lost my sense of purpose, what about you?! what gives you purpose?

kinda dawned on me that maybe i am partially unhappy because i really don't have much of a life. i don't do enough; baring in my i have no energy most of the time and often lack the desire to do things.... but there are days where i am "ok" & feel this inner restless because i don't know what to do with myself and i WANT to do SOMETHING but i am at a loss for what that is. i feel partially trapped as i suffer from social anxiety, so it is hard to reach out and do things with others... i don't know.... i think i am venting more than anything.... wondering if anyone is going through the same thing i guess.

Yes I am going through exactly the same thing. I recently finished a book called "Mans Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankyl. It helped me quite a bit. I had a thread on it. Finding Meaning I think I called it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I read Frankyl's book a few years ago. But I still struggle with what my life's purpose is. What I have done is volunteer at an animal rescue. They are a no kill organization and get most of the animals from kill shelters, provide them with whatever medical attention they need, start them on their vaccinations and spay/neuter them. They are then sent to the no cage adoption center. This organization is becoming the national model for animal rescue.
I am shy too, but there I have something in common with other volunteers and the staff. From there our friendships grew and now I am comfortable.
I chose animal rescue because that is something I am passionate about. Also, they don't have a requirement for when or how many hours/days I have to be there. Is there someplace you can volunteer?

Hi Maskon,

I'm suffering from the same issues at the moment... I am finding that my thoughts are leading to bad things too because I just feel useless. I have no friends (well I thought I had one, but she is sick of my crap and would prefer to go and hang out with other colleagues and have drinks) and I don't do much on my days off work (partly due to social anxiety). I have no energy either and I'm finding it really hard.

I don't think I can offer you any advice, but I will be here if you want to chat. I understand how difficult it is.

All the best.

Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk

All I can say is "DITTO" here. I have tried to do many things but never got anywhere with them although I had a little fun. But losing jobs one after the other has just zapped my acceptance of myself, society and what it means to be "living". Sure I get up each day and breathe, eat and poop but then the night comes and I prepare to do it all again. Each new job is just another fearful time where I count the days until they find some reason to "let me go."

To be honest, most of my sense of determination to move forward (which doesn't add up to a lot haha) is based on my dreams for the future. I still have things I want to achieve and honestly even if life is crappy, this one is mine to live and even if I've messed up quite a lot of it I still want to be proud of it when I look back you know? To be able to say that I did try my hardest and I did my best with what was given to me and this is how it turned out. My story is my own to write and even though I have a tendency towards self destruction, I won't leave the rest of the pages blank.

Love, everlasting friendship, wild adventures, the feeling of connecting with people. These may seem impossible to find but the impossible is never impossible if you keep looking for it.

http://forums.psychcentral.com/depre...g-meaning.html

I felt very much like that before kids. Not that kids are a solution, it's my frame of reference when answering, a time period. I felt, for the longest, a lack of purpose. Had ambitions, yet struggled with,,like what you describe. Depression, is interesting like that.
Like walking in a dream, but it's reality.
More so than lacking purpose, was the beginning of taking back power, from those that had effect over my emotions.
I'm ramblin...

Sent from my LG-MS910 using Tapatalk 2

Made a similar thread recently but on the opposite side of things. I sat down and gave it some real thought to what could give me purpose: http://forums.psychcentral.com/depre...erm-goals.html

If there is something that you enjoy or in the past enjoyed and has a practical application... perhaps weigh up the merits of revisiting and using it as an anchor?

I lost two jobs in a row due to depression a year and a half ago. I went into a six month long very deep depression after that. The depression started way before I lost the jobs. I had 4 really good months after that and then the good ole depression came back just like clockwork.

My family and I decided the best thing to do was apply for social security disability. I have been in a depression since Oct. but in the last few days I have been feeling much better.

My problem is like yours. I have no idea what to do with myself during the days. The social anxiety is still real bad so that makes it hard to get out and do anything. I am feeling good enough the last couple of days to be bored out of my mind. When I completely snap out of this depression, which always happens at some point, then it is not so hard. I naturally want to go out and do things. Last summer I did a bunch of home improvement projects for my parents and sold a ton of stuff on Ebay.

When in this place I think we have to find meaning and purpose in the smallest things. We even have to find meaning and purpose in our suffering. It is not for naught.

I have the same issues going on in my life. I lost my job in 2009, became sick(er) and ended up on Disability. So I can't work. Every day is very long and I have lost my sense of purpose. I don't know how to fill my days. I wander around the house aimelessly with no purpose and nothing to do. Plus I deal with Depression and anxiety. I have no local friends. I just moved to a new home in a new location in a different part of the State and don't know my way around and don't know anyone here. I feel totally lost and alone and lonely. I need to talk to someone.

N o t h i n g

The only reason I struggle to keep going is my daughter. She is grown but at times still looks to me for help. She has been my purpose in life since she was born. I'm sure I would not be here if not for her. She is a true blessing.

I guess my purpose today is reading and posting on these forums because that is all I have been doing all day. Like I said I have nothing else to do. Feeling a little manic which is a good thing.

People do have natural predispositions (art, literature, outdoors, etc), so if you start exploring some of the things you're drawn to without the expectation of suddenly stumbling upon a life-altering epiphany you may start to discover more purpose. Good pursuits give back.

Had a sense of purpose at one point...it was when I was gainfully employed. I am aware that work does not define a person, but for me it certainly helped with partially defining a purpose.

I think work is a very important purpose but it should not define us. I realized many years ago when I got fired from two jobs in a row that all my self worth was tied up in my work. I was shattered. It turned out to be a good thing as it was my bottom and I have been clean and sober ever since.

Now due to the depression being so much worse and getting fired from another two jobs in a row and not being able to work I am really struggling with that. Thank god all my self worth was not tied up in my career anymore but it is still really difficult to go from being a person who has worked since the age of 14 to being unable to work. I am kind of lost.

The same thing happened to me. I kept having meltdowns at work. Now I have filed for disability and it has really hurt us financially to lose my income (who knows when/if SSDI will come through). Doctor, therapy, and medicine bills are eating into our already strained budget, and I'm feeling worthless and a burden on top of being useless. All of this is making my anxiety worse, which makes it very difficult for me to interact with people. Some days I don't bother to get out of bed. I mean, for what?
Obviously that wasn't helpful, but I hear that misery loves company

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That pretty much describes my life to a T. I too am at a loss for what my purpose is in life. All the best to you.