Help I can't find my purpose in life

[Ixtlilton]

I have no purpose in life, I know I have to find it. I don't know where to look or what to do. I think I have to just go out and do things, I have two problems though. The town I am in is way too small to do anything and it will be a while before I can move out. I also have depression and find it difficult to go and do things on a daily basis. The only thing that I like to do besides playing video games ( I hate playing video games) is reading philosophy. Although, it feels to pretentous and non-productive to have it as a purpose. I feel so lost.

 

[glittergore]

Why does reading philosophy feel pretentious and non-productive? It's not pretentious if you're genuinely interested in it. Truth-seeking is a respectable and meaningful way of spending your time. If you want something to show for it, you could try formal writing of your ideas.

Other than that, I think you're right in saying you just have to try things. I know that's difficult with being in a small town and having mental illness, but try to do research of various things online until you find something that piques your interest. You may be able to make this process easier/more pointed by exploring what makes you like the things you like - such as philosophy - and trying to identify similarities in different things. For example, if you like philosophy because you like dealing with higher-level concepts, you may enjoy art, film, or literature. If you get into making any of those, there's the productive effort. I know a lot of people also get satisfaction over helping other people, so maybe look into volunteering.

 

[timf]

Glittergore had some good advice about experimentation. You might expand your current interest to being available to college students for on-line tutoring. You might also experiment with discovery of new interests. You may also wish to expand this to physical activities like yard work (or snow shoveling in the winter).

 

[Sensei]

Out of personal experience, I can say that it's very rewarding to help other people. You could start by joining Amnesty and literally help saving people's lives from your home.

 

[itsallover]

How old are you? Look for a community college to study philosophy since that's your passion.

 

[ERASED]

There is no purpose in life. You may "think" there is....but in reality there isn't shit for anyone.

 

[Ixtlilton]

How old are you? Look for a community college to study philosophy since that's your passion.

I'm 18, I am going to community college soon. Not for that though, later I do want to study philosophy. I might take a couple classes here and there. Its just not my priority for going to school atm.

 

[Sensei]

There is no purpose in life. You may "think" there is....but in reality there isn't shit for anyone.

I agree. However, one can create an own purpose. It may be an illusion, but it can be a pleasant one.

 

[Deleted member 1465]

The inherent purpose in life is to create more life. Apart from that, it's all your choice. I believe we should focus on where our talents are: usually, using your talents is the best road to try and be happy.
NB. I didn't really do this, I half arsed it at best.

 

[JoeFailure]

There is no purpose in life. You may "think" there is....but in reality there isn't shit for anyone.

That could be true if you're just talking about no afterlife/no spiritual purpose.

But if you create your own purpose, that can be just as powerful. Creating that can literally get you out of bed in the morning to start and springboard into a happier life. Which is also part of the purpose.

Obviously though, it's hard to find and cultivate that.

I have no purpose in life, I know I have to find it. I don't know where to look or what to do. I think I have to just go out and do things, I have two problems though. The town I am in is way too small to do anything and it will be a while before I can move out. I also have depression and find it difficult to go and do things on a daily basis. The only thing that I like to do besides playing video games ( I hate playing video games) is reading philosophy. Although, it feels to pretentous and non-productive to have it as a purpose. I feel so lost.

Do you have any interests or things you'd like to do?mYou can actually probably get out of your small town quicker than you think if you can land a job in a bigger city or town.

 

[Mr2005]

I have no purpose in life, I know I have to find it. I don't know where to look or what to do. I think I have to just go out and do things, I have two problems though. The town I am in is way too small to do anything and it will be a while before I can move out. I also have depression and find it difficult to go and do things on a daily basis. The only thing that I like to do besides playing video games ( I hate playing video games) is reading philosophy. Although, it feels to pretentous and non-productive to have it as a purpose. I feel so lost.

Theres many people here desperately in need of help. It's a good start I reckon

 

[Throwawaysoul]

Do you have any interests or things you'd like to do?

I personally have no interests and Anhedonia makes me not want to pursue anything, because why bother.

 

[TakeYourHappyPills]

I have no purpose in life, I know I have to find it. I don't know where to look or what to do. I think I have to just go out and do things, I have two problems though. The town I am in is way too small to do anything and it will be a while before I can move out. I also have depression and find it difficult to go and do things on a daily basis. The only thing that I like to do besides playing video games ( I hate playing video games) is reading philosophy. Although, it feels to pretentous and non-productive to have it as a purpose. I feel so lost.

I personally believe purposes don't have to be some huge thing such as curing cancer. Sure, it would be nice but not everyone has the ability to do so. If you enjoy philosophy then that can be your purpose, or it could be anything simple such as watering some flowers or feeding your pets. I can't give you an answer as to what your purpose is, you'll have to figure that out for yourself. You have one, you just need to keep looking for it (:

 

[ERASED]

That could be true if you're just talking about no afterlife/no spiritual purpose.

But if you create your own purpose, that can be just as powerful. Creating that can literally get you out of bed in the morning to start and springboard into a happier life. Which is also part of the purpose.

Obviously though, it's hard to find and cultivate that.


Do you have any interests or things you'd like to do?mYou can actually probably get out of your small town quicker than you think if you can land a job in a bigger city or town.

Kind of hard to make your own purpose especially when all bets are against you and you were doomed from the start to fail. So how can one be positive about or even for a future when one was or is presented to them.

 

[IWTD]

yeah man I understand that.

Why does reading philosophy feel pretentious and non-productive? It's not pretentious if you're genuinely interested in it. Truth-seeking is a respectable and meaningful way of spending your time. If you want something to show for it, you could try formal writing of your ideas.

Other than that, I think you're right in saying you just have to try things. I know that's difficult with being in a small town and having mental illness, but try to do research of various things online until you find something that piques your interest. You may be able to make this process easier/more pointed by exploring what makes you like the things you like - such as philosophy - and trying to identify similarities in different things. For example, if you like philosophy because you like dealing with higher-level concepts, you may enjoy art, film, or literature. If you get into making any of those, there's the productive effort. I know a lot of people also get satisfaction over helping other people, so maybe look into volunteering.

Love it.

 

[Dartz]

No direction, no purpose, no interests. I feel you, story of my life.

 

[KibblesNBits]

I have no purpose in life, I know I have to find it. I don't know where to look or what to do. I think I have to just go out and do things, I have two problems though. The town I am in is way too small to do anything and it will be a while before I can move out. I also have depression and find it difficult to go and do things on a daily basis. The only thing that I like to do besides playing video games ( I hate playing video games) is reading philosophy. Although, it feels to pretentous and non-productive to have as a purpose. I feel so lost.

Damn, I wish I was healthy enough to worry about my purpose like I used to. Those were the days. Honestly, if you're young and healthy, your purpose can be whatever you want it to be. Find out what drives you and go for it.

 

[Intheo]

I was/am in the same boat as you. I just didn't see what was the point of getting a degree to get a job I hate so I can make money and yada yada...to what end or purpose? Nobody knows man.

So I tried everything. I adopted and dropped many interests over the years. Different kinds of sports, writing, music, jobs, I've tried slam poetry, wrote and performed music, got into pickup, drank a lot, partied a lot, volunteered, met a lot of different kinds of people, and traveled.. and in the end I still don't know what i want to do. Traveling I found out I love, and through traveling I realized I really like wildlife and the ocean.
So finally in my mid 30s, I think working in conservation may be what I need to do, but I don't really know how to do it at this stage, especially where I live. It also doesn't answer the far bigger question of what is the purpose of even doing anything.