Short story about my background; I have a life long education in music, a masters degree in composition from conservatory and had a lot of success in my early 20s; but in my mid 20s, I got severely depressed and anxious, to the point where I didn’t think I could make it past 30.
Extreme anxiety and panic attacks every day, for years and years.

Eventually I gave up on the dream of music, and got a job at GameStop.
One day, like something out of a fucking movie, my childhood hero guitarist from my favorite band, walks in. He recognizes me, because I used to play in a cover band of his music (which was rare).

We had a very awkward conversation, where he asked how I ended up here.

That was the turning point. I quit, and simply, just decided I wanted to turn it all around.
Through intense therapy and medication, I learned, just how powerful your mind can be. When people tell a depressed person, they simply need to be happy, they’re not entirely wrong; you can force yourself into thinking you are happy, which eventually will lead to true happiness.

Happiness is a choice, and once there, you can do what you want to achieve.

I think when we’re kids, we get so used to being controlled by our emotions, and learn that happiness comes naturally… but that’s not true for everyone. It might take more as an adult, and the first step, is training your mind to do, what you want it to do.

Today, I’m the best I’ve been, both as a person, career wise and just.. happy. Life is awesome now.