Haven’t posted in a while because I think I’ve been in a bit of denial and most recently am starting to face myself and my struggles head on. I’m 22 years old now and have no idea what I’m doing with my life. That sentence just about sums up why I’m writing this. I know that a lot of people feel the same way I do, but I’ve always had some sort of structure to my life and the lacking there of is making me feel like a waste of space. I stopped taking classes at my university after doing poorly during COVID online courses. I quit my job because of sexual harassment which made me extremely nervous and anxious to go into work each day and have struggled to find a new job for 3 months now. I was betrayed by my core friend group who were talking poorly of my boyfriend behind my back (who I’ve been dating for almost 2 years now). I moved out in the midst of all of that happening with my boyfriend (which has been the highlight of these hard times for me because our relationship is one of the only things I feel I have to live for) but I don’t want my boyfriend to keep having to pay the bills and support me without my help.
All in all, I just don’t feel I have a purpose. I’m usually good at handling hard times and trials but because I don’t have an opportunity to keep busy and contribute to my relationship and society and my own well being I’ve been feeling so worthless. Everything feels so out of reach. Going back for my bachelors would take a couple years still, and I don’t even know what I “want to be”. Nothing interests me. I don’t just say this in relation to the work force but in general. I don’t find interest anymore in music, tv shows, or attempting to make new friends. I’m realizing that my possible depression might be hindering me which makes me more sad, almost like an endless loop and I can’t find my way out of it. Therapy doesn’t seem to help although I haven’t been in a while. My life just seems like I’m watching myself every day do the same exact thing. My mind is preoccupied of worry for the future but yet no productivity is taking place. What do you do when you just don’t know what to do?
I guess I just needed to vent, I know I’m young, but I feel like my life is slipping away and I’m so scared of failure but don’t know how to take a next step in the right direction. Please be gentle with me. Any advice is appreciated.
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JM1064
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I am a LOT older than you. I don't have any magical words of wisdom to give you, but there is one perspective I'd like to offer. These last five years or so have been the absolute worst that I've experienced in my 72 years. And I'm talking about the general, outside situation we're all facing. The personal struggles you've got going on are made many times worse when you don't have a stable, sensible backdrop in which to experience them. Our current political, economic, social, and environmental situation is making even the sanest among us question their mental health. You are entering independent adulthood, and trying to find your way in the world, right at a time when the world really sucks! I guess the advice I would offer is to try not to turn all that negative energy in on yourself. Try to find some little pockets of joy. And if joy is too big an ask, strive for some comfort. You are every bit as smart, capable, and lovable as anyone else. You deserve to have the best life experience possible now and as things get better, as I hope they will.
It is really cool to have someone out there much wiser than me responding with advice. Thank you for that. Your response gave me reassurance and made a lot of sense. That meant a lot to me
Hope you can be gentle on yourself and gain new perspectives along way. Best wishes 🙏
Hey JM, glad you are here to vent and find some support/encouragement. We all need it! I think you touched on a couple of important points to consider. First, there has been complete change in every aspect of your life in a short span of time - school, work, friends, home. On any list of life stress factors you will find each of those, so to be dealing with all of them together definitely would result in compounded stress/depression. And as you may know from your previous therapy compounded stress/depression can result in an inability to move past the worry loop and an inability to find motivation. So all that to say that what you are feeling is pretty normal considering your circumstances. But since you have a desire to make a move in a positive direction, that is a start. From your past therapy experience did you learn any strategies for moving from negative to positive thoughts and actions?
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Anxiety/Depression Guidance
Howdy...I'm new and looking for some guidance on panic/anxiety attacks
Need some guidance, Possibly been suffering for years. Physical health condition has now brought it to the forefront
all alone and need help 
