Are there other lost souls like me out there?

[Strugglin]

Sometimes life feels meaningless. Working, eating, sleeping. Making peace with being alone but then the reality of that aloneness ebbing and flowing with waves of depression. Anxiety around every corner, with every social interaction. Wanting to connect with people but realizing that the abilities that most people use to connect with other human beings I don't seem to possess anymore. Found a really good show, House MD. It became like a close friend for weeks. I binge watched all 8 seasons. I like how the show deals with meaning and meaninglessness. Now, it's like that friend is gone. I guess I need to find something else to watch.

[Hidden]

Have found this site to be a good tonic to communicate with people going through similar problems. Build up your confidence by making some friends on here and by taking small steps forward at your own pace.

[Strugglin in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the kind words. I think I will.

[Expo123]

I'm so sorry you are going through such a hard time. Just want you to know you're not alone. The words in your post could have been written about me so I really understand where you are coming from. Like Falco1 mentioned, the people on this site are very supportive and have helped me to feel less alone. I'm sure they will do the same for you. It's good that you have joined this community.

[Strugglin in reply to Expo123]

Thank you. Glad to be here interacting with people who understand.

[Hidden]

I can relate so much to this. I've been feeling incredibly lonely and hopeless lately and nothing seems to help. I also love House MD and have found it a helpful show, at least it helps me get distracted.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Have seen a few early series of House MD. Recently been catching up with the Line Of Duty different series. About to see series 5 now. Excellent programme in my opinion.

[Strugglin in reply to Hidden]

I know how that feels, believe me. Yes, distracted. House MD did that for me like no other show did. What I really liked is that House was struggling with meaning in his own life but kept himself distracted from it through his work.

[Agora1]

Hi Strugglin Oh the good Dr. House (always my favorite). I wouldlisten intently and try to figure out a diagnosis for the patient before

House did lol

When I no longer got that Channel, I learned to find other shows that I

could enjoy as well. For me they are mostly Medical/Emergency.

Life is full of changes everyday, we must learn to conform to those changes

as well as losses in our lives. It is inevitable that it will happen to all of us

one day.

Having a Plan B as a backup can help us feel so not alone and lost.

When nothing is on tv, there is always the option of YouTube which I find

helpful as well as inspiring.

You are now a part of this beautiful Virtual Family of Friends. Together we

help each other find what we are looking for by emotionally supporting each

other. I'm happy you are here with us . xx

[Strugglin in reply to Agora1]

I hope that I find other shows as good. I did start watching "Chance" which stars (House) Hugh Laurie. It's a good show but not the same. That's great advice. I've never been much of a Plan B kind of person, or even Plan A for that matter. I've drifted though life and now I'm getting old without any real career. I found work that I was passionate about for a while, It gave my life meaning but I can't do it anymore. Health has deteriorated, anxiety has intensified. I wonder sometimes if I'm facing something that maybe many people face at some point later in life. It's not a typical depression, it's the existential type.

[MoldyPenny]

I'm right there with you, just going through the motions of day to day life not really knowing what the meaning is or why I'm doing it. Very lost, very lonely, very sad.

[Strugglin in reply to MoldyPenny]

I appreciate you sharing that. It's not easy to talk about, for me anyway. I'm not very goal oriented. I just exist some days. It becomes almost like a state of paralysis. Talking about it is helping. It's nice to be able to talk openly about it here. I want to believe it will get better. Some days I would settle for wanting to believe in anything.

[MoldyPenny in reply to Strugglin]

I also find it hard to talk about, but somehow I feel like I can be very authentic on here. It helps me to get the feelings off my chest, and I know that it helps others to know they're not alone. We'll get through this, just have to pick a goal and work towards it every day even if they're only baby steps!

[cocoyellow]

Just know that you didn't come to this earth to eat sleep and pay bills. You have a purpose and you will find i. My passion in life is rescuing animals and that has now become my purpose. Is what makes me wake up and work, knowing that I will be able to help an animal. It feels wonderful when I foster a shy or scared dog and in a couple weeks he becomes confident and on is way to his forever home 💜

[fieryangel]

Hi There...don't worry...there are loads of us like you ! You are most definitely NOT alone. I binge watched 'Lost'...remember that...I felt a strange affinity with people being deserted and forgotten about and no way back....and I binge watched Nurse Jackie recently....I watch old movies and things from my childhood...sometimes I feel so alone and that I am the odd one out...I wonder why I am here...like many of us I suppose. Just remember though that you are NOT alone...many of us feel the same and coming on here will make you see that I hope...reach out and be kind to yourself...there are friends and some good advice. I am in the UK but there are people from all over the place posting on here...which is great Take care and I enjoyed House MD and Line of Duty was a great distraction as well !

[Strugglin]

Thanks for sharing artisticcatowner. I, like you, am a hermit. I live alone with my dog. I'm glad spirituality is helping. And you're right, I think I do need to think more deeply about what my gift is and try to use it. Thanks again for sharing your perspective and interpretation.

[Strugglin]

I would like to think that my gift is helping others heal by sharing my pain. Maybe that's it.

[Murielle21]

Why does he choose some of us to suffer when we have done nothing wrong! I can never get my head around that. I’m afraid that l have lost my faith as most of my life has been spent struggling with this affliction.I’m glad for those that have managed to retain their faith though.

[Strugglin in reply to Murielle21]

I struggle with that same question myself sometimes believe me.

[samack]

. House is our unfiltered self. Rarely good characters written for TV. There is one show that was on called Boston Legal. I found William Shatners character to be somewhat like House, as he's egoistic and blurts out what he thinks no matter who you are. Monk in his quirky ways is only himself. Can't conform to societal expectations. Says what he thinks. I watch reruns of the Closer now. Excellent viewing. Provenza is comic relief and he blurts out too.

[samack]

Been there with you. I don't want to be here in this space. Its hard to envision the how to do it. I can see what but not how. Meaning sucked up and left me dry. Old identities do that to you. Cheers to finding the new you.

[Strugglin in reply to samack]

Your descriptions of the shows piqued my interest. Sounds like possible replacements for House. Thank you. I appreciate you sharing. Those are deep insights. Clearly you understand.

[HumanM]

There is an epidemic of loneliness in the US and in many countries around the world. 79% of generation Z respondents said they were lonely. And when people are lonely they feel a lack of meaning. Please know you are not alone. You may think other people do not have this problem, but many do and put on a happy face. Here’s a quote I saw and saved:

"The loneliest people are the kindest,

the saddest people smile the brightest,

and the most damaged people are the wisest."

~ anonymous ~

Your loneliness doesn’t have to be forever. Take small steps to get out of your comfort zone. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Have a goal even if it seems difficult, like maybe starting a group on meetup. You will meet people on any topic you designate. At the same time you will give others a chance to break out of their loneliness.

[Strugglin in reply to HumanM]

I absolutely love that quote. First time seeing that one. Such beautiful words, so true. I totally agree that there is a loneliness epidemic. I want to connect with others on that level who are in the trenches with it, experiencing it, trying to cope with it, first hand. I know there are many others. Meetup is an excellent suggestion.

[Murielle21 in reply to Strugglin]

The only thing l would like is to feel normal. I’m not wanting happy just to be able to function and at my age it’s difficult anyway. I just showered and washed my hair for the first time in ages. I have managed to trip and pull down my shower curtain and now l can’t get it back up. I’m constantly exhausted and does anyone else feel strange pressure rushing from back to front inside your head like me. My head feels floaty. I fear l am going mad! Also a rush if panic from the pit of my stomach to my head. I am really afraid! I don’t know what is going to happen to me or my dog. I wish l had someone to just hold my hand and hug me. It’s been so long. My 2 sisters live a long way from me in different directions and they have their own stuff to deal with and one is 76 and the other 72 with me being 74. I don’t always feel very safe. I think that of all the lovely people on here l am a hopeless lost cause. Like you, l have no interest or strength for anything and feel l am just in god’s waiting room although l have lost my faith when my daughter was murdered. Sorry for spouting off. I feel ashamed now. Sorry! We can talk and talk but l never feel any better but l am pleased when others find their way out of the hole! All my best wishes to you and everyone else here.x

[Strugglin in reply to Murielle21]

Thank you for sharing. No need to be ashamed at all. It's just me and my dog too. Very few people to talk to about how alone I feel sometimes. Even when I'm out around people, still feel the same way, like I'm in some other dimension watching normal people go about their normal lives. We all know that a sense of belonging is a fundamental human need yet there are many of us who are living without that feeling and it leaves an emptiness inside. I really appreciate you opening up. I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. Sometimes I think that us lonely people will have to come together somehow to create that sense of belonging for each other.