild yourself after having hit rock bottom?

#150
Hi friend. This mirrors my experience closely over the last three months. Top grad school, close to finishing with a job lined up. She got a job far away after struggling for 6 months to get one. Since then I’ve been broken. No passion for grad school, or anything anymore. I quit therapy since it was so unproductive and expensive.

Though I’m probably not the best person to get advice from, here’s what has helped me.

First of all exercise. I’d suggest swimming. I picked up running after several years of not doing it and hurt myself pretty badly since I’m no longer the young person I once was.

The second thing that I am finding helpful is bumble. I’m in no way ready to have a relationship but the lack of confidence I had after losing my life partner was/is so profound. By going to drinks with people I’m able to feel desired again. It feels great to feel wanted again after being dumped by the person who knew me the best. Try to not compare people you see to her, it’s going to be impossible though. Be in the moment as much as possible. Do one date a week. This isn’t about being social or whatever, it’s about prioritizing your mental health. Go on dates with people you’d never consider talking normally (I’m a nerd). For me, seeing finance people, actors, etc in places that I’d never normally go to like a karaoke bar has been the best exercise to forgetting I’ve come up with.

So far that’s it. My goal is to develop as a person, by finding new hobbies and getting passionate about something again. I’m afraid that I will have to wait until after graduation.

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