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Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by mouzogu on Friday July 22, 2016 @10:18AM (#12143630)
I'm 32 and I've had similar thoughts at least since I was 27. A kind of existential crisis tinged with deep boredom and non-clinical depression.

I've found 3 things that have helped me deal with my depression/boredom:

1. Have things to look forward to:

Always, always find things to anticipate and look forward to in the short and long term. Whether it is something small, like a treat at the end of the day or something big like a vacation or short trip away.

2. Side projects & working towards self-employment.

Ultimately, the aim is to be the master of my own time. I no longer have to wake up at 8am because I HAVE to but because I (may) WANT to. This for me is so important. To be the master of my time. I'm 32 now, if I'm lucky to live to 70 you can say that I have about 14-20 years of productive time in me. I want to use it for myself.

3. Spirituality.

I know that this isn't for everyone. Personally, I find religion and spirituality helps me to cope with every day issues. It gives me strength where I might otherwise just find a gaping void of pointless-ness into which to fall.

I hope this helps you. As mentioned by another comment try to avoid alcohol. You won't find the answers you need a the bottom of a bottle.

Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by albemuth on Friday July 22, 2016 @05:09PM (#12146789)

  > 3. Spirituality.
  > I know that this isn't for everyone.
Or philosophy, for the non-religious. If you know nothing about it (like myself) I suggest starting here (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwxNMb28XmpfEr2zNKQfU...) then pick up a book or two.
Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by shivaodin on Friday July 22, 2016 @10:35AM (#12143751)
Do you have a family? A family, an SO or kids is the best way to understand life through other perspectives.
Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by dpark on Friday July 22, 2016 @03:52PM (#12146305)
Getting married and/or having kids is a terrible way to try to address existential boredom. A spouse will not give your life purpose. Kids probably won't either, and if it turns out that you are unhappy and resentful after your failed attempt to solve your boredom, you can easily screw up your kids' lives (and screw up your own life, because kids are not a short-term commitment).

Have kids because you want them. Not because you think they'll give your life purpose.

Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by humanrebar on Friday July 22, 2016 @04:51PM (#12146670)
> Getting married and/or having kids is a terrible way to try to address existential boredom.

Starting or growing a family is a terrible way to solve problems.

If interaction with kids seems like a good use of time, start by volunteering with mentoring organizations like Big Brother/Big Sister or Boys and Girls Clubs. Or help out with the kids programs at church/temple/synagogue if you're into organized religion.

If that pans out well, consider babysitting for foster families. Foster parents do incredible amounts of good for society and get run into the ground in the process. It seems simple, but giving them a night off here and there is a huge help.

If that goes well, then maybe consider adopting or starting a family. At any rate, there are a lot of young people out there that could use positive (especially male!) role models.

Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by anysz on Friday July 22, 2016 @02:08PM (#12145455)
Stack Overflow is definitely the best way to understand life through other perspectives
Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by eatbitseveryday on Friday July 22, 2016 @02:39PM (#12145709)
SO = Significant Other, i.e., a partner.
Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by ak39 on Saturday July 23, 2016 @03:24PM (#12150683)
It makes more sense calling Stack Overflow "SO" than calling your spouse that.
Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by eatbitseveryday on Saturday July 23, 2016 @03:45PM (#12150740)
Depends who spends more time with you in your life ;) I'm with my SO more than I read the website, for sure (which is minimal or rarely).

Also, the term "significant other" can mean more than spouse (which implies marriage): [boy|girl]friend, life partner, close-friend-kind-of-person, etc.

Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by mouzogu on Friday July 22, 2016 @12:30PM (#12144593)
No, but I plan to start one soon. It's true that having children gives you a new perspective on life.
Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by dpark on Friday July 22, 2016 @03:57PM (#12146326)
Most people don't find meaning in the raising of children. It changes your life a lot, but if you feel like your life is aimless and you're just on autopilot, you'll probably feel the same after having kids. It's rare for a person to define their purpose in terms of their kids and be happy about that. Most people still want to have a self-actualized purpose.
Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by selmat on Friday July 22, 2016 @03:06PM (#12145918)
They (children) also change your priorities (...and time, plans, budget...whole life)
Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by peatmoss on Friday July 22, 2016 @04:11PM (#12146418)
> Spirituality

I rediscovered being a member of a dojo. Combines some elements of spirituality / higher purpose together with some pretty awesome exercise endorphins. It's like church, but without the god thing.

Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by humanrebar on Friday July 22, 2016 @04:47PM (#12146642)
> It's like church, but without the god thing.

That's like saying it's like an omelette without eggs or soup without water.

Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by chadgeidel on Friday July 22, 2016 @05:35PM (#12146941)
"Going to church" is much more than worship of a god-being. Being part of a community is important. Church helps with that.
Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by peatmoss on Sunday July 24, 2016 @01:38PM (#12153988)
This is absolutely what I mean--having a group that cuts across a different set of sociodemographic characteristics than I otherwise encounter regularly. The shared struggle of the whole thing also makes it a pretty close-knit group.
Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by fsloth on Friday July 22, 2016 @07:53PM (#12147615)
There is a higher purpose involved, it's just not a deity. A church is a society wound around a higher purpose.
Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by lgieron on Saturday July 23, 2016 @06:00AM (#12148982)
You might not be aware of the fact that there ARE godless religions - for example buddism.
Re:Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life by rch on Friday July 22, 2016 @05:43PM (#12146977)
> omelette without eggs or soup without water

Those sound like interesting recipes to me. Water is fine though, as long as it isn't fluoridated.