I can really empathize with the poster. I've been through a few similar hardships and at 24 I already feel like I'm 40 with the amount of responsibilities on my

I can really empathize with the poster. I've been through a few similar hardships and at 24 I already feel like I'm 40 with the amount of responsibilities on my shoulders. My own father passed away at 20 and left me with a 3 bedroom house and an ill mother and almost zero cash. I've had to fight bailiffs from taking this house, stopping the state sending me to jail for paying state taxes late (tip: pay on time, the stress is not worth it) Also graduating into the recession wasn't great and even the current job I'm doing (working at a hot internet company directly with the founders) sees me earning well below my true market value. However, its not all doom and gloom. The OP has alot of time to recover. Here are my own suggestions: 1) Exercise: 20 minutes a day do this for 2-3 weeks your mood will lift completely 2) Do some sort of work: it doesn't matter 3) Date, approach girls, meet new people: if you can do this actively, it will really take your mind of things 4) Avoid: anyone who brings you down, this may be difficult at first but find a way around this. Bring people closer who make you happy and push those away who bring you down. Your family is not exempt here and if the relationship is toxic you need to keep it away from you 5) Remember and reflect that you are only 20. Some of the most jammy gits on HN or founders who get an exit in early 20s are lucky, jammy gits. I've read enough into the story to realize they are not all brilliant and these things happen as a matter of coincidence and good fortune. However, think about what you could learn. How did they get into that position, what was their situation, try reach out to them. Last week at work I did a v.comprehensive competitor analysis of everyone in my space and my boss said I need to know what everyone else is doing here so we can learn. And he's been in the game for 10 year. I hope this helps, the HN community have given some formidable advice on this thread!