Discussion Lack of motivation

[Painless_end]

Is there any way to explain a complete lack of motivation in life but not being actively suicidal ?

The causes which are invalid for me : depression, anxiety, laziness, fear.

None of these hold true for me. You will just have to take my word for it.

What is any biological reason that I am practically like this since I was 16 or so.

I am 31 now. I am completely uninterested in getting a job, hobby, relationship.

I don't have any "vices" like alcohol, drugs, smoking.

I don't have any leisure interests like gaming, music.

My state of mind shifts a lot but the common pattern is to not get too involved in any one thing.

I suppose at the most I would like travelling and visiting new locations but since I am out of a job voluntarily for almost 2 years and I live with my parents, this isn't really an option at the moment because of my conscience weighing on me about "do something productive".

I only exert the minimum amount of energy needed for daily hygiene and intake of nutrition.

I should mention that I occasionally do attend very limited amount of online webinars for learning some new skills like in IT which is where I have been working at least until my last job. But I am going to be honest with you I only take the seminars to get my parents' off my back about sitting on my ass all day. Oh and I do help in household chores when I can. So my parents are not stressed about housework but they are unhappy that I do not wilfully engage in any "value building" activity outside my house.

 

[OminousVaL]

I am experiencing something sort of similar that I describe as "chronic" boredom. I feel a large indifference to most things in life so to an extent I can relate with some of what you have said. Unfortunately I have nothing useful to contribute to this discussion but you are heard.

 

[Nymph]

Chronic apathy?

What is Apathy? Signs, Causes and Treatment

Apathy is a lack of interest in life activities and social interaction. It can affect your quality of life.

www.healthline.com

 

[ovaltinee99]

I'm in the same boat. Are you on any medication on which this is a side effect?

Alternatively, if you have access to free/ affordable healthcare, there are medications that may help with lack of motivation.

Remember to be gentle with yourself. Sometimes all we can manage is get out of bed and take a shower, and that is okay. I don't know how to deal with parents who are not supportive though, so I can't help with that unfortunately. But just for you mentally, remember that small things are an achievement in this cruel world, too. I consider it a good day when I am able to get out of bed, do a couple of chores and maintain some sort of order in the house. Sometimes I add to that but baby steps are also good enough. I am hoping one day, it all builds up. One of these days I might run or do some HIIT to see if it helps with my lack of motivation.

 

[timf]

Prior to technology most people spent all summer trying to grow enough food to make it through the winter.

Since technology more people have had the opportunity to experience boredom.

Some when faced with boredom engage in sensation generating activities like drugs, alcohol, casual fornication, or thrill seeking. This can lead to consequences that result in painful experiences. Resolving these experiences can be difficult and costly and often lead back to a state of boredom.

To be able to break out of boredom into the realm of happiness seems to require taking an interest in and serving others. In a way our own happiness may be the result of a decreasing self-focus and seeking the happiness of others.

You may wish to experiment to see if something like volunteer work would help you discover a spark or vitality for living that had been previously hidden.

 

[CoalmineCanary]

Anhedonia - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Maybe?

 

[Albert]

Yes, it's called absurdism. I highly recommend you read philosophy, especially Albert Camus, the father of absurdism. The book I will be referencing is called The Myth of Sisyphus.

In short, and this won't do it justice, Camus says that absurdity is the moment when we realize how ridiculous and pointless our everyday actions are and we cannot see any profound meaning in life.

You don't need to be depressed or suicidal to experience this either. In fact, Camus' whole argument is against suicide as a solution for this state of mind and instead preaches acceptance of the situation and imagining yourself happy in spite of the fact you realize it's all illogical.

Read up on Sisyphus too, he is a guy from Greek mythology who is sentenced to rolling a boulder up a hill for all eternity only to see it fall down when he reaches the top. Like him you must see yourself happy walking down that hill to retrieve the boulder. I guess in other words, enjoy the really small things in life.

 

[kohaku]

Schizoid Personality Disorder is characterized by a general apathy.

If you have schizoid personality disorder, it's likely that you:

• Prefer being alone and choose to do activities alone
• Don't want or enjoy close relationships
• Feel little if any desire for sexual relationships
• Feel like you can't experience pleasure
• Have difficulty expressing emotions and reacting appropriately to situations
• May seem humorless, indifferent or emotionally cold to others
• May appear to lack motivation and goals
• Don't react to praise or critical remarks from others

The primary form of treatment is psychotherapy. Have you considered seeing a therapist? They could have all the answers you seek. I'm not a professional, I'm just throwing an idea out there.