Nothing gets me excited anymore....

[Zoostar84]

I haven't had anything in my life that get me excited for quite awhile now. I don't have a passion for anything in my life.I used to enjoy playing poker with my mates and then we went our different ways and had trouble getting together. I then was passionate about collecting football cards and I still collect them but it doesn't give me that thrill it once did.I enjoy going fishing, watching football, going to the races, weekends away with my girlfriend and my family.

Any suggestions?

[Jacko777]

Hi Zoostar84,

I have a suggestion...keep searching for your passions, never stop. My passions are often the things i have a negative reaction to, like conservation. I am pretty concerned about what goes on in nature and while that is negative I can find a positive action to take and that brings me happiness and satisfaction. I am also highly concerned about suicide, particularly here in Australia, so I get on here and I raise awareness wherever I can.

These things I do regardless of what anyone else thinks and regardless of whether I am paid, in fact my passions are the things I do even though I am not paid. Could you ramp up some of the things you have mentioned, see how far you can take them? Take your girlfriend to another city for the weekend, go Blue Marlin fishing, push the boundaries.

These things you do enjoy, remember to be thankful that you can partake in these activities, have gratitude that you are able to do them, there is value there. It helps me to be clear about my long term goals in life, be passionate about reaching your goals.

Jack

[MarkBt]

Hi Zoostar84,

 I can certainly relate to this. At times I did and still can feel this kind of depression where nothing is exciting or worthwhile. I always figured that when my anxiety was at it's worst and subsided, I'd tip over into this weird depressed state where nothing I enjoyed previously would get me excited and wanting to get moving. Sometimes i'd just force myself to go and do something i found enjoyable or at least relaxing. Mostly it worked for me, just the act of moving forward in life was enough to keep me interested. Easier said than done as always though.

Were there any triggers for this?

[Neil_1]

Hi there Zoostar

I’ve gotta say with a name like that, and the fact that you said you like going to the races, I wonder if indeed you’re named after that very good colt from a couple of years ago, Zoustar;  trained by Chris Waller.  Or it may just be pure coincidence or it could be Neil just searching down a different parallel dimension and all this is just a waste of words.  Who knows, who will ever know.

I used to host cards nights at my place – had anywhere between 3 or 5 other mates over and it’d be a lot of fun.  I always remember I woke up feeling very wonky the next morning, so they must have been good times.  But for some reason, as you said, people move on, etc, but I haven’t been able to get one of those gatherings now for a fair while.  It’s really weird – cause I’d probably have a good time if it happened, but I just cannot arrange it.  I won’t arrange it.  That IS weird, I believe.

The feelings of enjoyment, even on a weekend can at times leave you feeling just blah, or flat.  Do you experience this also?

As Jacko said, keep searching, keep trying for different things.  It’s a journey and we know it’s not an easy one.

I guess I could insert here, “The purpose of life”, but that’s been a topic on a number of other threads on this site, so I won’t go into that at all here.

Also as MarkBt said, “these things are all easier said than done” – but we’ve got to try, we’ve simply gotta keep going and seek out different things.

Not sure if this helped, but it helped me a bit to read yours as well as the other responses.

Cheers

Neil

[Lori]

Hey Zoostar84,

It seems that you have had some activities/hobbies that you onced enjoyed with your mates etc.

But the things that you still do and get a little bit of enjoyment out of keep doing them, and also try new things even if you dont feel like it or you dont have the energy push yourself to try new things because you may just suprise yourself..

For myself i was told to try doing a 30minute walk 3 times a week i felt it was impossible and boring i now walk 3hours a day i travel all over Australia doing walks and runs for events and yeah i never imagined that would become of it all... but i have found after trying multiple things that i love exercise, i love yoga and i love being around people..

So i guess just trying to let you know its always worth trying something even if you feel like its a waste of time and if it is atleast you tried! 

Goodluck i hope you find something

- Lori 🙂

[Zoostar84]

Thankyou for your replies. Tonight I got a text from an old friend who wants to organise a poker night. I told him I am definately interested and will hold it where we used to play many years ago if he wants to.

Jacko777 I have plans with my girlfriend to go to my brothers wedding in brisbane next year and then spend a week in Broadbeach. Blue marlin fishing..I like the idea.

Neil1 my username has nothing to do with the horse Zoustar, but I have backed that horse a few times. It has more to do with my surname. I do not enjoy things I do on the weekends and in my spare time as much as I used to.

Lori I am trying yoga in the new year and I have done forms of meditation by myself but am looking to do a meditation class.

[Neil_1]

Hi there Zoostar

How amazing is that – to be writing about the old poker games that you used to do and seemingly out of the blue, you get a mate potentially organising one – sounds awesome.  I hope it goes ahead and that you can make it.

Also having that wedding next year is something that is a very good thing to have in your mind.  Something to hopefully look forward to as well as the week after that also.  Always good to have goals set in place, so there’s something that you can be working towards.

Kind regards

Neil

[Zoostar84]

Yeah.it was seemingly out of the blue. I was actually on this forum when I got the text.

On another topic I bought my first mindfulness colouring book today from the newsagent. The guy that sold it to me made a comment about it being only females that buy these books which made me upset. I didn't want to it lead me to have a panic attack. I decided I had to go back and tell him I felt upset by his comment as I thought it would bother me If I didn't. I also told him the book is not gender specific. He told me he was just having a joke but he was truly sorry. I felt better afterwards. The colouring in I did turned out great.

[Chicken_Wings]

Wow I'm really impressed that you went back and said something to the news agent. I think you're stronger than you give yourself credit for.

id just like to second what Lori said about keeping on trying things even if you think they're going to be a waste of time.

its much better to spend your time giving something a go rather than thinking about how your feelings towards activities has changed.

i had a try at colouring, but I don't think the book I was using was the best quality. My colouring was fine but the lines on the picture were a bit skewif. It's great that yours turned out well, did you enjoy it?

My boyfriend does poker nights too, although they haven't done one in a while. Everyone is seemingly so busy and having kids etc. I hope yours goes well. 

[Zoostar84]

Hi Chickenwings

I have enjoyed the colouring book and have bought some for people at work as I can get them quite cheap.

I have set a date for a poker night in mid February.

 I have sensed some sort of enjoyment when I watched Happy Gilmore, which I hadn't seen for a very long time. I also listened to an ACDC song that I hadn't heard for a very long time either.