Any Advice?

[MossyDossy]

I haven’t had any motivation or enthusiasm to do anything for years. I recently graduated college and I have to take an expensive test to become certified. The problem I have is that I have taken this test once before and failed. I feel like I’m throwing my degree away by not studying or applying myself. It’s difficult just to get up and shower. I feel so guilty having my parents pay for my things because I work a dead end job when I could be certified and using my degree. It feels impossible to get myself out of bed. I feel like a failure and I hate myself for it. Does anyone have any advice to offer on ways to become more motivated or driven to do things?

[Dolphin14]

Welcome to the community.

I'm reading that you did have the drive to get through your education. This shows me you can move forward and find some drive to move on to this next part of your life.

It's a job only you can accomplish. What are your hopes and dreams? Is this career path the one you truly want?

🐬

[MossyDossy in reply to Dolphin14]

I don’t really feel like I have a passion for anything. Finishing my degree felt like a miracle. I’m not sure when but I started to experience really bad burnout and I haven’t come back from it since. I’ve been on lexapro for a few years and I’m taking the highest dosage. I’ve tried group therapy and one on one therapy as well. The career path I’ve chosen wasn’t one of hopes and dreams I basically fell into doing it as a backup plan. I have such an overwhelming guilt for not using my degree after spending so much on school. I have things that I want to do but it feels like I’m being held down by thousands of pounds and it’s impossible to get up 😕 I’ve been looking for a group of people who are also having struggles to know I’m not alone in all of this. Sorry for the lengthy reply

[Dolphin14 in reply to MossyDossy]

Please don't be sorry for expressing yourself. That's what we are all here for

Maybe you need and additional med to get your through this? Just a thought

Some people finish their degree and realize it's not what they expected. You will always have that degree to fall back on but I don't think there is any failure in not using it yet.

Maybe you are being held down by the guilt? This is your life and you have to follow your own path to make it happy and peaceful.

You will find your way.

Keep talking here it really helps

[MossyDossy in reply to Dolphin14]

I feel like I don’t have people around me who understand my situation. My family keeps pressuring me rather than try to understand where I’m coming from. I never thought I’d even make it this far in life, let alone graduate college. I know I’m the only one holding myself back and I can easily solve a lot of my problems by applying myself and actually do the things I need to do. It’s just really hard for me to do absolutely anything. I’ve called into work more times than I’d like to admit and doing basic everyday things had become a hassle. I don’t know what to do. I’ve tried setting goals and making to do lists but I never complete any of them and it makes me more upset in the end

[Dolphin14]

Have you considered therapy? It may help you

I remember being in this spot with the depression. I do therapy and take meds.

I knew I had to get back my life and I was fortunate to be able to push myself to get up and move.

Self help books are great ways to learn about yourself. I do meditation and I exercise. Starting yoga helped quite a bit. It got me out of my head

[MossyDossy in reply to Dolphin14]

Thank you for all of the kind words and advice, I will definitely try finding something like yoga or walking to start out. So far this group has been really helpful and positive 🙂

[Dolphin14 in reply to MossyDossy]

This is a great place for support I'm glad to hear you have found it helpful

[Blue_81]

Welcome to the community! I have a hard time every morning getting up and getting myself to work. I have my education and im not using it to its fullest because I cant deal with stress very well. Every work day im just looking forward to finishing my 8hrs and go home. Its okay that you are working a job that is not related to what you studied. You come first and you need to take care of yourself. Baby steps and its okay. My recommendation is to do a job that has some physical activity, which usually helps with anxiety and depression. I tried therapy and it has not work for me. Much of the times I felt worse but I need to find the correct therapist. Hope everything gets better.

[MossyDossy in reply to Blue_81]

I’ve tried multiple therapists until I found a really good counselor one day on campus. Coincidentally, I had been right across the hall a few months before with a different therapist that I disliked. I didn’t want to go back to that office but I decided to try again. Also, I feel like I’m more scared of the disappointment and anger from my family if I continue to work my current job. I make minimum wage and I dislike my job. I’ve tried applying to multiple jobs but it seems like no one can get a job these days. It upsets me that all we do is work and go home, really sucks the life out of life lol

[Blue_81 in reply to MossyDossy]

Happy for you that you found a good therapist. Im still at a loss, I need to find one but haven’t gotten myself to do so. For work just keep applying, sooner or later you will find one. I remember when I was in college I wanted to graduate and go to work. I was such in a hurry to do so because I wanted to earn money. Once you start working thats all we do, you dont have time for anything else because we are always working. You get tired of the routine.