What's the point of life?

I'm in a huge rut here. It seems all I do is eat, sleep, work out, and study study study. I literally do nothing else. And those things don't bring as much joy to me as they used to. My life has become a constant line and I'm not sure that's a good or bad thing. I wish I could get the highs I used to get before(without needing any of the, um, bad stuff) Honestly, my new years resolution is to find that joy in life from the things I do, maybe a few new simple pleasures.
I feel so OLD. DAMN. 22 years and I've lost my thrill for life. The next 40-50 years better bring something new...

Help me out here, y'all. What am I going to do...

And I'm 23...been this way since I was 18. :(

It really sucks.

I remember saying that, and having people laugh at me. Now, I promise not to laugh at you, but really. Life doesn't even begin in full force until you're in your 30's.

Be sure to take some time from your studies to have fun. Once you're out of school, NOBODY cares what grades you made. Of all the things I've studied (and believe me, that's a lot of stuff), the most valuable things I learned from people, not textbooks.

Life isn't about thrills - it's about building your own funhouse! :)

18-25 is a rut for just about everyone. I'm 36, went through the crucible more times than I care to count in those intervening years. Had all the bad runs you can imagine - no love life, no cash, worked for family 70 hours a week, bored etc...

Went to college, suffered through crushing student loans and classes that seemed useless at the time (algebra has still proven useless) that later made their benefits known.

Once you get out into the workplace it changes. It's hard, but it's a different kind of hard. Try to embrace the challenges. Find that one creative thing that makes you relaxed and or happy and or passionate, and do it, often.

I admire you for your hard work. Keep eating, working out, sleeping and studying. It will pay off. You've got a good foundation going.

I experienced the greatest joys in my life during the early 40's. Heh. }(

Metal is much better than electronics.

Fabricate!!

Life is what you make it - I felt bad at age 22 but then I turned it around . I learned that I had to find joy in everything that I do . Everyday starts to become the same but you have to turn it around and crack yourself up when it gets boring and lonesome . I don't know where to start - I feel like sharing all the crazy stuff that I do to keep myself happy .

I'm 37 and my life is spent working two full-time jobs, commuting between work and home, sleeping, doing laundry, running errands, cleaning, and squeezing in what little time I can for myself in the few hours left after all of that. My normal schedule is 7 days a week, and I typically am afforded only 1 day off per month. Life as it is often looked like a bleak continuum of drudgery, as I anticipated living like this for at least the next 3-4 years.

However, in October I decided to move back to my home state. Accordingly I'll have new opportunities opening to me, and I finally have some hope again.


As to you, you mentioned studying, so it seems you are in school. Therefore I would think that within a few years you will be graduating and be able to get a job in your chosen field. That should bring you some change. For the time being though, you might want to get together with current/old friends, or try to meet some new ones. It sounds like you have anhedonia setting in, and relationships with others can be very helpful in keeping that at bay. Even if you don't have a lot of time on your hands, simple get togethers for dinner (everyone has to eat) or coffee can go a long way at lifting your spirits.

Finding new hobbies and changing existing routines can also be of great assistance. Vary your workouts, join a study group (which can blend studying and socializing), learn how to do something you have always wanted to. Just pull yourself out of the rut.

Best wishes and Metta to you CD. :hug:

Sometimes things start to bloom later in life for people. It did for me. At 22 I had dropped out of school and flunked out of school, ended up in a BAD marriage and had no money. By 30 I had my Master's degree, and by 35 my doctorate. And I just got married. Maybe it will just take some more time.

and i am unsure as to what level you are at, or how far you intend to go, but getting my degree was a huge catharsis (after three years worth of breaks) - i got an envelope in the mail, and it said specifically: "DO NOT BEND" and the fucker that delivered the mail had folded it in half to get it in the mailbox (big crease in the diploma) - anyway, i felt like i spent all this time, effort, and money, to get this piece of paper, and then i realized - shit, i got it, no-one can take it away, and no-one else in my industry has it, i am THE fucking man. AND THAT WAS THE POINT WHERE IT WAS ALL WORTH IT.

but seriously, is there any way for you to take a break? sometimes you need to do it.

it might be a good idea, take a 1/2 year off, go somewhere, do something completely different like work construction, can yams, teach english in Japan (there are school programs to do that, and they have living allowances, and salary)

get away, just for awhile.

it puts life in perspective. whattya think?

Helped me look at the big picture without being in the picture . Went far away to Europe to do so .

and what?

lived with my German boyfriend , kicked depression to the curb - and thought about me for a while . I came back to the States in 2004 a totally different and BETTER person . I had a positive outlook on life and also the ability to speak another language . Yes I did this - whenever I tell people that , they can't believe it. I did'nt tell my family I was going until the day before my flight . It was something I had to do - I needed to get out . Now I am 25 and everything is smoothing out .

Hanover if anyone wants to get technical . Although I lived in a smaller village in the Hanover area near a lake called Mardorf .

i just looked at a map online, i've never been there, but it is on my list of places to go.

Alsace is first on my list. One of my uncles traced the family name back to that area.

I know that sound cliche but I really miss the food . Not only the German cuisine but the Turkish and Greek food that I would eat while over there .

places in the city?

you have got me seriously craving some dolma right about now!

that, and i have a bottle of retsina, but it is too late to open it: gotta work tomorrow, and all that.

There was a Greek restaurant within walking distance from the village I lived in - and there were different places in the city where you could get Turkish food - my mouth is watering now thinking about the food .

You've pretty much have done it all by that age. Just ride it out for the next 60 years. It doesn't get better, but your bones will hurt more. :)

Kidding. It gets better. The 20s are a drag. The 30s rock and the 40s are even better. There is too much to think about while in your 20s, but really... it isn't worth the worry. Everything falls into place eventually if you want it to or not. It is just life and you aren't going through anything that many of us go through. I say, just sit back and enjoy your 20s, they won't come back.


I'm 41 and I still get a kick out of what comes along here and there.

Though I've heard you've got racing stripes on your walker. :D

And I wear my Depends proudly (and warmly).

Not that there's anything wrong with that.