Navigating self-worth after an extended depressive episode

Rick G.

After losing both of my parents to COVID during the height of the pandemic, I fell into the darkest period of my life. Though they were in their 90s, the experience of losing them so close together, and under such isolating conditions, shook me deeply. I withdrew from nearly everything. I was overwhelmed by anxiety, sadness, and an unfamiliar sense of aimlessness that lingered far longer than I expected. Even when I was physically present, I felt emotionally unreachable, like I was watching life from behind a thick glass wall. That chapter changed me. It forced me to slow down, reflect, and ultimately reimagine what a meaningful life looks like. When I started to emerge from that fog, I knew I needed to live with more intention. I retired from my long career in marketing and began focusing on service and connection. I founded a nonprofit that teaches digital art to inner-city youth, and I now work with Social Venture Partners in Chicago to support grassroots organizations creating real change. This journey through grief and depression reshaped how I show up in the world. I know what it’s like to lose your footing and how powerful it can be to find it again. If you’re feeling disconnected or lost in the wake of mental health challenges, I’d be honored to walk with you as you find your way back.

Getting sober after retirement

Tom N.

I had a fulfilling career as a filmmaker and college professor, but everything shifted when I retired. What started as social drinking gradually escalated into hiding bottles and drinking during the day. With more time on my hands and less structure, alcohol crept in and took over. It wasn’t until close friends stepped in that I truly recognized the problem. I entered a rehab program and met a peer support specialist who guided me through early recovery. The meetings, coaching, and community service gave me purpose again. I’ve now been sober since November 2021 and have become a Certified Peer Support Specialist myself. I've supported others, like a young man overwhelmed by family trauma, helping him find hope and stability. Recovery has helped me rediscover joy in music, laughter, and real connection. I know how isolating it can feel to face addiction later in life, and I want to offer the same steady support I was lucky to receive.