I just need to get this off my chest because it’s been weighing on me. My daily routine feels like a never-ending loop of the same things, over and over again. Every day blends into the next with nothing exciting to break the cycle. I’ve tried to change things up, but even when I do, 90% of the time it still feels dull and uninspiring.
And it’s not like I haven’t tried. Over the last months and the past year, I’ve done a lot to shake things up: I got into rock climbing, went diving (though I have to travel further for that), tried arts, took different classes, learned a new language (Spanish), explored different coffee shops and bars. I’m doing so much, and yet, no matter what I try, everything just feels bland. The excitement fades fast, and I’m left feeling like I’m back at square one.
Honestly, I don’t need a doctor to tell me I’m depressed — I’m pretty sure I am, in some way. Even though it might not seem like it from what I’ve written, I genuinely love life. I just think it’s fair to say that I found more joy in life 10 years ago than I do now.
On top of that, the state of the world is messing with my head. The climate disaster is f*cking me up, too. It’s like this dark cloud that’s always looming in the back of my mind, with burning forests here, floods there, hurricanes here, and just constant environmental devastation. It’s a relentless reminder that things aren’t getting better. Technology isn’t helping either. I used to enjoy AI and new tech, but it’s gotten so overwhelming. Five years ago, I’d laugh at my mom for falling for fake calls or texts. Now I have to look for weird flaws in fingers, mouths, and eyes just to figure out if something is real or AI-generated.
And look at Flux — it’s just insane. The rapid advancement in AI tools like that makes it even harder to discern what’s real. It’s not just the fake calls and texts anymore; now we’re dealing with sophisticated AI that can generate incredibly realistic but entirely fabricated content. It feels like the line between reality and simulation is blurring more every day, and it’s exhausting to keep up with.
There are times when I honestly wish I wasn’t even born a human. Like, I’d rather be a bird or something else, just to escape this endless loop of dullness. And right now, I kind of wish I didn’t live here either. I know, when I go on vacation everything feels fine, and those moments are great. But I also know that the countries I visit aren’t some utopia either — they struggle too. It’s just easier to ignore when you’re only there for a little while.
And then there’s the feeling that everyone around me is so focused on themselves. It’s like people are caught up in their own lives, and I get it — life is hard for everyone. But it just adds to the isolation. No real connection, just people in their own bubbles.
Maybe I’ve just lost touch with what makes life exciting, or maybe I need something I haven’t figured out yet. But honestly, right now, life feels bland, and I’m not sure how to break out of it.
Anyone else ever feel like this? Or am I just going through the motions on my own?
What do you do that feels meaningful to you? While hobbies may be enjoyable, they’re probably not the void in you that needs filling. Do you feel like you’re part of something bigger? That you’re making a difference or helping other people or society? I think this sense of meaning, or rather, the lack of it, is the key issue with our current generation, especially among young men.
I used to feel the same way. I had a good-paying and stable job, but it felt like a complete waste of time, like I wasn’t actually accomplishing anything. I’d finish work on one building and then just start over with the next. No one ever told me I was doing a good job or that I was being useful. Then I started my own business, and although I’m essentially doing the same work, my attitude has completely changed. I went from working on industrial buildings to working in people’s homes. They call me when they have a problem, I show up, fix it, and I can see the visible satisfaction and gratitude on their faces. That gives me an immense sense of meaning. Like I’m actually doing my part, like people need me.
What I often tell people like you is to grab a plastic bag and go out and fill it with trash. I guarantee you’ll feel great about yourself afterward. Picking trash is just a metaphor but also something you can actually go and do. Could be other similar thing as well. You can’t solve the world’s big problems alone, but you can still make a difference.