I didn't graduate from college until I was 29. And it was hard. It was not a happily go back to school and nail it when you're older situation. It made me realize that I needed help with my depression and anxiety. I've been on antidepressants and anxiety medicine now for 3 years, I think. It's completely changed my life. My mom is in full support of some people who genuinely have imbalances and medication is needed. My dad was the opposite and thinks you should tough it out. I toughed it out for 29 years and made everything much harder on myself. I still struggle with anti-social, homebody tendencies. But my lows aren't debilitating. I still feel them, but I'm not paralyzed. It's what I imagine a "normal" person feels when they're down. I still have anxiety attacks, but it's only maybe once or twice a year as opposed to weekly or monthly. A lot of doctors will say you have to do counseling and medicine together. I've been in and out of counseling since I was 12 and it's never done anything for me. There have only been two counselors I've ever had that knew how to lead a session in a way that worked for me. So I just do medicine.

I'm 34 and I've just now got a job somewhere I like, and am willing to put my best effort in. I also keep in mind that sometimes my best isn't my true best, but what I'm capable of that day. The right time for you has nothing to do with the right time for others. But I get it. I felt very behind other people too. The only way you get over it is to do something that is an accomplishment for you. You have to keep moving towards your goal even if you're crawling, even if you stumble backward.