No real aspirations, no huge interests, yet don't feel depressed?

For years now I've been really confused about this.

Whenever I talk to people they all seem to have goals in mind, but I don't. That's not to say that there's nothing I want to do, but my attitude is like "If it happens it happens, if not I'm fine with that too." There is no drive, no motivation to really pursue things because it really isn't of life-defining importance to me.

People also tend to have interests they're really passionate about. I do have interests, and I'll sometimes do things with those interests, but there's nothing that I'm into to the degree others seem to be. For example, when I see sports fans going nuts I can't understand that at all. Not because I'm not into sports, but because I never experience such strong emotion. Or other examples, like when someone pours their money into building an old car, or spending many hours a day practicing piano. I don't get why they do it, my interests just aren't that strong.

Whenever I say this people always say "Maybe you're depressed", but I don't feel at all depressed. I actually feel pretty satisfied with most of my days, and imagining 50 more years of doing the same thing doesn't cause me any stress or disappointment. I like my life. It is calm, peaceful, and I feel pretty free.

However, this is a problem because since I lack any major interests, real goals, or motivation to pursue the things I do like, there is even less motivation to do the things I don't like to do. This has a negative impact on my financial situation. From the time I was a child I struggled with this. My teachers always used to tell my parents that if I'd just apply myself, I could have straight-A's. It just never mattered to me though, and that didn't change as I grew up.

There have only ever been a few things in my life that I put a lot of effort into, and I just can't understand why I have such a hard time caring about what we're supposed to care about.

It even extends into my personal relationships. I put absolutely zero effort into relationships because they just don't matter to me. Even when I'm isolated for lengthy periods of time I'm never bothered by it, whereas other people when alone like that describe sinking into deep depressive states or feeling like they're going crazy.

In the past it was suggested that I may be schizoid, but I was never officially diagnosed or anything. Honestly that would make more sense to me than anything, but I don't see what the point of going to someone when my issues aren't about myself, but rather my financial state.

I guess I don't really know where I'm going with this. I've tried motivation tools before, and deadlines/penalties/punishments, but none of it has made a difference.

I don't think it is a "problem" that you do not have any interests, goals, motivation if you are not unhappy with that. I think you will or will not pursue activities to help with your financial situation over time if you see it as getting in the way of your calm and peaceful life? It sounds like you have to be pretty dependent on others and that might not always be there so life could get more uncomfortable which you might not want? We do have to eat and have our own bed to sleep in and you might want to think of ways to protect your calm, peaceful life where you are as free as you like. Other people giving you money for necessities or not having money to get the few things you desire could get to be a problem for you in the future. Maybe you'd like to address that so it is less likely to happen.

Even though you don't think you're depressed you may want to talk with a therapist for advice on how to overcome your lack of interest in things.
I do suffer from depression and also struggle with the not knowing what I want or having something I'm passionate about (with the exception of Notre Dame's Fighting Irish football team ).

It's not that uncommon these days, but just because you aren't sad doesn't mean it's not some mild form of depression. We are so overstimulated these days, it seems hard to find our niche.

But the thing is, we're overstimulated by unachievable concepts. Like if you aren't a movie star or pop star you aren't anything. I remember when Barbie was a doctor and a lawyer ... now she's just a party girl. Writers? Heck, if you aren't Snookie or Stephen King or J.K. Rowling nobody wants to publish you. Scientist? They're those evil guys that keep telling us things we don't want to believe.

So not only may it be a sign of mild depression, it's also a symptom of a larger societal issue.

I cannot say if you're depressed or not but maybe you just like to keep things simple? I totally agree with Webgoji. We live in a society (in my humble opinion) where we feel like we have to be "Successful." And we have to have the material things or the diplomas and degrees to prove our success. I look at my son who was always under pressure in school for doing something with his life because he was a straight A student, had perfect attendance, he always tested as "Gifted" on those tests but refused to participate in the gifted programs they offered him. He turned down some of his teachers' advice to apply for scholarships and go to the university and instead attended a 2 year vocational school. He is now 26, owns his own small home, drives a decent used car, has his sports car (also used) for fun. He likes girls but doesn't seem to particularly feel the need to have a girlfriend. He is not a millionaire but has more than enough money in the bank, and he's perfectly happy.