[kleer001]

I just kept going, did what I needed to do, stopped doing unnecessary shit and hit the pavement running. I never had enough self consciousness to not believe in myself.

It took a while. Day to day I worked as hard as I could then stopped after work hours and did little on the weekends (though I don't know how that would work these days, I was cold calling people).

I ate as cheap and healthy as I could and exercised as much as I could, lots of walks.

This was back in the early 2000's so the internet was shit and I couldn't lose myself there. These days I'd advise 0.00 leisure internet. No news, no forums, no social media. No fucking around.

This is an existential moment, very thin margins, high speed, no guard rails, this is adult shit.

[kleer001]

Just realized I left out the important part, sorry...

I took on a job, the job of finding my next job. Woke up at 6/7 and got to work, took a short lunch then back again full tilt.

Sure, I wasn't perfect, no one is, and life keeps happening and we have to deal with that. But, you know, dead fucking serious 9-5 M-F. After that I could have feelings.

[helij]

What do you mean Internet was shit in early 2000'? I lost myself there many nights.

To the OP: Love for a woman sorted me out fairly quickly in my mid 20'.

[kleer001]

In 2001 there was text and plenty of it. However, there was no a/v streaming anything, no social media, no fast twitch multiplayer games, nothing honed to a sharp edge to slice away our attention.

I should have said "MY" internet connection was shit. I thought that was easily implied. I had dial up over a shared phone line. Additionally I convinced myself that there was nothing of entertainment value on the internet so I could get my work done.