Lost

[Anxy]

I feel really lost. There's tons of things I could do with my life, but they bore me. I'm not interested in anything. Things that were always fun to me aren't enjoyable anymore. If someone asks what I like doing, I won't know what to answer. Please help me, it's a serious problem.

 

[Froggy246]

Hi, I don't know, maybe it's a phase that will pass, I've been in those phases before. My problem at the moment is that I have a few things that interest me but I have zero motivation to pursue them.
It's one of the symptoms of depression isn't it as well? So maybe it would an idea to have a chat with a doctor if it lasts a long time, especially if there are other symptoms.
For now I'm thinking perhaps say f*** it to how you're suppose to feel, just indulge your senses, treat yourself, eat nice food, listen to some good music, take yourself on some little excursions, ideally to places you've never been before, even if you feel like you are not fully participating, you can enjoy observing and maybe find some new inspiration in the process...

 

[Steiner]

I have the same problem. I feel the same way when I am asked what I like doing along with also being asked what I am doing with my life. I got nothing to say when I am asked questions about my life.

 

[Feathers]

I feel lost too. I still enjoy some things, and have to get myself out for a walk once a day - to feel better: I highly recommend the same. Just drag yourself for a walk even if you think you might not enjoy it. At least when you come back you'll be more energized. Someone we know cured her depression with walks, her daughter had to drag her though.

Also, limit computer time: 5 hours or more can cause depression, among other problems. There was a study about it in Japan.

Are you seeing a therapist or a support group or something like that?

Hope things get better! Report if anything improves!

 

[Anxy]

I highly recommend the same. At least when you come back you'll be more energized.

Sorry to say, that's definitely not me. I am always more tired after a walk. I used to walk around fairly often, but I stopped.

Also, limit computer time: 5 hours or more can cause depression, among other problems. There was a study about it in Japan.

Oh, wow. Didn't know that. I might want to give it a shot, but it'd be hard considering I got into a new game and I paid monthly fee already for it, so it'd be a waste of money if I'd just leave it like that. But I'll try to do something about it.

Are you seeing a therapist or a support group or something like that?

Nope.

 

[Kiwong]

I like to run, the good thing the is I feel too tired to be worried about being anxious and depressed.

 

[surewhynot]

That's why you should avoid subscription-based games: feeling the need to play a game to make sure that your investment was "worth it" is pretty unhealthy. Playing should not feel like a job.

If you enjoy video games maybe you can learn programming, that's what I'm doing haha.

 

[DepravedFurball]

I felt the same way two years ago... extremely apathetic... then I started to write.

Some 800 days later, I've quit writing, and I'm back to the same point as to where I started.

So I've got no advice... but if you find an answer that appeals to you, lemme know. >.<

 

[S_Spartan]

I feel really lost. There's tons of things I could do with my life, but they bore me. I'm not interested in anything. Things that were always fun to me aren't enjoyable anymore. If someone asks what I like doing, I won't know what to answer. Please help me, it's a serious problem.

Yes! I experience this everyday. It is VERY hard to get people to understand what you are experiencing. For me it is not something that has been curable with exercise. Trust me, I do that often and intensely for my age. It does help WHILE I am exercising but I go right back afterward.
I also don't think it's depression because I have experienced ALOT of that in the past and when I was depressed I actually cared about things. That is why I was depressed, because I cared.
But, yes, I am totally bored. I can think of nothing that would bring me any real joy. I also go through the motions of being interested in things but deep down I am not.
I refer to this as my "Dark Night of the Soul." Google that and you will see people talking about the same kinds of things. TDNOTS is almost like the death of the ego. It's a very strange and painful experience.

 

[Pacific_Loner]

Also, limit computer time: 5 hours or more can cause depression, among other problems. There was a study about it in Japan.
!

I also think computer is one of the major cause of boredom, at least from my experience. When you spend too much time on it, it seems you don't remember what you're supposed to do with yourself anymore once you shut it down.

 

[DepravedFurball]

I also think computer is one of the major cause of boredom, at least from my experience. When you spend too much time on it, it seems you don't remember what you're supposed to do with yourself anymore once you shut it down.

Or you just don't care enough to actually get up and do anything that might be constructive.

It's easier to keep wallowing instead of picking yourself up and cleaning yourself off...

 

[Flanscho]

Most things become more interesting the more you know about them.

Example:
My father is very into collecting stamps. If I'd be also like that, whenever he tells me about it, I'd be like "woah, is that a XYZ stamp from thatandthat year with the thatandthat printing error? Awesome!". But I don't know much about stamps, so they don't really interest me.

To get interested in certain subjects you have to acquire a certain knowledge about it. So if you are interested in nothing at all, pick some random subject, acquire some knowledge, and the interest will come.

 

[jaim38]

^Interesting. I thought it's normally the other way around - you become interested in something before acquiring more knowledge about it.

 

[Anxy]

That's why you should avoid subscription-based games: feeling the need to play a game to make sure that your investment was "worth it" is pretty unhealthy. Playing should not feel like a job.

If you enjoy video games maybe you can learn programming, that's what I'm doing haha.

It surely is xD But nah, I really am enjoying the game.

No, thanks. I would abandon my project after a while, I'm sure. It takes a lot of patience. Also, I don't see myself as a programmer in the future

I also think computer is one of the major cause of boredom, at least from my experience. When you spend too much time on it, it seems you don't remember what you're supposed to do with yourself anymore once you shut it down.

How so? Internet gives me a lot of stuff to do, it's almost never boring. But maybe you're right. I still don't know what to do.

Most things become more interesting the more you know about them.
To get interested in certain subjects you have to acquire a certain knowledge about it. So if you are interested in nothing at all, pick some random subject, acquire some knowledge, and the interest will come.

Did that. Got bored after a while. I'm this type of person who changes their interests very quickly.

 

[Ithior]

Did that. Got bored after a while. I'm this type of person who changes their interests very quickly.

Maybe you need to keep trying until you find something that doesn't bore you. Can't say that for sure though, I'm kinda like you. I don't try new things very often but when I do I get bored after a while. My most recent examples of this are papercrafting, drawing, learning japanese and coding.

 

[S_Spartan]

How so? Internet gives me a lot of stuff to do, it's almost never boring.

The internet bores me terribly.

 

[Pacific_Loner]

How so? Internet gives me a lot of stuff to do, it's almost never boring. But maybe you're right. I still don't know what to do.

I'm sure not everyone react the same to the computer, and I'm not really good to express myself, but here's me attempting to expose my theory anyway:

You might feel like you're entertained while you're on the computer (playing games or whatever), I guess that's why we can spend all day on internet or playing games and wonder where the hours flew by at nightfall. However, I think it's safe to say that most of the time we're not doing anything relevant there. Also, staring at a screen all day is very tiresome and I'm pretty sure it makes your brain foggy, so at the end of the day when you leave the computer you feel energy-less. Finally, your muscles are probably atrophiated due to stillness, and I'm pretty sure all this makes you too tired to eat healthy as well.

I think that, to be able to be interested in something, you need energy, and without it, nothing that requires some spark from your side will catch your attention, and you will be bored.

 

[Still_Waters]

I am very glad for this thread since I've been wanting to talk to people who understand about this great level of sorrow and apathy I've been feeling. I too spend countless hours on the internet and in the wee hours of the night I will be amazed by where all the time has gone. It makes me want to cry because this is valuable time wasted but what else am I to do since with my extreme social phobia, going out is a pain. Having people stare at me is a pain and it is much easier to talk to people behind a screen where they can't judge me or make me feel like I'm wrong in any way or inferior. Also I am new hear and very sensitive and I hope for nothing but understanding from everyone else around here since I tend to retreat quickly once so much as nibbled at. I'm 24 and it's like where has all of my life gone. Also, where is it going and will I be happy with it. I've just graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology and I'm still working less than 10 hours per week at a job that requires me to clean most of the time. I want to work with disabled children but I'm just awaiting the reply back when they finally decide to call me. Job searches are a drag and I end up not going to most of the job interviews because I chicken out on having to be a cashier and interacting with mean customers. I've gotten a few call back from Subway but the fast paced environment intimidates me. Disabled children aren't intimidating so I am okay with working with them. I understand me not getting many calls back from such fields since I basically only have one job as a reference. Sorry for this tl;dr post it's just that when you bottle things up for so long it feels so good to let it out.

 

[Anxy]

The internet bores me terribly.

Well, but it's you, not me. At least you're not addicted, and that's good!

so at the end of the day when you leave the computer you feel energy-less.

You may not believe me then, but I actually feel more energized when I spend time on my PC When I stay up late it even makes going to sleep a lot harder, which, eh, isn't a good thing.

I think that, to be able to be interested in something, you need energy, and without it, nothing that requires some spark from your side will catch your attention, and you will be bored.

True. Maybe I should do something with myself to make myself more of an active person, not just sitting in front of my PC all day. Heh... wow, my life's worthless.

I too spend countless hours on the internet and in the wee hours of the night I will be amazed by where all the time has gone. It makes me want to cry because this is valuable time wasted but what else am I to do since with my extreme social phobia, going out is a pain.

Ahh, so true. I hate the feeling that I know there's so much things for me to do, but no, I'll be just on the Internet all day.

 

[Feathers]

Here's the article about the study they did in Japan: Why using a computer can cause depression | Mail Online
Anxiety and sleep problems have been reported too, yup!

At least if you're behind the computer a lot, have breaks, go for a walk (or at least around the house), dance, exercise (at least stretch a bit), drink some water/herbal tea... Back and neck problems or eg scoliosis etc can appear or get worse otherwise too... (personal experience too!)

So, even if it isn't easy, consider your health... Internet does make me feel energized too, if I'm researching or reading something interesting, but I try to minimize my time online now, and add breaks.. Turn it off earlier these days too, my mind needs at least an hour to 'turn off' and go into 'sleep mode'...

Anxy, if you go through interests quickly, consider you might be what Barbara Sher calls a 'scanner' (people who constantly scan the horizon for something new or have strong multiple interests, sequential or paralell) There's a book about it, Refuse to Choose, there are Barbara Sher forums too, and there's another site Puttylike.com where people with multipotentiality hang out.

You said you love being behind the computer, so your lfe isn't worthless, you just showed you love doing certain things a bit, err, too much... Maybe some of it could be channelled into a career prospect too? (If that's what you were talking about?)