Hi ArcheM,

Around the time I turned 25 I had the deepest depression up till then in my life. Totally felt at bottom and trapped. I sense maybe a similar befuddlement in your complaints?

In the past month I've read Emerson's "Experience" essay a couple of times. This is almost a combative piece as he pushed back against the "facts" and calculations of "science" to rouse readers' appreciation of their inner creator.

It's worth a read. I'll share a few snippets under a few "tips" [my heading in bold red, Emerson's text in blue]:

Respect the Call
Into every intelligence there is a door which is never closed, through which the creator passes.

A Step may be to give yourself some Slack
We do not know today whether we are busy or idle. In times when we thought ourselves indolent, we have afterwards discovered, that much was accomplished, and much was begun in us.

Prepare for Surprising Jumps
All good conversation, manners, and action, come from a spontaneity which forgets usages, and makes the moment great. Nature hates calculators; her methods are saltatory and impulsive.

Put up a Sturdy Wall of “No!” to Diversions and Distractions
A preoccupied attention is the only answer to the importunate frivolity of other people: an attention, and to an aim which makes their wants frivolous. Adrastia, "that every soul which had acquired any truth, should be safe from harm until another period."

Stepping towards your Goal will Lead You to New Places
The individual is always mistaken. [They] designed many things, and drew in other persons as coadjutors, quarrelled with some or all, blundered much, and something is done; all are a little advanced, but the individual is always mistaken. It turns out somewhat new, and very unlike what [they] promised [themselves].

Revu2