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Enthusiast
I think any age is the worst time for stress and depression
Conversation Starter
In my 20s am extremely depressed and stressed, but I think my teens were even worse considering I was suicidal and haven’t been for 10 years, depression and anxiety is terrible. But at least I’m not having / preparing to act on those scary thoughts like I did in high school.
Rising Star
I think with today’s society, there is a lot of pressure in your 20s and 30s to find your way without a lot of guidance. Think of it this way - in this country, your life is pretty much scripted for you from grammar school to high school to college. Then you graduate from college in your early 20s and there is a whole world of opportunities available to you. This is both exhilarating, but also terrifying if you have had your life scripted for you.
Combined with the current FOMO and YOLO culture and keeping up with social media appearances, it seems like you can never “win”. Once you hit your 40s, you look back and really go “man all that stuff was stupid” and you can focus on the important things in life - usually family, friends, faith.
My two cents anyway.
Rising Star
OP - the only thing I will tell you is that you can’t compare yourself with others as you may not know what all is happening in their lives. I have seen folks who I thought had their stuff together and it all turned out to be a facade and / or they weren’t happy.
As long as you are comfortable in your own skin and you have people in your life who genuinely love you - that’s what we should all strive for.
I would say teen years are probably the worst re: unnecessary stress and depression (note I’m saying unnecessary as I don’t think teens should be subject to the stress they are...I’m not saying the stress and depression isn’t real). Hormones are crazy and kids are mean. I say it’s the worst time because kids should be able to enjoy their teenage years before adult responsibilities kick in.
Agree... so much unpredictability and hustle in my 20s and early 30s. I’d say around 36 I really hit my stride and it’s gotten better with every year since. I’m satisfied with all I’ve accomplished, on cruise control with my career and have the freedom to be selective to work only on projects I care about. I’m happily married 10 years and we chose not to have kids so I imagine that’s part of it too, more money and time to enjoy life now than in my 20s and early 30s.
I’m turning 40 next month and excited for more of this trajectory!
You’re so sweet, thank you OP! Hope you’re enjoying the timeframe you’re in (or at least look fwd to future ones!) 💛
I like SG.. smart dude.. but this tidbits not lining up for me personally.
Enthusiast
Totally agree. My late 20s and now 30s have been awful. 😢
Rising Star
I’m sorry SA1. I’m here if you want to talk!