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Something’s not right

No motivation

No motivation

I don’t understand how people do it. No matter how much I try I can’t seem to find a hobby or passion to keep me alive. I dropped out of high school, and I’ve been unemployed since. I don’t want to do anything with my life but I’m too much of a coward to leave the earth.. I’m like a zombie who’s just burdening my family and everyone around me. My cousins are graduates, already have their Ls, some even have their full license, and some have already moved out of their parents homes. When I think about where I’ll be in the future i see myself being homeless. I don’t come from a financially stable home so everyday i watch my dad struggle to pay our rent, bills and to put food on the table. I am a useless being.

7 replies

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In response to: No motivation

Re: No motivation

Hi @LastAirBender

Welcome to the forums!

It certainly sounds like you're in a dark place, but I am glad to see that you've reached out for support and connection. Our forum members are always happy to share and support those going through dark time.

It's interesting that your opening line is about finding a passion to keep you going. I think you've really hit the nail on the head. Without a passion and drive, we most certainly dwindle and stray from the light.

As Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how".

Perhaps others would like to share their passions, that keep them moving forward?

In response to: No motivation

Re: No motivation

Hi @LastAirBender

I'm sorry to hear that life has felt so flat for you lately. Without a drive, or passion, it can really feel like 'why even?' It can't have been easy watching your parents struggle over the years, and watching others seem to just float forwards.

Being able to dream your own dreams, and learning the skills to achieve those dreams can take time. Have you considered working with someone to help you work with your mindset? Like a motivation coach? Or a counsellor? They might be able to help you discover your talents (I guarantee you have them) and what your motivations are. SANE have a great Support Line: 1800 187 263 (10AM - 8PM), if you feel like having a chat with someone.

I didn't get my license until I was in my 20's. I watched people around me struggle too, and also felt that 'why?' I think it's not always easy to push through the burden that people around us struggle with, and to find and then pursue our dreams. Hope is a funny thing. You need it. Belief then builds, along with opportunity. If you can find enthusiastic people to be around, you can learn from them, too. Maybe volunteer somewhere? Or join a gym? You won't necessarily have the same values, but you can see how their belief carries them, and that yours can too. Keep reaching out. Your value is not determined by the people around you, good or bad. You are still a beautiful mystery to yourself. Keep going on your adventure 💜

In response to: No motivation

Re: No motivation

Hi @LastAirBender, welcome to the group.

Some people know from very early on what they want to do and find things they like doing. Some of us take longer to figure these things out. I won't say how old I was when I left my parents house... it's embarrassing and depressing, lets just say it was a long time.

Sometimes we just find ourselves in a hole and can't find our way out and so we convince ourselves that we belong in this hole. It's never true but it becomes so hard to see a way out. So you've made a great start by reaching out and asking for advice. That also took me far too long. So you're not a 'useless being', just someone in a bit of a hold and struggling to find a way out. Someone who is brave and strong enough to put their hand up and say "I need some help".

The trick is we want to try to make these big changes all at once and try to fix everything right away. It mostly doesn't work that way. It can take time. Identify some of the things you most want to change, decide which ones seem like the best starting points and focus on them. Start making small changes. There may be backward steps along the way, but that's normal. Concentrate on the small wins, and bigger wins will come.

From what you've written, some things might be getting some driving lessons, even if it's just from family and/or friends. Looking at doing some study. Finding something you do enjoy doing... this may take a lot of exploration and experimenting. Is there anything, even small things, you have enjoyed or were interested in in the past?

There are free resources out there can could help you with these. Or even support groups like this one where you can get advice and ideas from. You sound like you're still young. There is plenty of time to sort this stuff out. I know it's hard but try not to compare yourself to others. Doing so wont help and will probably just make things harder.

I has a similar problem earlier in the year. I got so depressed, I lost all motivation to do anything at all. I already knew the things I enjoyed doing but couldn't find any motivation to do them at all. When we're in a bad mental state, motivation can be a massive issue! So even speaking to someone about this, like a crisis line as already suggested, may be a great help for you to start to try to find some direction. It may not take much before you start to feel some motivation starting to appear to drive you forward some more. But like I said, it may take a lot of small steps rather than a couple of large ones. It does take time so don't give up and you'll make it. We're here to listen and help however we can. Just keep letting us know how you're getting on.

In response to: No motivation

Re: No motivation

Hi @LastAirBender I remember feeling like you did once. I felt like I was falling behind everyone else. In the end I decided to work overseas, save some money and go backpacking for a little while. Things didn't get better for me, but I was able to make some decisions about work at the time. Hope this helps.

In response to: Re: No motivation

Re: No motivation

@Cleo2 @LastAirBender @MJG017 @8ppleTree @tacocat

Great responses everyone

Hi @LastAirBender

It's really tough having to pull your life together - you are not alone though. Many people have to start from scratch to make our lives work for us when everything is falling apart around us.

I had family problems - massive issues - and felt being a stay-at-home-mum when my kids were very young was not something I wanted - as much as I loved my children - I needed more.

So once the little one was at kinder a went back to school and got my HSC then studied at university and got an Honours Degree - it took me 12 years part time because of my family issues - and I had to work - and it was the best thing I did for myself in my life -

There are times when we need to put ourselves first - it's not selfish - if we look after ourselves - we can be there for other people - I think - I am sure - I was a better mother for my children because I had a life for myself.

This was decades ago now - many things have changed - but - you want to know how to start.

My suggestion is to start small with something that pleases you for your own sake. It might be something you have never thought about before or something you have thought about for a long time. I am sure taking the first step toward whatever it is is really hard

I wish you the best - there are more chances out there for new starts than there were decades ago when I stepped out and made changes in the face of a great deal of opposition.

I'm glad I did though - I am a senior citizen now and pretty pleased with how my life worked out after a bleak start. I do wish the same for you

All the best

Owlunar

In response to: No motivation

Re: No motivation

It's okay to be figuring things out 💛 there are a lot of big life questions that we might wish we could have answered already: what should I do for a career/work? What kind of person am I?

Part of the good bits in life might be trying things out and seeing what sticks. For me, I have tried many things in my work life and am *again* in the position of not knowing what's next. And honestly anyone who says they have it all figured out likely isn't being honest haha.

As a young person there is often a lot of pressure placed on you. Having some life experiences of any kind is a worthy endeavour. And nobody is an expert in telling you what to do with your time. Maybe your internal voice is a bit shy. Give them some time 😉

Hope this helps a little ☺️ It's a but stream of consciousness but maybe it makes some sense

In response to: Re: No motivation

Re: No motivation

@Cleo2 @LastAirBender @MJG017 @8ppleTree @tacocat ,

how are you going today , here for you if you like to have some company and have a chat

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