How do/did you find what is that you are passionate about?

I'm trying to find my passion in life. Something that will make me wake up in the morning without setting the alarm. But no. My life is just surviving. I'm passionate about nothing, and nothing motivates me to wake up in the morning; not money, not love, not traveling, not parties ... nothing.

I might have developed depression because of my social isolation because of my shyness/social anxiety/sensitivity, but now I cannot get out of this prison. I said I cannot because I have no energy to read, go out, or do anything that could potentially change my mind and as a result my life.

Sometimes I try to pretend to be passionate about something hoping to become genuinely passionate about it, but to no avail.

No therapy suggestions please. The idea of paying someone to listen to me "professionally" isn't something pleasant to me.

I'll repeat my question: How do/did you find what is that you are passionate about, and makes you wake up in the morning? and could you ever find your passion in the depth of your despair?

[LucyG]

The first thing you do is treat your depression so it doesn't control your life. You can't be passionate about anything when a dark black cloud is hanging over your life.

There is a physiological basis for depression, and it can easily be treated with amino acids or herbs like St. John's Wort. Amino acids give the brain the nutrients it needs produce the neurotransmitters that keep your mood stable, and make you happy. St. John's Wort increases serotonin in the brain. I use amino acids and the mineral supplement lithium orotate to control my bipolar 2. I was on meds for over 13 years with limited success. I've been using the amino acids and lithium for over 9 years now, and it's amazing the difference in my life. I've gone from being miserable to actually being happy.

Your thyroid could also be low causing some of your depression.

I agree therapy isn't the answer.

I think once your depression lifts, you'll have some energy and the boredom will lead you to want to do something. You have to get out and experience life to find your passion. Give yourself a chance to get to know people, find a job [I assume you don't work], go places and try to meet people.

Here are a couple of articles on treating depression with alternative treatments:

This is a brain function questionnaire. I think you'll see that your lack of interest in life is because your brain doesn't have enough of the neurotransmitters that make life worth living. I used this when I first starting using amino acids.

http://drjolee.com/Brain-Function-Questionnaire.pdf

https://www.integrativepsychiatry.ne...epression.html

Treating Depression Naturally Is Possible ? Clean's The New Black

[MickeyCheeky]

I can relate so much with this.. I have absolutely no passion in my life and I have no idea how to find one.. I'm really sorry you have to go through this too, I know how you feel

[JustMeMyself&I]

Hey, I completely relate. I literally have no motivation and don't socialize much.
For the best advice I can give, I would first look for something small and simple.
For example, I have the same situation, but I have developed an interest in digital art. Pretty simple. And I got really obsessed. So now I watch a lot of speed paint vids on youtube, watching others draw digitally, and I am asking for the equipment for Christmas, so that I can practice digital art myself. This way I began to plan doing the art, maybe making some sort of account on the internet, and sharing it with people, maybe even creating a small community etc.

So this is just a small interest I had, that I made into something I'm passionate about, and it satisfies me so far. Later, this small interest might help in creating some new and bigger passions.
Hope it helped a bit.

I had to have freedom in order to discover my passion - including the freedom to make a mistake. For me the opportunity didn't come until I went through a significant change of life. Finding myself suddenly single in my 40s allowed me to discover a whole new way of life. I tried all kinds of art and other classes and discovered the wonderful outdoors. I suppose if I had felt I had that freedom much earlier in life I would have made the same discoveries. It is unfortunate it took so long.

So what can you do now? I suppose you ought to leap - the net will appear. Find some adult classes in your community like art, pottery, yoga, tai chi, or what have you. I suggest even signing up for something that doesn't stand out. This is how discoveries are made. Some communities allow you to drop in on classes before you make up your mind. Have you heard of MeetUp? No it's not a hook-up site. It is one where people gather together to arrange meetings and outings. I went to a 'wine and art' night which was a lot of fun. Anyway, it is a great way to not only meet people but try out different activities.

Another thing you might try is instead of thinking 'what should I do?' perhaps think 'what is preventing me from doing?' or even 'what is it about this that I don't care for? Is that really a problem or actually a hurdle?'

Try to remain optimistic. Obviously this won't happen overnight. Slowly you will have little wins here and there which will grow into a larger one.

I do not think passion and depression are even remotely acquainted with each other

Right now, for me, I have occasional sparks of...something. It takes time and/or meds and/or therapy and/or support to get to the point where you "want" imho...

Thanks everyone for your responses.

I agree I need to address my depression, but I was thinking that may be if I find something at least interesting, my depression/inactivity would be alleviated.

From my childhood, I was steered and wouldn't be allowed to pursue my passion or discover it. Parents want their children to be "successful" financially, which I think is a huge mistake parents make to their children, because if they aren't passionate about what they do, they won't be successful, but average at best.

Now I'm trying to discover my passion. For my job I think it's a bit too late, but I need something interesting that keeps me going and making me active, energetic, and vital. I feel like I'm a walking dead. I haven't been outstanding in my study, jobs, or social relationships. I feel my life has no meaning other than to walk the road of every one else: study, work, get married, have children, raise them and then die. I don't want my life to be like this, void of subjective meaning.

Meds and therapy are out of question for me. I know I may sound stubborn about this, but I tried therapy once and I felt worse.

Well, what do you/did you love?

And, I'm sorry, but my family is my life....they are my meaning...

If you don't have one/any YET, you might want to consider that it's something to look forward to....

This is interesting, because I was thinking: will staring a family change my life, or I need to change my life before starting a family? Because the last thing I want to do is to bring someone else to my "misery", but at the same time, what if that someone is my rescuer from my "misery". I cannot answer this for sure.

[nicoleflynn]

I always knew what my passion(s) were.......I LOVE ballet and all dancing, music, reading, etc......