Interesting thread.
I think depression does make things that are normally hard even harder. It's interesting to see how we all differ, though. Sure, not everything can be attributed to our parents or how we were raised... But I grew up livin with my single mom (just us two). She never seemed to mind housework all that much and the chores even spilled over into mowing, fixing things, even minor home renovation (which she loved). So housework and fix-it projects have always been a source of independence and pride whenever I have the energy for them. However, my mom always acted as though her day job was a necessary evil. She was always complaining about her jobs, her bosses, basically how awful it was. So now I don't mind housework, but a job to me? Always makes me feel like slave labor (well put, Martina).
Slave labor:
Working against one's own will.
Right now I'm trying to figure out (in therapy) how to get back to feeling self-possessed and free while still being able to earn a living at a job. Might it be similar for you? How do you keep your independence, feeling free to choose, feeling like this has not been forced upon you?

E