Jack__Wild

My wife and I are just starting backcountry camping/hiking.

Aside from the basics you can look up and learn online. Is there anything specifically that you recommend we learn/bring/become skilled at as a beginner?

I have yet to sit for my first interview. Can you point me to a resource or article that you would consider typical of the interviewing process?

What are your suggestions for focusing on improving my quality of life?

I work from home as a Software Developer - it's my first job in this career field and I've only been doing it for about a month. I'm doing great at it and I think I'll be with this company a very long time.

However, the road to get here took a massive toll on me physically, spiritually, mentally, and financially.

I started some classes when my daughters were 4 & 5 (they're 6 & 7 now). I worked 12-16 hours/day 5-6 days/week in a shitty restaurant management job for years before I got the SWD job (I'm 31 btw). Eventually I had to stop college and learn on my own, using resources online, due to time constraints (working).

I'm physically unhealthy. Stress headaches every day + sitting in a chair all day + just now starting to sleep 8 hours/night after years of barely sleeping.

Because I could barely provide for my family, I did not have the money to get any work done on my teeth. From neglect and smoking cigarettes (which I've quit for quite some time now), my teeth are broken, with exposed nerves, etc. The point is it's constant pain for me.

At the same time, I have no friends. The drive to jump into software development took everything I had left and I did not have time to enjoy the company of others or to develop any joyful hobbies.

Financially I'm devastated. It's going to take me at least a year before we will start feeling any effects of this newfound income because I will be paying off debts and putting money toward regular maintenance stuff (like my car that's on it's last leg).

My mental health has suffered. There were times where depression would take over and leave me barely breathing for months. I have a mental breakdown at one point and ended up in a hospital for about a week.

I never gave up. My daughters needed a better life and I have finally opened the door into that life.

With that being said... here is my question:

I'm very ready to start getting better mentally, physically, etc.. all of it. I've done what I had to do for my children and the hard part is over now. It's my time to get better and I don't know where to begin.

Of course I would not ask you to give any advice/opinions on any health related issues (doctor stuff, etc.), but as far as mentally. I could use some direction... I feel like a shell of a person and I don't know where to begin.

Edit: I had been working that kind of schedule since they were born.