No Motivation for work or goals for a career

Hi, I'm new and I am very depressed and in a large rut that I created for myself. I have quit my last 5 or 6 jobs and I just recently quit a full-time job in a different city that I didn't have that heart to do with no friends in the city and working at a call-centre.

I unfortunately find myself with absolutely no motivation to find a job, I did apply to a couple seasonal jobs last week but this week I can't bring myself to do anything. I moved back in with family because I have no income, I broke up with my partner, and if I wasn't there right now I would have attempted suicide again.

My main problem besides quitting when things get tough is that I do not know what I want out of work or out of life in general. I don't have any skills, I don't have any drive or any ambition. I am utterly bored with life and with myself. I have been trying to think hard about what I want, but honestly, nothing comes to mind. I dont have social supports, other than my mom taking me in (although I fear my welcome is running out fast) and very very limited shallow connections with a couple friends.

How does one find out what they want from work and from life?

I'm sorry that you are struggling to find your place in the world. I think life is not a simple plan for most of us. I guess the dream job to be something that I enjoy doing, so it doesn't feel like work so much. Find what gives you joy, and then figure out how to have a career involving that activity. Taking a class seems to help people along a career path.
When I'm really depressed, I force myself to be grateful for everything. I really take a deep look at everything in my life and give thanks for that. Even giving thanks for my sadness because without that, I couldn't really know how awesome gladness feels.
I wish you a smooth ride ahead, and I think one day you're going to look back at this struggle and see how meaningful it was for your growth.

Hello, coconut jelly, and welcome to Psych Central! What do you enjoy doing? What are your hobbies or interests? Have you taken any college classes?

I can relate so much to this... I'm really sorry you're struggling I am bored most of the day, too, and have no motivation whatsoever..

I wish you good luck

I can relate. But in my situation I am taking care of my mother.

Your struggles make me wonder if you are seeking work that doesn't fit you. It is nearly impossible for some people to do jobs they have no interest in. I went through that. My work record was poor and humiliating. Attendance and motivation hasn't been a problem, once I found work that was challenging, rewarding, interesting and appropriate for my personality traits and abilities.

It is hard for some of us to figure out what we want to do. Some of us take longer. We are all different. I didn't find my calling until two years ago, when I was 36 years old. Please don't give up.

There are other ways to gain skills besides working in customer service. What are your interests and talents? If you don't know ask family and/or close friends for feedback. Maybe you can list all your traits and interests on paper to help see who you are. What about asking your contacts to help you find more enjoyable work? Are you willing to try something different? Do you want to go to school? Do any of the skilled trades interest you? What about career counseling? Provincial and city employment programs may also help.

I've been there as well. I got so tired of running away when things got tough that I quit doing things so that I wouldn't need to run away. Then I had nothing but work.

The one piece of advice I have about work is don't let it be your entire life. Find something that you don't hate and hopefully pays enough to live on. If you're lucky to find something that you enjoy doing so much the better. But then your life should happen between 5 and 9, not 9 and 5. I don't always do that, so take this advice for what it's worth.

With the time you have when you're not working, do anything else. Read, watch movies, take classes. Here in Denver is a school that has classes on topics from mediation to cooking to travel to art. It's easy to find new things to try. And if those are things that interest you then over time you'll start to find the things that give your life meaning. Maybe you can turn that into a career, or maybe it's just for you.

Not everyone is going to have a job or career that gives them fulfillment and that's OK. Just try to find something just for you. That, is your thing and brings you happiness.

Hang in there!

Hello coconut_jelly: I see this was your first post here on PC & you haven't posted anything else. So I don't know if you're still around. But I read your post & felt compelled to reply. Perhaps it's because I always disliked what I did for a living. (Plus, what I did do, I was mostly not very good at.)

You know, from my perspective, what's important to focus on first is the fact that you're depressed. Depression is an illness that saps one's strength along with one's motivation to do anything... work or anything else for that matter. So what I would like to suggest to you is that until you deal with your depression, figuring out what type of work you'd like to do may well be difficult. It's like trying to figure out how to win a race with a lead weight chained to your foot.

You didn't mention, in your post, whether or not you see a therapist. I think perhaps that may be something to consider if you're not already doing so. There are ways to figure out what one wants to do as far as a career goes. But until you deal with the underlying depression that is weighing you down, I doubt any work / career options are going to peak your interest.

So... since this was your first post here on PC... welcome to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! I hope you find the time you spend here to be of benefit.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. There are many knowledgeable & caring members here. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!

hello coconut jelly maybe you are depressed and some talk therapy would help

I am also caregiver for mom. If you ever want to talk, I'd enjoy it.

i suffer from depression and schitzo, i can't work because of epilepsy and am afraid to go out of the house because of it. find something you like doing and you will never have to work at all.