I went through a powerful emotional breakdown over the past two years, and I have a counter-intuitive recommendation: Give up. I don't mean abandon your plans

I went through a powerful emotional breakdown over the past two years, and I have a counter-intuitive recommendation: Give up. I don't mean abandon your plans or your dreams. I mean accept that your feelings of worthlessness have a connection with your hopes and desires. The more your identity is attached to the Hypothetical Someday, the less good you're going to feel about the you of Here Now Today. If you accept that you'll probably never get everything that you want, and that you'll never be the person you wish you were (keep in mind, both of those things are moving targets), you can focus on who are now and where you are going. Don't run from those dark thoughts and embarrassing memories. Invite them in for tea. Let them speak their piece. And then look them square in the eye and say "I don't need you." Consciousness is a spotlight on a darkened, complex reality. The more you look for the things you don't like about yourself, the more you'll find. The more you find ways you could be better, the more you'll find ways you don't measure up. Stop looking. Stop trying. Just be. Move forward and grow at whatever pace comes naturally. However far you go, it's better than sitting alone in the corner, wishing that you magically felt different, preventing yourself from doing anything at all. "It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything."