[bryanrasmussen]

I am not a very good person to say anything to these issues, but it will not be helpful for your spouse.

At 35 years of age you can learn and master new skill-sets, ones more AI proof. I basically learned to program at that age without any meaningful skills as I had spent my first 35 years of age working much less than it sounds like you have.

I think you are situationally depressed, which is something one can get out of with some bit of medication and help, so I think you should talk to someone.

If you have not worked hard in your life, but got a Masters degree, it sounds like you are intelligent. Intelligence can often get you through without working hard, but it's true at some point you need to sort of figure out what it is to be applied towards.

As an intelligent person who is somewhat lazy you probably like other people to provide some sort of impetus, this is also how it is for me in life, but now, without a job, and AI making it hard to get one you feel adrift and worthless. Aside from seeking help you might also consider trying to find some non-profit doing something you think is good and asking them if they need IT help in something you can find reasonable to do.

This will provide the ongoing cycle of tasks that you need to keep going, you would be doing something that might feel more relevant and useful than work you are used to, you would probably not be getting paid but if you are not getting paid now what does it matter and you might get something out of it anyway (potential job etc.)

Your situational depression sounds like you don't feel like it is worthwhile to keep going, because you have difficulty finding meaning in lots of things. This is also an example of relatively high intelligence, most things seem meaningless, it is necessary for you to use your mind to construct meaning.

But there are lots of professionals who can provide help on these issues. Also talk to your partner about it. They are your partner for a reason.