Possible to have ZERO Passions/Special Interests/Talents?

xmjm924x · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2009, 07:09 PM

I don't mean to be a negative nancy but...

When I was very young I loved everything and basically everything was a passion. Cars, motorcycles, writing, making things out of nothing, art, you name it.

Now I am 19 and I have absolutely no passions, no interests, and no special talents. Don't play any sports, don't read, don't ever go out, don't play any instruments, don't write, don't draw, don't have any special PC knowledge, and ultimately don't look forward to anything except going to sleep. Does anybody else share this godforsaken burden?

Jonathan · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2009, 11:08 PM

Sounds like you're experiencing apathy in most areas of your life. I think this is a common experience for people around your age.

If I were you, I'd probably try to focus hard on picking back up one of my old passions and see if it reignites a fire. Besides that, I may consider finding someone (professionally) to talk about it for advice.

sgtmac66 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 08:21 AM

I certainly don't, but I have a son who went through a similar thing when he was 27. It was diagnosed as depression. Doctors, medications and all the rest didn't help. What really helped him was sitting down with me for several hours one day, and talking it out. We didn't dwell much on what he was depressed about, but about what things he would enjoy doing.

He like you had a lot of passions as a young boy, baseball, fishing, etc...lots of outdoors stuff...His depression...or lack of enthusiasm as we will call it was the death of a grandfather. He spent his days sleeping and playing video games, and feeling sorry for himself.

Once we got him back out in the real world, he found some passion in his life. He likes to walk in the park, play with our grand-kids, has found the computer and music-especially learning to play the guitar and a host of other things...

...An old adage is "Quit feeling sorry for yourself and get off you duff and do something about it" I know it sounds harsh, but if you don't do it, who will?

Another useful tool is find someone your age you can relate to, then find something that they like to do that you can share.

Keep us posted....We wish you well

Ileane · #4 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 08:46 AM

Hi xmjm924x, First I want to say "Oh to be 19 again..." lol.

I'm sure you have something you are interested in, and I can tell you what it is. The internet, because you would never have joined this forum if you weren't interested in some aspect of the internet. My advice to you is instead of making a list of what you don't do anymore, make yourself a list of what you DO do. You might not have "special PC knowledge" but it is easy to get some if you want to by just reading through the posts on this forum. You say that you don't write, but it looks like you have 12 posts here already, so that is a great start.

All it takes is for you to have a positive attitude and you will be surprised at how many things you will LOVE to do.

I hope this helps you, let me know your thoughts.

Nora · #5 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 08:55 AM

I've never experienced that but it sounds a lot like depression. I can't imagine not having any passions or interests.

Have you tried spending time on something that you want to achieve? Like web design if becoming a web designer may seem like something you'd like? Most of the interests I have now are interests because at one point I decided it was something I wanted to become good at.

I wish you a lot of luck.

James · #6 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 12:23 PM

If you are really having a mental health or addiction problem, do get some help. But if you are just going through a re-evaluation of life time, don't worry about it too much. At your age you are outgrowing many of life interests and need to develop new ones. (Actually in today's society a lot of people don't seem to grow up until they reach 30 or so!)

Nora makes one of the most important observations when she says:

Quote:

Have you tried spending time on something that you want to achieve?

Even if it is not what you end up spending years on, picking any subject and starting to learn about it will stimulate your mind. Even with real depression, one of the not so technical but real helps, is to start setting and reaching goals. Start small and keep increasing the size of the goals. With every goal attained you will gain momentum and a greater joy in life.

brakepad · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 11:28 PM

Hi, cheer up, young man!

Maybe what u need it to find the lost motivation! Maybe u are just defending yourself for seraching excuses, and try to aviod the efforts.

No matter what u do, it won't be easy, prepared for that! And once u accept the fact, then cheer up and work hard for that!

wordsfail · #8 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xmjm924x

I don't mean to be a negative nancy but...

When I was very young I loved everything and basically everything was a passion. Cars, motorcycles, writing, making things out of nothing, art, you name it.

Now I am 19 and I have absolutely no passions, no interests, and no special talents. Don't play any sports, don't read, don't ever go out, don't play any instruments, don't write, don't draw, don't have any special PC knowledge, and ultimately don't look forward to anything except going to sleep. Does anybody else share this godforsaken burden?

Yes, it's possible. I often feel like that. Half the time I don't even feel human and feel like I'm acting my way through life. I suffer from anxiety (and occasionally depression), though, so that might have something to do with it.

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