[wlui]

Hello community,

This is my first post, and first time seeking advice and talking about this with anybody. I am a financially independent 21 yo male in college. I thought it would be more appropriate to post this under career than school as it deals with a broader portion of my life.

In the past 2 years or so, I've realized that I've gradually become more unmotivated in life, to the point... well ...to the point where I am here today with the awareness of my problems and the potential of them. Not only has it been the lack of motivation but a lack of caring as well. I am currently serving a 1 year suspension from the university for cheating. I am not making the efforts that I should be in finding a secure career path. I am living off student loans. And a part of me knows that if this continues on, once I get out into the real world. I'm going to be as good as homeless. and lost. Perhaps I have taken the first steps in realizing my problems, But the bigger picture is this: although I am aware of all this, for some reason I can't make myself feel the urgency of this problem, I can't make myself feel remorseful for my failures like a normal person would be. I feel emotion-less, almost. (contradictory i know)

I want to care again and I want to be motivated again. I've actually tried several substances, with the hopes of stirring some sort of mental instability that would somehow slap me in the face telling me that I need to do something with my life. What was I thinking, nothing's working. So I'm here today, seeking advice from anyone who's felt this way before, anyone who's dealt with or been involved in a similar situation.

Please.

[Piraeus]

Hi wlui. I am sorry you are going through this. Welcome to PC. We are glad you found us. It sounds to me, like you are going through some depression. Can you go to the student counselor on campus? I think you already know what needs to be done. You just need a little push in the right direction.So, check out the depression forum. Good luck.

Piraeus

[Perna]

Originally Posted by wlui

I want to care again and I want to be motivated again. I've actually tried several substances, with the hopes of stirring some sort of mental instability that would somehow slap me in the face telling me that I need to do something with my life.

Hi, wlui, welcome to PsychCentral. I don't think you have ever been motivated; cheating sounds like another "substance abuse" hope for getting something "exciting" going.

If I were you, I'd go to the library and just start reading widely. I'd take notes/start a little journal on the subject you read on and what interests you. Read and watch yourself reading.

Do you like reading? Do you like researching subjects? What subjects do you like most? What questions do you have/ask? How do you follow links when you are web surfing? Each page has X options and each of those options have another X options, etc. What patterns do you see in how you approach the world?

You can't just get "motivated" without an object; motivation is more a verb/action and it's a little bit like saying, "I can't get hungry". First see what "food" is available and get to thinking about that food (rather than just eating junk constantly) and the motivation/hunger to go out and find that food will rise naturally.

[wlui]

Originally Posted by Perna

You can't just get "motivated" without an object; motivation is more a verb/action and it's a little bit like saying, "I can't get hungry". First see what "food" is available and get to thinking about that food (rather than just eating junk constantly) and the motivation/hunger to go out and find that food will rise naturally.

You're right, come to think of it. I don't think I was ever motivated. I don't think I have ever held a passion for something that's truly driven me. I have never been "hungry for food" I have always just ate because I was told to do so and that I needed it to survive (secure a good future, live a good life, etc).

I need to a find purpose...

[Perna]

I like this book as a start: Amazon.com: I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It: Barbara Sher