So, for some background, I'm 31, I recently had to move in with my Dad due to moving to a new city because of an abusive relationship breaking down.

Previous to this, I was a manager at a mental health facility. Due to the stress of the relationship, work and COVID, it took its toll. I also got diagnosed with severe sleep apnoea which somewhat explained my fatigue.

I managed to somewhat get myself back on my feet. But then I had to move because I left the relationship and my home.

I was pretty much broken when I left. I'd given every ounce of energy I had to the job, the relationship and everything in between. It's been a month since then, although I am exhausted beyond comprehension, I'm actively looking for jobs, I've interviewed and doing what I can. I barely have the energy to go for a walk or get a haircut, but I'm pushing myself to do these things.

I had a conversation with my Dad tonight where he kind of revealed how he felt about the whole thing. He told me that I'd had more than enough time off and that I wasn't doing enough. He said that I just need to get back to work and keep going. I said that I understand his mentality and that I previously thought like that, that depression can at times be something you can power through, but that this was different.

In the end, he basically explained in multiple ways how I'm weak and that there is no reason why I cannot wake up at 7am each day, do 8 - 10 hours of work 5 days a week. I explained that I understood what he was saying, but the fatigue was beyond being able to push through.

Going back six months, I was agoraphobic, severe health anxiety. I couldn't be out of the house for more than 10 minutes without needing to go back home. Now, I'm driving for hours at a time, going to new places, interviewing, putting myself out there.

This has just messed up my entire perception of my progress. In myself, I feel like I'm making steady progress, it's not an amazing turn around, but I'm slowly getting there. I just feel dejected and like my depression isn't real.

I understand what he's saying, because I took six months off work, and then went back, and then had to leave the job and move to a new city. But, I'm really trying.