Completely lacking motivation

LegacyUser

Hi everyone... just wondering if anyone can help me out.

I never seem able to finish things.. I have no passions, no hobbies that I enjoy. I've been told im good at writing, but never wrote more than a few chapters... I've been told I'm good at painting, never finish a picture, good at photography, never go out taking photos... I've been given some work with advertising design from a family friend but havent bothered to start it for weeks.. I just never seem able to see anything through. I dont get a great enjoyment from doing anything, my mood never seems to change, just an overall feeling of frustration, but not enough to do anything about it. I can be distracted in company, but when alone I always feel so useless.

Through school and college I never studied, skipped lots of classes, but still managed to pass everything. I feel like I'm wasting myself, and could be so much better if somebody else had control.

I guess what I'm wondering, is there any way to snap myself out of this? To actually take control rather than just drifting along, as I've been doing my whole life? I know I could do something great if I could only put my mind to it and actually stick it out in the long term.

Anyway, thanks for reading.

Kevster

Do'nt ever give up hope my friend. There is something out there just for you that you can enjoy doing. Think back to your time in school - Which subject were you interested in? As I look back, Biology was my favourite, and that's the area that I'm now in. I foolishly chose to do Computer Science after school though, but have since refocussed my career path to science/biology.

Kevin

LegacyUser

Hi op my ex was like you (we split for different reasons)

I think what you need is some defining points in your life, like what do you want to do when you grow up.

now im assumng youre over 23 and have the travelling bug out of you, and just havent found that thing your at home with.

I felt likethat some years ago then joined the army (not the Irish one or uk) things took off from there there was always a group or a night out that I was interested in and nothing that needed immediete attention so I could take my time doing things,

What you need to do is ger some responsibility where things depend on your actions that have concequences that will shake you out of sitting around.

good luck

LegacyUser

Cheers for the reply, OP here

Thats the thing though... I was never particularly interested in any. We did an interest test and an aptitude test when I was in school... I was lowest in the class on interest, but highest on aptitude. I did computers in college mainly because I found it easiest of all the subjects I'd done.

Skapoot

He OP.

I am similar to you. I like a bit of everything and am good at a bit of everything.

Its a toughie. I basically use logic to make all my choices because I never know what my heart wants. Its ridiculous. Ive never felt passionate about much!

What you need to do is, find what you like. Dont look for passion. Look for something you'd prefer to do over anything else. Even if its only slightly. And make sure that its something that will result in something you want- for extra motivation. something you can build on.

I dont know if that makes any sense...:pac:

cafecolour

I'm exactly the same, I used to joke that my gravestone would say "He had so much potential..." I've gotten slightly better about it as I've gotten older, but not much.

One things I've realized is that there are def somethings I like more than others - it's just I'm bad at being able to tell how much I like something. Instead of thinking about it theoretically, try paying attention to what gives you energy. As a crude example - imagine talking about the weather with an aul one in the pub, versus talking to young, cute one about video games (or whatever). The later is going to perk you up more than the former, no?

After years in computers (as I was good at it and didn't mind it), I realized I actually get more energy from people, and ended up switching to the service industry. Less money and still some downsides (obviously), but I don't avoid going to work the same way I did for the computer job.

Finally, I know exercise and good diet helps my overall mood, so I'm enough of a creature of habit that I can manage the gym every so often and when I'm at the shop I'll only buy things that are good for me - I'm generally indifferent enough to what I'm eating that I'll eat whatever is in the fridge regardless.