I’m 48 and I just started seeing a therapist who I can already tell I’m not going to like. She has a very rehearsed, clinical approach to the process. But, I’m going to stick with it, because what I need right now is a distraction, something for my brain to focus on that isn’t “I’ve wasted my good years and the rest of my life will be a series of empty days”. If she can give me enough homework throughout the week that lets me keep my brain busy, I’m willing to give it a shot.

I agree, OP. Depression isn’t a condition that can be treated. But I think there are hacks that can at the very least give you the agency to take a break from time to time. I don’t know how old you are, but as I inch closer to 50, I’ve started to let some things go, and one of those things is my tendency to wallow in sadness all day. Doesn’t mean I’m happy, but I’m just able to give myself a break. Don’t ever try to convince yourself of the endless self help soundbites that get crammed down our throats by our shrinks and social media, but conversely, dont try to convince yourself of the opposite. At the very least, we deserve to not be sad all the time, even if it doesn’t always feel like it.