A depressing game development year | 2024

[@JC-jz6rx]

as a consumer, im just straight up broke right now. writing this comment out as i go through the video. Depression sucks. wishing you a better 2025

[@DavidReidChannel]

It's tough to watch your parents fail. To lose a parent, watch another suffer from dementia whilst being responsible for keeping your business running has got to be tough. We’re all rooting for you my friend. Thanks for sharing what was clearly a tough video to make.

[@lastsipahi]

It's been almost 2 years without a game dev job and I really understand what you are going through. Now I have all time in the world but not the energy to make my dream games comes to life. I hope 2025 would be better for all of us.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

I've been looking for a competent, professional designer & developer for 4+ years. Paid work. If you're interested to learn more, I'm certain that you can find my website and email. If not, good luck to you in 2025! 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨

[@andrew.r.lukasik]

Dude you need to see a psychiatrist asap. After >3x more years of similar fate like yours I finally discovered it's Adhd causing me to spiral into problems with everything (low mood, low productivity etc) - you don't want to suffer this long, trust me.

[@lastsipahi]

@@andrew.r.lukasik Will do, thanks.

[@GinsengNative]

Hocam sektör duzelmedimi daha ?

[@lastsipahi]

@@GinsengNative Düzelmeden kasıt pandemi zamanındaki hormonlu büyüme ise, hayır. Sanırım bir daha o tarz bir bolluk yaşamayacağız uzun süre. 100k üzerinde insan işsiz kaldı bu sektörde. Şimdilerde hafif hafif kıpırtılar var ama genel olarak büyükler bekleme durumundalar. Savaş, ABD seçimleri, Trump'ın Çin ile olan savaşı derken yatırımcılar şimdiden ürkmüş durumdalar. 2025'de durgun geçecek gibi duruyor.

[@captainnoyaux]

Losing close relatives is really hard, stay strong

[@jichengde5545]

I gotta be honest, I never bought any game you made. But I regularly watch your video. You are a gamedev hero to me, and I want to be a fulltime indie game developer in the future, with enough courage like you. I too experenced depression earlier this year, very touch time. I'm glad you're better now, hope you keep it up. A much better 2025 is waiting for you, good luck!

[@beardyluke]

Sorry to hear about your mother and father. I know that. My mum passed away last year and I can’t get since that day to do some proper work on my projects… I lost that drive… But I hope next year will be better…

[@markoates9057]

Your mum would probably love to see you work on projects again :)

[@bayonetwork7776]

Thank you for your honesty. I am glad to see you are pressing on. Never give up!

[@tinyBigGAMES]

Ah, depression. It took me a long time to even say the word out loud. But one day, I finally admitted it to myself: I’m depressed. It's something I constantly deal with, too. Somehow, we have to find the strength to keep pushing through, even when it feels impossible. There are times when my strength feels like it's slipping away, and I fall into a funk that can last days or even weeks, leaving me completely out of sync with everything. Sigh. But no matter how tough it gets, I keep fighting, pushing, and eventually finding my way back. I noticed you mention focusing on the now and leaving tomorrow behind, here I something I wrote a few years ago, which help me to push through: "Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is not yet written. NOW is what we know. Live in the moment and make the very best of NOW! For we cannot see past what we don't understand... to gain understanding is to know where we have come from (yesterday), and this understanding allows us to create a new path for the future (tomorrow). Making the very best of NOW helps us gain wisdom, enabling us to make better choices for tomorrow. Stand tall and proud in your NOW. Be content in the tests and trials you may be going through, for they too shall pass. Every moment of your NOW allows you to make a choice. Let every moment of your NOW have purpose so that it may lead you into a fulfilling tomorrow." Hang in there bro!

[@JCD-lb5mg]

Hey man I'm an aspiring game developer and have bought half of your game catalog on Google play and plan on buying the rest as they are great games and I want to support. Keep pushing ahead sir.

[@Ironroc]

Much love from this game dev. Fighting through depression is an ongoing battle that isn't easy at all. You've been an inspiration for so many of us, don't forget that! May 2025 treat you better.

[@randomrandom450]

"been a game developper for 20 years... but also nobody else care" I really relate to that, I've been a gamedev for 20 years now, part AAA, part indie in a studio... that just shut down. I've been making some solodev on the side and I generally try to avoid saying I'm an experienced gamedev cause I want to be judged as harshly as others, cause that's what gamers will do, that's what players will do. They really don't care who made the game, they only care if it's good. Trying to leverage my experience will only shield me from valid criticism and since I started will solodev stuff, I learned A LOT and lot of it came from taking a humility pill and accepting the criticism of people with a fraction of the experience I have. Ultimately, making good games is the only thing that matters.

[@VirtualFunction]

Thank you so much for having the courage to be honest with us. If you've really being doing this on your own for 20 years then you've gone so much farther than the majority that words don't really do it justice. Try and take it one step at a time, we're here.

[@Lakiii]

I can't even imagine how hard all of this must have been for you. I wish you and your family good health. Stay strong Pascal, you will always have our support!

[@Fishlicka]

I watch your videos for your positivity, integrity, and the valuable information you share as a game dev who's really out there in the weeds. I think it's incredible what you are building and it's an inspiration to me. All I can say is keep going. I think you are going to be doing really well in the coming years. Sorry for your loss.

[@DevEnabled]

Hey, I've been quietly watching your videos for a while but felt the urge to speak up now. Well done on mustering the strength to talk about this. I've had a very similar year. Struggling against a lot but unlike you I just completely stopped creating or releasing anything for several months. Just to say you're not struggling alone. It sounds like you have this and things can start looking up in the new year!!

[@kinsondigital]

Sorry to hear about your parents. My mother-in-law has dementia as well. It has been challenging for my wife for the past 2 to 3 years. Praying for a better year for you. You got this!! Bad times never last forever.

[@cubesc5638]

One of biggest challenges this year being an indie game dev was burnout. From burnout comes depression and completely paralyzes you. 😢

[@TheBenhazard]

I was 27 when I had a anxiety crisis, in part due to my own irresponsabilities and others of regret, decided to accept a offer in the indie industry. yes, it's really hard but its a struggle that is worth it. for the next year things will be in order (but nothing great unless some amogus/balatro luck) but 2026 is unknow. I decided to avoid the one man army path and invest time in developing myself while doing assets for my studio, but I cant say for others what is their experience and struggle. I'm still new in this great, yet very harsh experience. sorry for my bad english. regards, Edson

[@TheDjnatronic]

Everyone is going through tough times, thank you for the honesty

[@corvus-astralis]

Thanks for the unfiltered and open-hearted talk Pascal. Wishing you and the studio all the best in 2025, may it be a great year! Stay strong mate, never give up, never give in. Whatever happens in our life, we're on the profit side, no matter how hard it might be for us to see that at some points. As long as we have health, we never know what tomorrow may bring. Life is a precious blessing... PS: No matter who cares or not. 20 F***ING YEARS as a gamedev is an insane achievement only a lucky few get to experience, specially indie... So congratulations on this anniversary!

[@thetuningroom]

Appreciate the honesty. It’s been a rough few years for a lot of people, but best thing for yourself and everyone around you is to push forward. I’m not 100% there, but I’m working at it. Cheers man!

[@thenamelessdev]

Bummer about your mental state, I suffered from depression and unrelatedly changed my diet and it had a huge impact on my mental health, basically lifting all major depression despite the still sad things going on. Best of luck on your continued success!

[@Lathanoboy]

Sad to hear you struggled with depression, good luck to you and your family. I want to be a full-time gamedev like you one day. So in a way, you already won at life. Keep that in mind.

[@glaikunt1225]

The things you've done while feeling so low is still really impressive, it's easy to let everything go in that mindset. I hope 2025 is a better year for you and your family

[@MikeHart66]

Pascal, thank you for sharing your feelings, your life and struggle. So many people struggle and on the bottom line it is what we call life. With all its ups and downs. Try to keep going. You still created something and I believe things will get better... for all of us. Personally I am also struggle, have no creativity left in me because I got burnout in my day job. I hope 2025 will be better. For all of us.

[@dinokknd]

Pascal. Hopelijk is 2025 beter, en kan je de energie vinden om vooruit te kijken. Depressie is een lastig onderwerp, en kan heel snel alle kleur uit het leven halen. Op een beter jaar.

[@theartworkhub]

I’m not the best with words, but I want to share this from the heart. Each of us faces battles-whether physical, mental, or spiritual. It’s easy to hear phrases like “hold on” or “never give up,” but they can feel hard to follow. Because of your videos, insights, and wisdom, I’ve been able to put food on my family’s table despite living in a country with a struggling economy. You’ve inspired me deeply and taught me so much. While I may not fully understand what you’re going through, please know this: we’re here for you, supporting you in whatever way we can.

[@HarmanMotorWorks]

Depression is a really tough one indeed. Sorry to hear about your troubles. I'm only very much a 'hobbyist' working on my current game project, but I could imagine how much weight it would be on your shoulders when it's your main source of income to support yourself and your family. All the best

[@briandecker8403]

Valve released the end of year numbers for 2024 and it's just brutal - over 18k games were released on Steam in 2024 alone, bringing the total Steam library to over 100k games. Of all of those games, only 15% of player time was spent on games that released in 2024. As an indie or small dev it's nearly impossible to stand out.

[@zynga726]

I wonder if people don't usually buy games on release. I wait years until they come down in price. I'm still waiting for Lamplighters League and Capes to come down in price.

[@FireF1y644]

@@zynga726 Nope, most graphs show exponential decline after the first 7 days since release.

[@JD-vj4go]

There's just too many games. I can't keep up. I don't have the time or energy to play half the games I already have.

[@zynga726]

18k games is a lot of games. How do we even look at all of those games to see which are good? I hope AI can help on some way evaluate or rank them so the gems can rise above the rest. I wonder if we are playing the best games from those 18k or just the best marketed.

[@simonairey8982]

Thank you for sharing your struggles. It really helps people in similar situations. I usually wait for sales but I will be buying gauntlet of power and ashworld day 1 on switch. I hope 2025 is brighter for you.

[@CubeDeveloper_Games]

keep going man, I started my game development journey properly onpy about a year ago, and I already gave up on the first game because I didn't like it anymore and I felt like a fraud, I have been making little games for more than a decade, and I know what I'm capable of doing but sometimes you just seem to lose all reason. Now I'm doing better, I'm working on a game I'm very passionate about, my brother is helping me out with design, animation and music and I'm putting a bit of my soul into the story of the game, and that's enough to make me keep going. Keep ypur head up, depression is really a bitch, we just need to be consistent with our projects, try to keeo the scope of the games in check, keep our mental and physical health up, eat plenty and sleep enough. I hope the next year will be a lot better for you and me both, let's keep going and dream on

[@rogerwinright2290]

Your perseverance and honesty is admirable! I'm sorry to hear the market has been taking a nosedive but I'm still extremely excited for Regulator City! I hope that 2025 brings you health and better fortune than you've had in previous years. All the best to you!

[@MysticRiverGames]

wish you a better 2025, things get rough sometimes, and gamedev is quite hard, so many studios are feeling the same pain, it looks like no one have the money to buy even the basic things, and I think mobile is slowly losing the ground now, since not many are buying those cosmetic things, too much supply, too little time to play it all. Hopefully things will get better next year! losing someone you love is hard, wherever they go, wish we meet again someday, just try to remember the good times and you will get a good smile, I know since I lost someone too, life is short so do not waste your time being sad and enjoy the ride and all those things that make you happy.

[@drillerdev4624]

Really sorry for your loss You're a long distance runner in the industry. You've seen many ups and downs, and have what it takes to push through

[@romulino]

Be strong Pascal, as someone who have struggled with depression for over two decades I can tell you despite it really never looking like it will get better, it definitely does. Seek scientific evidence based psychotherapy treatment, it will definitely help. They have very good professionals that are willing to help, it really makes a difference. Also, try to be be nice gentle to yourself, you've been through a lot and it's totally acceptable to not perform to any pre-existing standards. Just be yourself, try to get help, and give yourself time to heal. Time does wonders too. Thanks for the openness, next year will be much better!

[@mandisaw]

First - We care about you dude!! Even that weird guy in the back row 💜 Could tell things seemed to be off, but only so much one can say from the other side of the screen. Definitely glad you're finding your way through - grief is non-linear, and depression can really F up your life, really good you've got Aline & support-structures (even folks who've left game-dev are still good support & sounding boards). Thanks for sharing, I'm sure it seriously helps some folks. Second, games as a whole - big & small - are flat right now, really down vs inflation (Newzoo & GamesIndustry just dropped some 2024 In Review numbers). Layoffs and lack of investment have spread out to the non-production sectors too, incl games media, localization, support studios, etc. Even if you'd had a banner year in terms of releases, it's questionable whether that productivity would've paid off fully in this environment. Your games should do better in 2025 if we see a "rising tide raises all boats" scenario, esp if new games & the new Switch end up being hot. But marketing is probably gonna be a huge challenge for all of us - premium mobile still has legs, but everything needs more ad-spend than before, and people just aren't watching ads like before :( Personally, I have too many ups & downs in my life to be able to go all-in on games like you have. There are months where I just have to focus on family, or on my health, and can't afford to not have money reliably coming in. Having a pension waiting also helps me sleep at night... It's really admirable that you've kept the company surviving & thriving for 20yrs - even if the form of it changes a bit, here's hoping you find a sustainable path for 2025 and beyond :)

[@ManyFishGames]

Thanks for the transparency. I think its all very relatable for sure. Challenges may be tough, but every small step forward counts. Remember, there's always hope and resilience within you, even when it feels hard to find. Blessings!

[@OandCoGames]

Dude 20 years as a full-time game dev, congratulations! That's a huge milestone. I'm sorry to hear the numbers didn't line up for you this year. Stacking onto that the troubles you've had to face. Talk about being resilient and strong. Here's to a powerful 2025!

[@NickCoyour]

I relate so much to your journey. I've honestly enjoyed your dev channel the most out of anyone. It's inspired me to maybe talk about my depression as well on my dev channel. I hope by the end of 2025 I'm well on my way to making tames full time, but depression has really been holding me back

[@MarlinVerhulst1]

Sorry to hear about your struggles... i really wish you and your family all the best for 2025!

[@nickidebruyn]

You are one of my main inspirations to continue game development, even if it is only as a hobby. Thanks for your honesty.

[@TheBurriagas]

Beterschap Pascal. I am also a gamedev affected by layoffs. Hope 2025 can bring a bit more light into making games which now seems impossible in any area.

[@philbennett6032]

When things are tough, sail your ships through the storm. I understand this. Calmer waters will come. Onwards and upwards sir

[@dvkly]

Thanks for everything that you do, Pascal - you're a big inspiration for me and many others. Wishing you all the best for 2025!

[@SleepStoriesByEli]

Sorry to hear that you've gone through, and are going through, the hardships you mentioned. My best wishes to you and your family. Headed to your steam page to check out your games now! I hope 2025 treats you better! ⭐

[@veryeld]

Hoping for the best for you and OP for 2025, thanks for being open about what this year has been for you!

[@ffxivguild-mahiko-san]

First time ive watched any of your videos. Ill pray for you man. As someone who wants to game dev in the future, i wish the industry normalizes

[@plasticcowgames6415]

A very honest and I imagine difficult video to make. I'm sorry for your loss and personal struggles that have took a toll this year. As others have said, thanks for your honesty and know you are not alone buddy and there's many of us rooting for you and if you ever want to chat you can hit me up anytime.

[@davidholender6855]

Pascal, thank you for all that you do. I have been where you have been (exactly the same situation with my parents), so I can relate. I wish you and your family all the best for the future and thank you once again.

[@LostRoaming]

Thank you for the video, Pascal. Always glad to see when you drop a new video. You're through the tough part and you're blessed with excellent technical and artistic skills and creativity. You made it through 2024, that's been an achievement for all of us. Let's hope things start looking up. 🙂

[@MostafaNassar]

I hope next year treats you well, glad you took time off and read many books to understand what you are going through. We all go through some dark times and I am glad you are doing something about it. I have a feeling 2025 is gonna be your year !

[@user-uq2ko4jq2v]

Stay strong. We all are going through tough times in one way or another. Life is about up and down. You'll be on the up soon enough. 💪

[@AndreaDoimo]

Stay strong, I hope the best for you and anyone that had a bad year.

[@semihyldz3261]

I’m following you from Turkey, and this is my first comment. I hope the new year brings you health, happiness, and peace.

[@takashy87]

Hang in there. Hope things are getter better for you and that 2025 will be way better than this year :)

[@FullMoonGame]

I always watch your videos with great interest. Wish you all the best in 2025

[@Raidea]

Thank you for sharing your story, it's very brave.

[@dlab79]

Sorry to hear about your tough year. You make a lot of great games that are really fun, and your videos are very inspirational. Really looking forward to what you have coming in 2025 (Android version of Gauntlet of Power, Regulators, and the new Space Grunts). Wishing you the best in 2025!

[@MrVillegas01]

Thank you for sharing, It takes courage. You are very inspiring. Quite astonishing that you actually could keep the whole thing afloat given the family context. Well done! And hoping you have a good 2025.

[@deserialized]

Congratulations on 20 years. Really strong as a single developer. I am just starting out since a couple of months and develop two games at the same time. I will see how it goes but I think it will be a loss in the end - but my goal was to "make a dent in the universe" which I think I will succeed with! About depression it is really frustrating how economy affects us.

[@Mekkablood]

Hope things turn around for you man. I feel you the start of this year was pretty rough for me, and last year was horrific. Just try to find happiness in everyday and know when to walk away when things get too rough. Being out in nature has helped me a lot.

[@Studio_VDS]

Thanks for sharing. I hope 2025 is going to be a better year, for both of us. Looking foreward to reg city and spacegrunts 3. It sounds like you’ve made the right decisions. Keep it up!

[@zynga726]

Sorry for your loss. Stay strong.

[@JeroenDerwort]

Thanks for the insights & honesty. It has been a rough year for small game developers, that's for sure. Hope next year will be much better!

[@nerdvision8031]

as a long follower i wish you the best to overcome depression. I know the feeling when you can't push yourself for a longer period to do stuff you need to do. It feels sometimes like a invisible barrier. But depression is also a number harder. Vacation is a good idea to start but also in germany you can go to some kind of therapy that helps peoples (i know some in my family who have/had depression). I wish you the very best personally and also for gamedev income for 2025 :).

[@HoneyDoHomestead]

If you need to put out more games I'd suggest making twists with your existing technology. You have an engine for a top down dungeon crawler. Maybe make a sort of "vampire survivors" with your engine - procedurally generated dungeons with auto-attack. Or a "speed run" dungeon crawler, where you need to collect items from the dungeon but the time matters. You'll make more money with faster times, etc. Just find ways to not re-invent yourself and just put out the games.. I'm sorry for your loss, and I do hope you keep fighting. Best of luck.

[@jeromeswanson9570]

Geez dude, stay strong!

[@WhyKev]

As always I appreciate this transparency. I'm sorry to hear all the things you've gone through. I also had a rough year (at least the first half), you know you can always reach out privately if you need to just talk with someone. Glad to hear your partner was there for you and you had Gauntlet of Power where you felt motivated.

[@jackredrum3840]

Thank you for sharing! Keep going, you are a great developer! I wish you all the best for the 2025! Stay strong!

[@Gendgi]

Thank you for the video

[@kh4iron]

Hey Pascal, thanks for sharing all of this. The mental health is health too and everyone can go through a rough patch. My mother has a dpression and I was in a really bad place when my game dev business has been falling apart. I hope you get through the end of the year and I wish you to get better in the next year! Keeping fingers crossed for you!

[@anthonyapm]

Take care man!

[@KeepsieX]

Wishing you a fantastic 2025

[@senor7857]

Stay strong Pascal!! 2025 will be better, for sure!!

[@hadriendelphin7655]

wish you the best for the next year Pascal. It's not that much, but I just took your full bundle on Steam. Keep faith, your games are good and deserve to be played !!

[@KoN312]

Hey Pascal.. Life is a rollercoaster. goes up and down.. as long as you enjoy 'your' ride everything is fine. You make good games and the games end up how you want them to be. Your foot on the gas and break pedal... life will never get boring and the coaster goes on as long ypu like! what i always think is eyy there are people existing that have a lot more struggle in their life than me and i wish them everything good. I wish you a good and relaxing next year!

[@SPG-Code]

I hope you have a great new year mate 👍 still my favourite (and only) indie game channel I watch

[@SargoniusGames]

Wishing you the best. Good luck in 2025.

[@a6gittiworld]

Wish u the best! Hopefully next year will be a great year 🤌🏼🤌🏼

[@sulimanthemagnificent4893]

Another game dev said this year was great for gaming. Great in that, much of the rot of the AAA space is becoming readily apparent, so perhaps they’ll clean up their act in order to stay afloat.

[@WackyToaster]

Funny enough, artists/creatives of all kinds have statistically higher likelyhood of depression and other mental disorders. Depression and headaches are my default state. We all are gonna make it in the end, just keep going!

[@kiethconner1526]

As a lapsed gamedev starting in the mid90s, your 20 years DOES matter, and is appreciated, as is your channel. Here's to a better 2025 :)

[@collinvisser7108]

Thank you for sharing - you rock !!!!

[@liorbeaugendre6935]

That was a very informative video. I hope it gets better for you, keep up the good work!

[@Mk2kRaven]

My new years resolution is to make games. I will be making a very small anime hand drawn game and will aim to finish it in 3 months, in March. 1 month for art, 1 month to programming, and 1 month to polish and everything else. What I am gonna do almost every day, is 2 hours of art, 2 hours of programming, and 1 hour of whatever else like making music or importing sounds or posting youtube devlogs, etc. I have a full-time 40 hour a week job, but I have plenty of time since I am not married and have no kids. I will however play video games with my younger sibling from time to time and watch some anime, but 80-90% of my free time will be for game development. My business will be making mostly anime styled games. I did have a game dev business before that lasted about 4-5 years, and it was successful, but it wasn't the type of games I wanted to make (visual novels with small game mechanics), and so it became dreadful to work on. I do not wish to share what games or the business name because it isn't games I am proud to have made. I made those games purely for the money since I at the time, really needed the money. This time, things will be different. I know exactly what games I want to make. Will take it slow and make small 3 month length games (I know how hard it can be to finish a game, even harder if the game is big, I have experience), and then eventually make an isekai life simulation dating sim with dungeon crawling elements (warrior, mage, etc). Got tons of ideas for games never made before, can't wait.

[@emoneytrain]

Thanks for your honesty

[@Tbjbu2]

This year I quit game development cuz nobody buys games anymore, then I made $320K in crypto, then I lost $320K in crypto Saying it was a depressing year is an understatement And thanks for sharing how it's going for you, as hard as it might be.

[@KWART_O_MANIA]

"This year I quit game development cuz nobody buys games anymore, " Ah that's a bummer. "then I made $320K in crypto," Alright mate! "then I lost $320K in crypto" ... :(

[@Multimedia_Artist]

Towards new successes in the new year! No giving up! 👍

[@paranormalgamesstudios]

Its a hard business man I too am going it alone and its a struggle trying to do it and deal with life things. Try to have fun with it and keep going. All the best!

[@RealPeoplePerson]

I had difficulty focusing my mind as I was coming out of burnout and depression last year. To improve this, I did something called Attention Training Technique. Essentially, you listening to a soundscape and change your focus from one sound to another every 5 to 20 seconds. It was quite the workout, wrestling my mind to stay on one thing. Hard to say how well it works; there are some studies supporting it. I followed the training videos from the channel Afternoon Break.

[@TYNEPUNK]

keep going my friend, one big upside is having regulator city ready to roll out.

[@Teabone3]

Sorry for your loss

[@duncanharris-l1b]

Perfectly normal to feel the way you have been due to grief and the stresses of life, pulling away from people and work to give yourself time to heal. Try and refocus in 2025 on what is important to you. You have no control over the games industry so don't worry about that. Work on more innovative games when you can. Derivitive games only receive derivitive sales.

[@MxzStudio]

6:30 We understand that dont worry We understand that friend. We love you it hard time.

[@RobLang]

Bravo, Pascal, for an exceptionally brave video that must have been hard to record and edit. I hope it can be part of the healing process for you. Another factor (linked with investment being expensive) is that the market shrank with the cost of living crisis in the US and Europe (I expect those are your largest markets). Luxuries are the first thing that people stop spending on and games are a luxury - especially as people can play the same game for 14 years (I'm looking at you, Minecraft). Best of luck in 2025, I'll certainly be following along!

[@user-dd9is6iy9m]

Thanks for your honesty

[@robertbeever4833]

It is brave of you to say these things, and I hope 2025 gets better. I'll undoubtedly buy Regulator City to add to the thousands of others.

[@ntandotshongweni5240]

Wishing you a better year

[@not_importan]

God bless, wish your family a better 2025 take care of yourselves

[@progi99]

Good things always come after bad things, don't you dare give up.