THIS MUST SEEM TOO LONG TO READ AND WILL UNDERSTAND IF ANYONE DON'T WANT TO READ IT BUT I THOUGHT OF SHARING IT. IF YOU READ TILL END THEN I AM ALREADY VERY THANKFUL TO YOU.
I don't know if I am making any progress in life, is it going to make things in my life better or just trying (like a missile with no guidance system) which won't have any good end result. Like is it all just an illusion that I am trying to achieve goals in life and will achieve something which I want to in the end but the end result will be zero (0) because I am not able to do it properly or I am just not able to (or not upto the mark at this stage of my life).
To make things clear, I am 27 years old. Computer Science Engineer with no proper (coding) skills to secure a good job in any company. So basically I have been jobless since I passed out from college which was in 2018. It is not like that all the B.tech graduates in India have good proper skills (right after college) to secure at least a freshers job after passing from college. Even after 2-3 years of passing out there are a lot of options. After 3-4 years of passing out and not having work experience is when the need to acquire good skills is required.
Now, how I got into this situation is by MY OWN DECISIONS. I will make this short as I don't want to explain more than what is required to get to know my situation.
I loved a girl from high school truly and madly. Actually we both loved each other. But I loved her more than she or I would have ever thought of. We broke up after 3.5 years of relationship. Then all in my mind left was just her (like everything about her only) and god knows I cried a lot and even tried a lot to get myself move on in life and make myself successful because breakups happen to almost everyone. But I failed miserably in it and also in my high school board exams too. In the meantime she went through a lot too but she was always smart, mature and she moved on. She went to another city, made friends and also kept in mind about career growth. She also went into relationships (some worked some didn't but now she is in a filmy kind of relationship which means she is like in a dream love affair and will get married soon too). But all these times we kept talking and chatting (as a friend) whenever we got time (meaning whenever she got time because I was always there for her everything from texts to calls like everything). And all those times I just acted that I am okay because I was happy that she is doing good in her life and I always just kept my feelings to myself. But I was in deep pain. Even when I got the chance to get into new relationships I just was not up for it.
Reality was after I lost her I lost everything in my life (except thank god not my family). I started drinking hard, smoking cigarettes, smoking weed and then hard drugs because these things used to give me escape from the reality in which I was living now. I know I should have faced reality head on but I was emotionally too drained and invested in her. I always used to wait a year when she would come back home from college and we used to meet (like 1-2 times max 3 times). And I would just listen to her looking at her (like how a child looks at the toy he/she wants from a toy shop). I never told her what I felt all those times and what it was like meeting her after a year of hoping to meet her. And the tears of mine when she used to leave I remember them so vividly that I can't forget them. This was the only thing which kept me going. That feeling of hope that I will meet her again.
Then sh*t and life both happened and I was left with nothing. Only her memories were and are by my side now. And will always be (no one can take this from me).
Now more hard drugs, drinking and everything happened and my career was down in the gutter. When I used to get sober everyday or every other day dreams of her used to pay me a visit everytime I tried to sleep. Even sleep was like a luxury to me. And feeling depressed was normal. Then relapses of addiction happened again and again.
Right now, I am completely sober for a few months and I still have dreams about her (to remind you yeah even after 13 fuc***g years). That love of mine has changed me completely (I won't be able to explain more about it but for an instance now I don't even laugh properly).
But now I want to be successful in my life. All those things which I turned down because I was not alright I want it now. It will be the only thing which will bring joy into my life because after hitting rock bottom and getting back up takes a lot of courage, strength, dedication and hard work and if I will be able to get back up then in my eyes I will gain my respect again.
I am trying to get certifications so that I can be able to fulfill the career gap which I am having. But the thing is I am not what I used to be. I am not what others in my batch are. I am not able to learn fast. Or if I am able to learn fast I am not able to practice properly to have a grip on the topic or language. I make plans but I fail in fulfilling them. And I wake up everyday feeling depressed because of lots of things (like how my peers have achieved so much till now and where I am now, also about her of course etc). I am angry both at her and myself too. I am angry and I am in a lot of pain too. I feel a range of emotions. I have self doubt. Also recovering from years of drug abuse and it will take time. But somehow I just feel am I not enough anymore or was I ever?
I don't have that confidence left in me. I am trying but I am not even sure if it is going to help or not.
A lot is happening and has happened. I can't even write my feelings, my emotions, my stories (it's overwhelming and too much) but I want it all to end because now I am too fed up. I can't take it anymore. I have to get something which will make me feel I am not a loser (I have been but don't want to be anymore). I know I have been a complete idiot, stupid or whatever you think of me. Also if you felt too much trouble to understand what I tried to express then no worries because I know I am not good at expressing my thoughts, feelings or even articulating words. I am just a loser, a total wreck who is just trying to get back up. Bear with me.
What I get those days when everything feels like it's spiraling. When I first started college, I was a total mess! couldn't keep up with assignments, my scial life was non-existent, and I felt like I was drowning. The anxiety was so real, I'd wake up with my heart racing. What helped me was breaking everything down into tiny chinks. Like, instead of thinking "I need to ace this whole exam," I'd focus on understanding just one topic at a time. Also found out that most people around me were struggling too
they just didn't show it
@richardstanley8641 I agree! The anxiety and depression you're feeling are valid, but they don't have to be permanent. Focus on what you can control right now. Break down your tasks into smaller, manageable steps like said above and you'll be alright
I'll be straight with you - everyone feels lost sometimes. It's part of being human. What matters is recognizing these feelings without letting them define you. Take a step back and breathe.
@RachelFrance so true. growth often happens in the moments that challenge us most.
Challenges are temporary, my friend
Listen carefully because what I'm about to say comes from decades of experience - no matter how dark it seems now, this too shall pass. Every successful person has faced moments of doubt and despair. The key isn't to avoid these feelings but to acknowledge them and keep moving forward
Feeling like a loser doesn't mean you are one. Straight up - everyone's got their own timeline. Some of my friends are already working at big companies while I'm still figuring out what I want to do. Used to make me feel like garbage until I realized they're probably dealing with their own stuff too. Take it one day at a time, one problem at a time. Also, hit me up if you wanna talk and take your mind off things
@Esther it's such an easy thing to say, but when you're in it you just forget about this simple stuff. I'm actually going through break up right now, but I feel exactly like the op, like I'm some kind of loser that does everything so wrong I just don't understand why why me
@Esther i downloaded like 5 dating apps then deleted them all in one day because everything felt so WEIRD. keep looking at old photos even though i know i shouldn't. my friends are like "go out, meet people!" but i cannnt. started rearranging my furniture at 3am last night because apparently that's what we do now?? my neighbor probably thinks i'm crazy dragging my couch around at weird hours. honestly though, your cat has the right idea - mine just sleeps through all my drama and sometimes judges me with one open eye when i'm having a meltdown over finding an old movie ticket in my jacket.
@rabbit Hi! wow, I wrote that response a week ago but it felt like eternity tbh. I totally get that breakup feeling. Been there. Like, last year I spent three months just binge-watching cooking shows and ordering way too much takeout because my ex and I split. Couldn't even look at our favorite coffee shop without getting all weird about it. I started learning how to make these ridiculous fancy lattes at home just to prove I could do it better than that place. They're still terrible, but at least my kitchen smells amazing now. The whole "why me" thing hits hard I was literally asking my cat that question last week when I messed up a job interview. She just stared at me like I was speaking alien language and demanded treats. Sometimes I think cats have life figured out better than we do. They just don't care about all this stuff we torture ourselves over.
Hey there! Sometimes when everything feels overwhelming, it helps to break things down into smaller, manageable pieces.
Taking care of yourself isn't a luxury, it's essential. Start with basic self-care: get enough sleep, eat well, move your body. Find activities that bring you joy and peace. Practice mindfulness to stay grounded in the present moment.
Remember that your thoughts aren't facts , they're just thoughts. Challenge negative self-talk with compassion. Connect with nature regularly.
Reach out to friends or family when you need support. Take one small step at a time. These moments of struggle don't define you.
Treat yourself with the same kindness you'd show a dear friend. Start each morning by listing three things you're grateful for. Take regular breaks to reset your mind. Find joy in simple pleasures. Remember that your worth isn't measured by exam scores or external achievements