re: Wanting To Give Up and let the Coronavirus Defeat Me

The great thing about life is that those of us who are lucky enough to live in nations like the USA get to choose our purpose. At 35, it's not too late for you to make whatever you want out of your life, including a wife and kids if you choose to do that. I've faced similar struggles to what you're going through. My problems improved a lot once I started viewing my life as an opportunity to live out my values and make a small, positive change. Like you, I will probably never be remembered by history, but I'm happy knowing that I live in a way that makes me feel good about myself.

Try to spend some of this extra time thinking about what you value, what your skills are, and how you can use those skills to live a life that affirms who you are as a person. Try to reach out to others as much as you can right now too. Call or video chat or play an online game with a friend. Let your parents know you're thinking of them, and ask if they need anything.

When this crisis is over (and it will end, we just don't know exactly when), I'd encourage you to find a good mental health professional. Getting specialized help made such a tremendous difference in my life. There's no more shame in it than going to a doctor for a broken leg.

Be safe and healthy, brother. We all need one another.