Ask HN: I'm 40 this year, and have depression. Any words of wisdom?
First, stop thinking of yourself as mentally damaged.  You&#x27;re normal.  If by the time you&#x27;re 30-40 and you haven&#x27;t realized that all new things that you encounter will eventually go away, then you&#x27;re mentally damaged.  It&#x27;s a normal transition from shortsighted childishness to farsighted maturity.<p>You&#x27;re in the prime of your life.  You&#x27;re at a stage where you have skills and experience to do lots of things and make decent money.  Your job may be boring as hell, but view your job as a tool.  It something that gives you the means to do what you want.<p>That is the hard part, figuring out what you want.  Ultimately contentment comes from within but it&#x27;s easier to have with the correct external forces supporting you.  Things at this point in your life should be easier to achieve, not because they are in fact easier because often time they are more difficult tasks, but because you have years of experience knowing that you can overcome any obstacle placed in your path.<p>I&#x27;m 45 and can relate to much of what you&#x27;ve said.  I wish I had time to write more, but you really are in your prime.  Do want you need to do so you can do what you want to do.  Those two things should be very balanced at this point in your life, whereas when you&#x27;re younger you&#x27;re always doing the needs and you never have time to think about your wants.