Is it wrong to want "nothing"

Is it wrong to want "nothing"? Dreams shattered one too may times that one no longer dreams. Life in general has no meaning. To want absolutely nothing! This is not depression talking. This is not about me. Just a question in general.

I don't know if it's wrong, but it's perfectly understandable. Quite a few people go through life with a feeling that there is no sense, no meaning, just... plodding along and going through the motions, so to speak.

I think it is a 'bonus' to have a motivation or anything that spurs one on (dreams, passion or whatnot). But not everyone has the luxury to have a dream to sustain them. Just my take anyway.

So dreams are a luxury?

Websters Dictionary
luxury - a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort : sumptuous environment <lived in luxury>
3 a : something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary <one of life's luxuries> b : an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease <had the luxury of rejecting a handful of job offers -

I am not thinking of dreams like winning the lottery. I am thinking dreams to mean in this case to be more basic. Love, joy and peace. Maybe these are not basic. I do not know.

If you have no aspirations why bother with life?

it doesn't matter what they are, just what they mean or symbolise to YOU.

its all relative ...

I think we are on earth for a purpose even we don't realise it. It's like having a mission to accomplish. Maybe life does not inspire us right now but maybe in a few days or weeks or months something great will happen which will make us thankful for being alive and being part of this world.

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If you have no aspirations why bother with life?

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Very good question.. hmm

I "feel" the same, but the problem is for me, underneath the "want nothing" are a lot of real needs that should be fulfilled in anyone's life - for me the question is "How do I overcome my pain and fear of loss to hope for 'something' again?" I hate being in the survival mode and not the living mode

YES..... I think to want NOTHING is wrong.... for DREAMS give each and every one of us HOPE.... so with out dreams YOU (me - us) are NOTHING.

.... Every little dream helps.

It wasn't meant to be taken literally. And no, I wasn't thinking of winning the lottery.

But some people's reality is that they either do not have or cannot 'afford' (for want of a better word) to have even "the basic" - peace, joy etc, as you write.

After all, if the basic was achievable, so many people would not be so unhappy. People strive to achieve a state of peace or contentment, but how many achieve it?

I think everybody wants love, joy, peace...maybe, just now you are so down you can't stir up the need...but hopefully things will get better for you! I hope you feel better soon...and just go out and feel the sun on your face!!!

I've found some meaning in life by volunteering in the women's jail. I co-lead a weekly support group there (with the head of the local mental health assoc.) & find that it makes me appreciate my life so much more. I'm so grateful I didn't end up involved in drugs (though I experimented a little when I was a teen, but it mostly made me more paranoid than I already was!). I did abuse alcohol until I got on the right meds & again, I'm lucky that I did no permanent damage to myself or my daughter who ended up a preemie due to alcohol abuse while pregnant.

I also lead several workshops for NAMI & speak to groups about mental illness through them. I hope it is helping to reduce the stigma of mental illness.

I'm by no means happy or satified with my life all the time (my recent overdose attests to that), but I'm trying to manage my illness & get a good quality of life. I've been given a second chance at life after my suicide attempts & I intend to work to the best of my ability to prevent future relapses. I know I can't control when my brain misfires, but there are some self-care activities that can help me each day to find some joy, or if not joy, at least quell some of the despair I feel sometimes.

Sorry this is so long. As Beth said sometimes just getting out of the house & feeling the sun can bring some relief. Writing also helps, at least for me. I feel this is a supportive environment to express yourself wherever you happen to be in your recovery.--Suzy

Thanks Always,drunksunflower, domino, denmark, Rhapsody,Bethsway and Suzy. You all have great answers. Like I said, this is not about me. The question was thrown my way and I had no answer. All I could think of was when one is "depleted" of giving and/or been kicked and beaten down in life, that I would think a person would have good reason to "not care" or to "want nothing" and to want to disappear. This is not about suicide. I have never sorted out my thoughts on suicide and am not sure that even that is not an option. I just found the question hard to answer, "is it wrong to want "nothing" ?

i know what you mean flyer, i got my "dream" 8 years ago that was to have a child, and since then i have not wanted anything else, even though my dream was ripped from me by my now ex wife there is nothing else i want so whats the point going for pointless dreams/wants when its a waste of time and energy.

(((((((((((( mellors ))))))))

Love, joy and peace=inalienable rights, but they come from within you. No one can give them and no one can take them away from you.

There's a fine line between wanting nothing and being content with what you have. Not to be mistaken with "making do."

I find myself wanting "nothing."
I don't think it's wrong.
Patty

There is not much that I want anymore, and I am just too tired and beaten down to even think about dreams anymore. I did have one dream when I was young - to get out of my parent's house and away from my father's drunken rages! That happened at 15. And that was the last dream I had (other than being filthy rich, of course).

The rest of my life has been spent in Zombie mode.

How pathetic....

Sometimes we find ourselves in a place where survival is all we can manage. Then there are no dreams, just getting through today. There is nothing wrong with that.

Jan

Radio Flyer,

That wasn't very supportive of me. I'm trying so hard not to express myself so dramatically. If it's any consolation, I'm right there with ya!!!

OK, this isn't about you.

Whomever might be in this situation IS depressed imo. To have their expectations and aspirations dashed so many times that they can no longer afford to hope for anything puts one into the numbing depression.

Being human means we can expect our basic needs to be met, and should want them filled... purpose in life, relationships... etc imo

I don't use the word "wrong" with this idea, as that implies a choice.

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People strive to achieve a state of peace or contentment, but how many achieve it?

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Look at how most people go about trying to achieve it, especially in our free society. No wonder so many can't seem to manage anymore. Pretty soon, WE will be the experts that the rest of the world will be looking to in order to learn how to survive personal crisis after personal crisis. The cracks (in society) are already quite visible. After all, we are experts at survival!

(ok, a little out there in my thinking, but hey, look what's happening all over the world! Even "normal" people are so on edge these days, it's only a matter of time...)

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Quote:
If you have no aspirations why bother with life?



Very good question.. hmm

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Yeah, like that's a good road to go down...

Sorry, Radio Flyer.

I was looking at your question from a totally different perspective! So, you just want to know without reference to illness; wow, good question, when you look at it that way.

I have NO idea! It seems to me though, as humans, it is intrinsic to respond to desire. Without it, what else would make us drive our species forward (and not just as respects sex)? I think we are built to want. But to want "nothing." As you said: hmmm...

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I hate being in the survival mode and not the living mode

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I can related to that..... I hate the "survival" mode too...I am actually sick of the survival mode ..

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so with out dreams YOU (me - us) are NOTHING.

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hmmmm good point.....