That's great, ExplodingSun56. Glad something good happened for you. I remember when I was younger thinking 'when will this emptiness ever end?'. But things did change, good things did happen, rewarding things, which, yes, gives hope and makes the effort worthwhile. It's not all bad, as you know. But, yes, a bit of a slog sometimes. Good on you for focusing on school as well, it's important.

If when you feel yourself sinking into a hopeless feeling, if you can catch yourself and just focus on something else, it can alleviate that awful depressiveness from sinking in. Easier said than done I know, but it's one tool I use which does help to an extent.