You don't have a life to do anything with. Life lives itself, the self is an illusion and there is no free will or choice (apparently). The end. I hope this post was completely unhelpful.
What do I do with my life?
- Thread starter Drathnoxis
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Have you considered the military? I know, it's bat-squeak crazy, but I've been in close to 3 years now, and I can safely say it was a great choice. I'm living comfortably, my work is enjoyable, and I still have loads of free time. Some of my comrades like to piss and moan about how much life in the Army sucks, but these same guys are barely off their momma's titty, so I don't really put much stock on their words.
Just remember to take the recruiter's words with a healthy handful of salt. They do NOT have your best interests in mind. It's only through sheer luck that I enjoy the MOS I ended up in, and that's only because my comrades make it enjoyable.
Just remember to take the recruiter's words with a healthy handful of salt. They do NOT have your best interests in mind. It's only through sheer luck that I enjoy the MOS I ended up in, and that's only because my comrades make it enjoyable.
We're not so different you and I... and OP, but I didn't quote him because his post was long as balls...krazykidd said:
but yeah life sucks and then you die...
Get good at something you have a drive for, like REALLY GOOD, then find a way to monetize.
There, problem solved, though most of the things you have drive for might require balls to commit to, as they are probably not easy to monetize for, in which case, get some.
PD: Forgot to add, if nothing at all motivates you then you almost certainly have a psychological issue, consult a professional then.
There, problem solved, though most of the things you have drive for might require balls to commit to, as they are probably not easy to monetize for, in which case, get some.
PD: Forgot to add, if nothing at all motivates you then you almost certainly have a psychological issue, consult a professional then.
Here's the thing, you don't have to know what you want to do for the rest of your life right now.
You have plenty of time to shop around.
The thing is, the time to do that is NOW. While you have time, physical youth, some funding, and a place to fall back on if it doesn't work out.
I recommend getting a job, any entry-level job, and sticking with it until you feel you've mastered it. Then get another one. Then get another one. You'll start to realize what you like and dislike. Maybe you'll find something you want to make a career of. Or at least you'll know what NOT to make a career of.
Careers, believe it or not, can be fulfilling. Coworkers and new skills and such.
You have plenty of time to shop around.
The thing is, the time to do that is NOW. While you have time, physical youth, some funding, and a place to fall back on if it doesn't work out.
I recommend getting a job, any entry-level job, and sticking with it until you feel you've mastered it. Then get another one. Then get another one. You'll start to realize what you like and dislike. Maybe you'll find something you want to make a career of. Or at least you'll know what NOT to make a career of.
Careers, believe it or not, can be fulfilling. Coworkers and new skills and such.
Find something you're passionate about and turn it into work. Screw making loads of cash, honestly. If you manage to be wealthy and happy, good for you. Most of us don't. I'm happy, my job doesn't pay me more than what I expressly need to survive on a week-to-week basis.
The worst thing that could ever happen is for you to be stuck with an excessively lucrative position you utterly loathe. So, you know - embrace life. Have fun, and make sure you have a job that gives you the financial means to have fun without guilt-tripping or worrying about bills to pay too often.
If that job *happens* to be what is providing you with a sense of fun - then you've made it. Again, very few of us do make it to that level.
The worst thing that could ever happen is for you to be stuck with an excessively lucrative position you utterly loathe. So, you know - embrace life. Have fun, and make sure you have a job that gives you the financial means to have fun without guilt-tripping or worrying about bills to pay too often.
If that job *happens* to be what is providing you with a sense of fun - then you've made it. Again, very few of us do make it to that level.
I worked my way into a calm job at a niche retailer (record shop directly aimed at stoners), which pays enough for me to live comfortably in a decent rented home and still have enough to work on my hobbies like writing and art. By all definitions, I'm still a useless member of society, but at least I'm no leech.
So yeah, you can indeed find a way to keep on with the nothing attitude without people giving you shit. Of course, you won't meet a ton of people that way, and won't have a lot of room to experiment, but hey, if all you want is for people to leave you to your games, then who gives a fuck?
So yeah, you can indeed find a way to keep on with the nothing attitude without people giving you shit. Of course, you won't meet a ton of people that way, and won't have a lot of room to experiment, but hey, if all you want is for people to leave you to your games, then who gives a fuck?
You like videogames? Try 3D Modeling and/or Animation and use all your accumulated exposure to aesthetics from games to let your creative side blossom. The problem you are describing is literally, exactly, 100% what got me into 3D Modeling and Animation 7 and a half years ago.
Try this free commercial software that is updated bimonthly with a major new release every two years: www.blender.org
With the abundance of online resources
you may one day do this:
Give it a try, you will never know if you like it until you do. Furthermore it is only a 50MB download and while it does require a high-end computer to work at its maximum potential it can still operate very well on something a weak as a notebook.
Try this free commercial software that is updated bimonthly with a major new release every two years: www.blender.org
With the abundance of online resources
([link]https://www.youtube.com/user/AndrewPPrice/videos[/link]-[link]http://www.blender.org/education-help/[/link] And when you are done with those, these two use two completely different software but are incredibly helpful! [link]http://vimeo.com/user3597691[/link]-[link]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aop58CIPEAw[/link]
Give it a try, you will never know if you like it until you do. Furthermore it is only a 50MB download and while it does require a high-end computer to work at its maximum potential it can still operate very well on something a weak as a notebook.
I was in a pretty similar situation, and actually still kinda am, working at a job I hate, live with my parents etc. But I found a course online that I've been plodding along with, and while it's not going to get me awesome qualifications or even great money, it's something I like because it's flexible, enjoyable and fulfilling. Also, it's already opened up opportunities even where I work (which is a freaking warehouse) in that I now help proofread/edit random jobs that come up throughout the year, and help with the catalogue every 3 months as well.
So I guess a good idea would be to just...I dunno, think passively for a while, about what you like. Games, writing, science, whatever, and then try and then just kinda look into that and narrow it down, see if anything in particular catches your attention. For instance I like writing, so I could have done journalism, creative writing, etc.
Anyway, whatever happens, good luck and enjoy life.
So I guess a good idea would be to just...I dunno, think passively for a while, about what you like. Games, writing, science, whatever, and then try and then just kinda look into that and narrow it down, see if anything in particular catches your attention. For instance I like writing, so I could have done journalism, creative writing, etc.
Anyway, whatever happens, good luck and enjoy life.
I find this post hilarious. Like, if I was trying to come up with advice that an out-of-touch one-percenter might give someone, I wish I could think up something as thoroughly smug and unhelpful as that. "Oh, you have no interests? Well, grow some balls and get an interest, and then monetise it. Or see a therapist. Whatever. #Winning"Tanakh said:
Hah, I can think of far worse things that could happen to you than making lots of money. Unless your job literally involves being tortured, you're in a better position than most. If high-paying jobs were easy and fun, they wouldn't be high-paying.IamLEAM1983 said:
First off, your friends and family and teachers aren't in the literature industry; they don't know shit. Becoming a writer in this day and age is very different from how random people imagine it. For example, you have a big advantage in that you know how to use the Internet. Start a blog, read other writer's/editor's/publisher's blogs and comment on them and get involved in the writing/publishing community. With a bit of effort, you'll get your name out there, even without having written a book. If your blog posts are interesting, you'll start to build a "platform." This will put you ahead of 99% of the other bozos since publishers are more likely to recognise your name, and they love it when writers already have the beginnings of a fanbase; means more sales for less advertising cost. Also, reading all the blog posts and articles will teach you a lot about modern writing.AnthrSolidSnake said:
Then write. And re-write, and edit, and find people to critique it, then re-write again. Once you have a polished novel, shop it around to those publishers you've been following. You'll know which ones are likely to want your book, since you've been reading their posts, and you can appeal to exactly what they want. This puts you ahead of 99.999% of everyone else, so that really you're only competing with a handful of other in-the-know aspiring authors. Suddenly, if your novel is decent, your chances are pretty damn good.
This is the "secret" of how "mediocre" books like Twilight get published. Publishers are out there, telling you what they want to see, you just have to listen. They're desperate for good writers, it's just 99.999% of them are off doing their own thing, expecting to succeed without a shred of research into how to write professionally. Then they complain that "it's all down to luck," which is has attained almost mythic status. It's not about luck, it's about knowing exactly what you're doing! It's the difference between taking a shot in the dark wearing a blindfold, and using a high-precision sniper rifle.
Is it really how it is?Drathnoxis said:
Then why are you bringing it up?
There are a few issues that people are embaressed to bring up. There are even a few issues, that people are embarressed to admit to themselves. I may be reading to much into your post but I simply don't buy it, that you're simply not interested in anything except playing games. I'm not saying, you're a bad person or that you definatelly have issues that need to be fixed, I'm saying, that the world is a harsh place and most people are dicks but if you put work in it, it is worth it. Don't shy away from asking for help. Most people offering help aren't dicks.
OP, I know this might sound like I'm having a pop at you, but I'm not. You need a change of attitude. But drive is what you need most of all. Just remember, every penny you spend is one that your parents WORKED for. Now YOU need to work and pay them back for their kindness with independence.
This can only come around with a job, as you said - jobs aren't fun. But they do give you money in exchange for your time, which means you don't just get money for games, you practically earned 'em. Plus you will appreciate any down time all the more.
What kind of job? I hear you ask - my answer is ANY job.
Even getting a lowly job as a badly paid toilet scrubber is better because it shows future employers that you're willing to work and thus opens up new and more exciting employment opportunities. But your best bet is probably administration / office work as an end goal. Plus it does open more romantic doors for you.
But in closing, I'd like to say this. You CAN do it, now go get'em, tiger!
This can only come around with a job, as you said - jobs aren't fun. But they do give you money in exchange for your time, which means you don't just get money for games, you practically earned 'em.
Plus you will appreciate any down time all the more.What kind of job? I hear you ask - my answer is ANY job.
Even getting a lowly job as a badly paid toilet scrubber is better because it shows future employers that you're willing to work and thus opens up new and more exciting employment opportunities. But your best bet is probably administration / office work as an end goal. Plus it does open more romantic doors for you.
But in closing, I'd like to say this. You CAN do it, now go get'em, tiger!
And the propose of writing that was? Can't see any intention to communicate besides caricaturing my post, talk about being smug...James Joseph Emerald said:
Anyway, if you have no interests at all in life it would probably help to seek professional help, can't really see any issue with stating that.
You have to turn your job into your hobby. since you are not interested in getting rich, so just find a work that you may enjoy doing or at least you can avoid most of the time (there are works where "Actual work" is only couple hours a day, the rest you can spend on youtube or something) and play games the rest of the time. sadly you still ahve to find a way to get money to support your, well, life but that is unavoidable. you dont need some big goal to live happily.
Problem with this, you have to be in like top 5 of the world not to need a dayjob after this. Internet gaming really doesnt pay as much as you wish. people do it out of passion or stupid hope that posts like this inspire. unless he really ahs something special, hes way too late on this thrain and wont be able to live off it.FPLOON said:
Haha! I think it's great how your thoughts sound so similar to my own. I also have no passion nor any ambition to seek a passion. I'm young, (18) and I get that I know nothing of the world but I'm also okay with this. No one "has" to be a functioning member of society. I just don't get in the way and continue living for life's sake. You know why I get up in the morning? Because I can, because why not? Now I handed out applications once, got an interview, no job. Then never applied anywhere again. I thought "I can't live with my mom forever (Only because she's quite hard to live with)." I did however finally land a job, through my brother, in a restaurant. Luckily they're good people I work with and make it slightly less of a drag. Is it my career? No. Am I passionate about it? No. Is it incredibly easy and does it pay with money? Yes. And that's all I needed, that's all you need by the sounds of it. I got an apartment and everything I really wanted. I get to live alone, play videogames and binge on junk food to my heart's content. It's also worth mentioning that I dropped out in grade eight due in part to my philosophy of 'If I'm not enjoying life, every moment, why live?'. Now, I only mention any of this because a few people really attacked the "content with doing nothing" part of your philosophy, where as that's basically what I do and did I mention I'm happy off my tits!?
TL;DR
You can do nothing and not be a burden. Get an easy, optionally enjoyable (at least nothing that makes you want to drag your face across pavement) minimum wage paying job.(Did I mention time flys by in a kitchen at work? Not fast food, I suggest a real restaurant.) Just ask people, people you know, if anyone's hiring. Play video games, float by and live the life of a hermetic Jedi like myself.
(Personal Note)
I don't mean to come off as naive. I don't know, maybe five years from now I'll hate myself and think this was a huge mistake but right now but "Basically I'm perfectly content to be exactly where I am."
TL;DR
You can do nothing and not be a burden. Get an easy, optionally enjoyable (at least nothing that makes you want to drag your face across pavement) minimum wage paying job.(Did I mention time flys by in a kitchen at work? Not fast food, I suggest a real restaurant.) Just ask people, people you know, if anyone's hiring. Play video games, float by and live the life of a hermetic Jedi like myself.
(Personal Note)
I don't mean to come off as naive. I don't know, maybe five years from now I'll hate myself and think this was a huge mistake but right now but "Basically I'm perfectly content to be exactly where I am."
I'm 19, no real drive or passion. But I'm seriously looking a job that actually pays (done a lot of volunteer work since finishing school) because I hate the idea of living with my mum any longer than realistically possible.
I mean, I love her more than anything, but I want some space to call my own you know? Even a single rented room. Something that I've accomplished through being, as you so put it, a productive member of society.
But I know how you feel so well, If I didn't feel so strongly about wanting to move out I'd be in a very similar position. The best advice I can give is what everyone says. Find a drive. Even the smallest thing, make some sort of goal and go for it. You'll probably end up somewhere wildly different than you planned, but you'll get somewhere. And from the fact that you asked the question it seems that you know you can't just do nothing forever.
I mean, I love her more than anything, but I want some space to call my own you know? Even a single rented room. Something that I've accomplished through being, as you so put it, a productive member of society.
But I know how you feel so well, If I didn't feel so strongly about wanting to move out I'd be in a very similar position. The best advice I can give is what everyone says. Find a drive. Even the smallest thing, make some sort of goal and go for it. You'll probably end up somewhere wildly different than you planned, but you'll get somewhere. And from the fact that you asked the question it seems that you know you can't just do nothing forever.
I was giving you the opportunity to recant and not seem like such an insensitive blowhard, while indicating to the OP that he shouldn't let your crass dismissal of his problem make him feel bad.Tanakh said:
But I suppose if by "professional help" you mean a career councillor (giving you the benefit of the doubt), then I guess you're somewhat right. Getting some advice from a professional wouldn't hurt.
I went through a very similar experience (except my parents kicked me out at 16 so I hardly had time to get comfortable).Drathnoxis said:
I wasn't satisfied with where I was (or I could only be satisfied when I could distract myself from worrying about it - like through playing video games...), but that wasn't because I ever felt like I was somehow obliged to 'be a productive member of society', more so it was because my life felt empty and meaningless, and I hated feeling indolent in general.
I took a long break from school, struggled to find some career path I could tolerate, did some traveling...but basically what I needed was to take the time to sit down and really earnestly reflect on my life and what I wanted out of it (separate from any question of career).
Long story short, I decided that I wanted to open and take part in a dialogue about exactly *this* problem - the problem of what we should all be doing with our lives. To this end I went back to school to study philosophy, and while there I met some amazing people who encouraged me further along that path - and I'm now a grad student on my way to becoming a professor (which by the way, is something I never would have imagined myself doing back when I first entered college - I wanted school to be over with a.s.a.p., not live there).
So it turns out I don't really have an answer yet because I am still looking - in fact, ironically, I'm potentially making a career out of looking. But I have taken at least one step toward finding an answer; I'm putting myself in a position (both in grad school and in my future job as a professor) to really engage people on questions like this (which really leads down the deepest of rabbit holes you can imagine), and in the meantime I'll be working a job that I might actually enjoy - or at least will be infinitely more tolerable than about any other option I can think of (only because I can use it to further a great purpose/desire for my life).
So my advice to you is to take the time you have now to seriously reflect, and seriously (and critically) engage those you trust about this question, including why they made the choices they did of what to do, etc., so that you can figure out what you really want in a broader sense than career-wise (the career should be chosen in light of what you find, not before). Until you have a sort of epiphany that gives you a new sense of direction and the motivation to go with it, I recommend you *not* go back to school - you will need that motivation to get through it. If you can get by without working for now, and your family isn't breathing down your neck about getting a job, then take advantage of that, but really use the time rather than wasting it away on games (this coming from someone who tended to do just that).
You might be surprised how much your desires can change, or that you had ones you didn't realize you did; it's totally possible to go from being someone who cares about nothing in particular to someone who has strong, clear convictions, and feels motivated toward noble goals for good reasons.
Ultimately, no one can hand you a ready-made answer - at least, not one that you'll be satisfied with - you need to work it out through your own will, and with the committed help of people you trust. Look back on your life thus far, and then to your future, with a confident attitude, and harness a genuine will to self-improvement, and you'll be on your way. It may not be easy (I almost gave up on life before I had the epiphany which set me in a new direction), but it's worth seriously applying yourself to.
P.S. Unless you have a personal relationship with a career counselor, I would not bother going to one, or wasting your time with 'career interest' tests. I was entertaining the thought of working with nature at the time, so those told me I should have been a vet. Yeah, not exactly how it worked out, and I'm glad it didn't, thanks.
I would genuinely advise you to join the military.
I would also point out that you don't have to be a soldier either... there are loads and loads of jobs that allow you to use your intellect, or to learn a skill or trade, and still get taught life lessons. You will emerge a better trained, better motivated individual. You will meet loads of people who become lifelong friends. You will obtain a sense of belonging, and from that, personal pride. And ultimately, after just a few years of training, learning, getting paid lots and having fun you get the chance to assimilate those skills and that lifestyle into civvy street, and you will enjoy life more because of it.
Also... there are lots of gamers in the forces. We are out there and we do love our games. And due to our accommodation settings, especially for the enlisted guys, there is a lot of scope for split screening and link playing!
I would also point out that you don't have to be a soldier either... there are loads and loads of jobs that allow you to use your intellect, or to learn a skill or trade, and still get taught life lessons. You will emerge a better trained, better motivated individual. You will meet loads of people who become lifelong friends. You will obtain a sense of belonging, and from that, personal pride. And ultimately, after just a few years of training, learning, getting paid lots and having fun you get the chance to assimilate those skills and that lifestyle into civvy street, and you will enjoy life more because of it.
Also... there are lots of gamers in the forces. We are out there and we do love our games. And due to our accommodation settings, especially for the enlisted guys, there is a lot of scope for split screening and link playing!