re: Life In General Just Feels Hopeless and Meaningless

That’s what the world wants to make you feel. The world is not where you get your identity and meaning in life....






That can only be found in Christ

The words we speak over our situations carry more weight than we think. If I call myself a drug addict, which I have been, I put a label on myself that is difficult to shake and often begin a snowball effect on speaking into reality lies that become our truths.

I get caught in the same tailspin sometimes in regard to not being on pace with many of the OT ballers and other 36 year olds. However, our strength in these situations is we have something to work toward. I have also been using food delivery apps to supplement income as I work toward eventually finishing the mere 8 hours I have put off completing at LSU due to an 11 year hiatus of ebbs and flows of addiction and recovery.

If you stand up to fight, regardless of the outcome- that is this most noble thing we can do. Our happiness is not dictated by our careers and hopefully instead of viewing this in light of a lull, this can be an opportunity to grow and become more resourceful in how to achieve the happiness you desire. Churches are great resources for someone who is at your crossroads both from a mental health standpoint and even job networking potential.

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If you stand up to fight, regardless of the outcome- that is this most noble thing we can do. Our happiness is not dictated by our careers and hopefully instead of viewing this in light of a lull, this can be an opportunity to grow and become more resourceful in how to achieve the happiness you desire. Churches are great resources for someone who is at your crossroads both from a mental health standpoint and even job networking potential.

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Very true and I am trying to stand up and fight. And I know some of this is spiritual. My relationship with God hasn't been the greatest. I grew up Catholic but hardly ever go to church, mostly because I was never given the choice as a kid. I even believe in ideas like reincarnation (though that may be just me hoping I get another shot at life and get it right the next time) which I know Catholicism rejects. I know I probably need to start with getting right by God because I've been angry at God for a long time now. And maybe that will help get me back on a better path.

I want to be straight with you. You might think I’m just some OT blowhard piping in with hard knocks advice because it sounds right.

But you can search my submission history. Back around August 2016.

I’ve got my own pathetic post. Just like yours. I spent 10 months living in my parents house with a wife and son. 4 of those months I couldn’t find one ounce of income or job prospect. My wife and I had sex twice in a year. I had zero friends. Zero ambition. Zero clue.

I had no idea why. Not a clue. I thought and thought. Read and read. Posted and posted. Here, on Reddit. Anywhere that could take my words.

It never worked. Just got worse.

It took time, but I pulled myself out. I like to think I still am, but my life is light years beyond where I was. I am living a good life with hope and meaning.

It’s a simple fix that is far from easy to do. You have to become a man of action. Build your frame. Become a stoic oak who is unfazed by anyone or anything that dares stand in your way of what you want out of life.

Quit thinking. Stop talking. Start doing.

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I just feel like the best years of my life are behind me.

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I'm mid 30s

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They are behind you. accept it, make peace with it, then you can start to enjoy the years you have left.

Nobody gets to be young twice.

Life isn’t meaningless or hopeless. At times it may seem to be, but those times shall pass. Keep pushing forward man. My advice would be to make a drastic change from your routine. The struggle you encounter doing the same old routine can be depressing af, but the struggles that come from making a change can be vastly rewarding.

I think you’re setting your expectations for happiness and fulfillment on the wrong things. You need to get away from society for a brief period and give your spirit some refreshment. I’d suggest getting involved with a national park in some capacity. Money will be shite, but nature is the greatest reset button imo.

Just know that depression is what’s causing you to feel this way. It can consume you, but it’s nothing you can’t overcome. When things are going bad, that just compounds the effects of depression. Even when things are going well, depression can rob you of the satisfaction you desire. The important thing to understand is in life you can’t always be in control of how things happen, but your attitude and effort are within your control. It’s not easy, nothing is fair, but you are far more capable than you’ll ever know.

Stop watching cable news and stay off Crackbook, problem solved.

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They might have beat you down,
But they ain’t beat you yet.

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I like that line.

Did you write that poem or song?

This hits home, man. I’m in the same boat. 75k a year job (on the job for 4 years) and excelled. Only to be let go due to “restructuring”. Coward way of letting someone go to save a $. Follow that up with my, at the time, fiancé, cheating on me and we lived in our house that was as “gifted” to us, 2 years ago, but was left in her fathers name. Not only did I lose a very good job that I loved, I list my fiancé, home, etc. I am in FL, as well. (Although, for the time being, I’ll be headed home to to TN, until I can figure something out. It’s not easy on the mind. Emotional, depressing times. I can only hope that something comes along, sooner, rather than later. Good thing is that my only son is grown and doing well. So I am not strapped down anywhere, specific. I’m willing to relocate for the right situation/$.

Keep your head up. It’s all we can do. It’s actually brought me closer to family, which I never thought would happen.

I’m at the point that I’d shovel shite all day, as long as I was making 65k+.

Good luck, man. Sincerely.