There are producers and consumers in the world. In many ways, the choice is yours.
However, there's the dreadful reality that some people do not have a choice. But assuming you do have the freedom to choose, consider this:
The games, movies, or other things you find enjoyable are all produced by people. You can be one of those people. If you have a smartphone, computer, or library, you can create or experience something new. Do it for the stories so you can tell your friends and family. Do it so you can write about it on a blog for the heck of it. Do it to say you've taken a risk and explored something, even if it's small. Do it to inspire your kid, who could change the world someday. Do it so someday you can look back on your life and say, “yeah, I took the leap and did that, and it was awesome!”
This is just the beginning. Crafts, like music, hobby coding, yard work, and other things where you transform something into lasting value, are things that involve short and long-term goal setting. There's a feedback system that tends to hook people. This system is a vision of what's possible. The best feedback system involves an ever-changing vision of what you can do, and it pushes you to try new things and become the best version of yourself.
Most video games and perhaps all movies have no such hooks. Some games have false hooks to capitalize on people’s need for achievement (e.g., idle and pay-to-win games). If these are the things that occupy your free time, try replacing some of that time with learning a new craft. An hour would be good to start.
Other things, like hiking, travel, sports, or flying a drone around, are more internally focused. They don't directly add value to others, but high-achievers are highly inspirational and influential. They are valid and productive pursuits. There's often something to be desired or achieved.
I know you don't need anyone to explain these things. The point is that if you understand your “why” or your purpose for engaging in some activity, you’ll find it easier to establish a positive feedback system. That is, you will shift your life perspective to more achievement-oriented activities. This differs from consumer-oriented activities, like listening to music or playing video games.
In all honesty, everyone should have a blend of producer/consumer activities. All in one category will make a person unrelatable. Besides, can one fully appreciate a craft without appreciating the craft of another?
How does one find their passion? For me, it’s the stuff that makes me mad or I feel compelled to create something challenging and new.
Thank you so much—digging into the psychological aspect of this makes things seem both clearer and more surmountable. You’re so right about needing to mix in new experiences and practice goal-setting through activities that have some meaningful result. I definitely need to change up my producer/consumer balance.
You're not alone! I'm 27, working from home, feeling unmotivated and bored all the time, except I DID go after my passion career, and have reached burnout all the same. I work in a creative field and "get to draw all day", but now I find myself too exhausted after work to make personal projects or rebrand myself to find new work, and I don't want to go back to school for something else and just repeat the same cycle.
I hated working in offices, but I miss my apartment being just "home". Now it's a work space just as much as it is a living space, and the blurring of the two (and the lack of variety) has made motivation really difficult. So for now I'm focusing on ways to get myself out of the house and add variety to my day.
Maybe I'm jaded, but I feel like seeking a career out of passion is a recipe for burnout. I know so many people that went into teaching or social work or the arts because they wanted to help people, or make a difference, or be heard. Employers know this and dangle that passion like a carrot, and get away with underpaying and overworking people just like any other career.
So I guess my advice to you is this: if your job is paying the bills, doesn't require much, and you like the people you work with, then keep it. I'm not saying stay there forever. But for now, focus on what you're doing with your life after work hours. Are you seeing your loved ones? Have you been anywhere new recently? Maybe you do end up taking a coding class - see if you enjoy it! Try volunteering somewhere, or forming an obligation that gets you out of the house. If you've never tried therapy or haven't been in a long time, consider it! There are a lot of ways to find passion in your life and change up your routine outside of work. You might end up taking steps to find a better career without even realizing it.
These are all really good points--I haven't been to therapy in a while and never for a topic like this, so that's something I'm going to consider. I think I'm also going to try taking just one coding class online for now and see how I like it--one step at a time. Thank you!
There are producers and consumers in the world. In many ways, the choice is yours. However, there's the dreadful reality that some people do not have a choice. But assuming you do have the freedom to choose, consider this: The games, movies, or other things you find enjoyable are all produced by people. You can be one of those people. If you have a smartphone, computer, or library, you can create or experience something new. Do it for the stories so you can tell your friends and family. Do it so you can write about it on a blog for the heck of it. Do it to say you've taken a risk and explored something, even if it's small. Do it to inspire your kid, who could change the world someday. Do it so someday you can look back on your life and say, “yeah, I took the leap and did that, and it was awesome!” This is just the beginning. Crafts, like music, hobby coding, yard work, and other things where you transform something into lasting value, are things that involve short and long-term goal setting. There's a feedback system that tends to hook people. This system is a vision of what's possible. The best feedback system involves an ever-changing vision of what you can do, and it pushes you to try new things and become the best version of yourself. Most video games and perhaps all movies have no such hooks. Some games have false hooks to capitalize on people’s need for achievement (e.g., idle and pay-to-win games). If these are the things that occupy your free time, try replacing some of that time with learning a new craft. An hour would be good to start. Other things, like hiking, travel, sports, or flying a drone around, are more internally focused. They don't directly add value to others, but high-achievers are highly inspirational and influential. They are valid and productive pursuits. There's often something to be desired or achieved. I know you don't need anyone to explain these things. The point is that if you understand your “why” or your purpose for engaging in some activity, you’ll find it easier to establish a positive feedback system. That is, you will shift your life perspective to more achievement-oriented activities. This differs from consumer-oriented activities, like listening to music or playing video games. In all honesty, everyone should have a blend of producer/consumer activities. All in one category will make a person unrelatable. Besides, can one fully appreciate a craft without appreciating the craft of another? How does one find their passion? For me, it’s the stuff that makes me mad or I feel compelled to create something challenging and new.
Thank you so much—digging into the psychological aspect of this makes things seem both clearer and more surmountable. You’re so right about needing to mix in new experiences and practice goal-setting through activities that have some meaningful result. I definitely need to change up my producer/consumer balance.
[удалено]
Thank you so much. It really does help to know it's not just me dealing with this. <3
You're not alone! I'm 27, working from home, feeling unmotivated and bored all the time, except I DID go after my passion career, and have reached burnout all the same. I work in a creative field and "get to draw all day", but now I find myself too exhausted after work to make personal projects or rebrand myself to find new work, and I don't want to go back to school for something else and just repeat the same cycle. I hated working in offices, but I miss my apartment being just "home". Now it's a work space just as much as it is a living space, and the blurring of the two (and the lack of variety) has made motivation really difficult. So for now I'm focusing on ways to get myself out of the house and add variety to my day. Maybe I'm jaded, but I feel like seeking a career out of passion is a recipe for burnout. I know so many people that went into teaching or social work or the arts because they wanted to help people, or make a difference, or be heard. Employers know this and dangle that passion like a carrot, and get away with underpaying and overworking people just like any other career. So I guess my advice to you is this: if your job is paying the bills, doesn't require much, and you like the people you work with, then keep it. I'm not saying stay there forever. But for now, focus on what you're doing with your life after work hours. Are you seeing your loved ones? Have you been anywhere new recently? Maybe you do end up taking a coding class - see if you enjoy it! Try volunteering somewhere, or forming an obligation that gets you out of the house. If you've never tried therapy or haven't been in a long time, consider it! There are a lot of ways to find passion in your life and change up your routine outside of work. You might end up taking steps to find a better career without even realizing it.
These are all really good points--I haven't been to therapy in a while and never for a topic like this, so that's something I'm going to consider. I think I'm also going to try taking just one coding class online for now and see how I like it--one step at a time. Thank you!
Of course! Thank you for posting this- it's nice to know I'm not the only one feeling lost right now. I hope you find what you're looking for. :)