I'm not sure what the best way to put this is without sounding insensitive, but death of a loved one, although tragic, can be an opportunity for a sobering-up unlike any other. lyime, maybe this is a good time to re-consider the fundamentals in life, take some time to think about what you want and where you are going?
When you say re-consider the fundamentals of life what exactly are you referring to? What should I think about, sorry just trying to understand what you are saying.
No problem, it's hard not to be vague... I'm not sure how close you were to your roomie (I've been close to most of mine), but I imagine I'd take time to reconsider my friendships, my ambitions, goals, etc. Is your startup really all that important right now, or can it wait a couple of years? What do you want to do now that you're graduating - would you be happier doing something else (academia, traveling, volunteering, teaching)? Should you get a puppy? Or a new haircut? Write an emacs extension? Read that book you've been meaning to (or one you haven't)?
I've been very fortunate not to have lost loved ones so unexpectedly as you just did, but I find letting my mind wander in times of such stress is the best way of coping with loss.
On the other hand, this probably varies by personality, so consulting a professional (shrink, priest, rabbi, etc) is probably your best bet.
Thanks for the reply. My roommate was close to me otherwise I wouldn't have posted this on YC. I think I am going to seek professional counseling as many of you have recommended. In terms of reconsidering things... I have always put my relationships with friends/family in front of everything else. I believe that people are more important then anything else and so I give me best in that respect. Although I find my self happy when I am doing what I enjoy the most. For me it is technology, it is learning and it is applying. This is why I am here; being part of this community.
I think I am going to seek professional counseling as many of you have recommended.
Great idea. Just don't go to anyone who can prescribe you pills.
For me it is technology, it is learning and it is applying.
Well put. But here is what keeps me up at night: as the tiny fraction of humanity's population lucky enough to be born in the right place at the right time, we have more ways of "applying ourselves" than the vast majority of people ever born has. How do we figure out what the best way of applying ourselves is? Is it grad school, or startups? If it's teaching inner city high school, why not rural India?
