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Ask HN: Are you happy, well-rounded? (dealing w/ depression/lack of motivation)

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Re: Ask HN: Are you happy, well-rounded? (dealing w/ depression/lack of motivation)

#141

Post by foleyfoley »

I'm currently going through the same thing, its not over but I've realized a couple things

My philosophy is start to do something, if it something you realize is not for you, you cross it off and do the next thing on your list. It doesn't matter what you do as long as you are doing something. For me this has narrowed down and grounded my interests, and has given me an idea of what to do with myself. This idea will obviously change with time, but for right now it is a start.

Or when I feel like I cant think, or am not in control of the way my life is heading. I stop, and simplify my life. whether this is a day to lay in the park and read or just look at the sky. Or something more drastic. It is backing up from your own life and editing it to whatever degree you want. For me it was really empowering to be in a place of my constructing after I threw away all the metaphorical clutter. It let me breathe and start again.

Re: Ask HN: Are you happy, well-rounded? (dealing w/ depression/lack of motivation)

#142

Post by tumblen »

ddemchuk wrote: post #86
johnnyg wrote: post #67

I'm 28, own successful businesses and have plowed this ground. These aren't going to be standard answers, but its what has helped me. YMMV. 1. Get in a situation where you can balls out fight. I prefer jiu-jitsu but did TKD for a while too. We live in a controlled, over analyzed society. You talked about going to a shrink. That's valid but consider the alternative - you are so controlled and repressed that what you n…

For the love of god yes, everyone here, start a garden. When you find yourself pissed because ssh is taking too long, being able to go outside and water your plants that won't be flowering for another two months is a welcomed slap back into reality. I can't believe how much it keeps you grounded, it's crazy.

For anyone interested in getting into gardening, I highly recommend Mel Bartholomew's 'Square Foot Gardening'.

It's a great resource for starting a garden in general and I've had great success and fun with his specific technique.

http://www.amazon.com/Square-Foot-Gardening-Garden-Space/dp/...

Re: Ask HN: Are you happy, well-rounded? (dealing w/ depression/lack of motivation)

#143

Post by endgame »

grilo wrote: post #18

I hope this article can help you. http://artofmanliness.com/2010/04/06/modern-maturity-create-...

There's some interesting stuff on that site, thanks for the link. I read their bedmaking article last night and put it into practise this morning. My bed has never looked better.

Re: Ask HN: Are you happy, well-rounded? (dealing w/ depression/lack of motivation)

#144

Post by Cyranix »

rlt wrote: post #52

If it helps, you're definitely not alone. I'm 25. By all accounts my life is pretty good. I've got a fairly promising startup going. And yet I feel like I haven't matured at all since midway through college. I don't feel like I imagined I would at 25.

Another 25-year-old in the same situation (not leading a startup, participating in one). Many thanks to the OP and all commenters; it seems like there are a lot of eyes on this thread.

Re: Ask HN: Are you happy, well-rounded? (dealing w/ depression/lack of motivation)

#145

Post by bhushan »

johnnyg wrote: post #67

I'm 28, own successful businesses and have plowed this ground. These aren't going to be standard answers, but its what has helped me. YMMV. 1. Get in a situation where you can balls out fight. I prefer jiu-jitsu but did TKD for a while too. We live in a controlled, over analyzed society. You talked about going to a shrink. That's valid but consider the alternative - you are so controlled and repressed that what you n…

I think be this is the same reason why farmvilla is so famous on FaceBook.. :) Gardening is indeed satisfying act, even if its virtual!

Re: Ask HN: Are you happy, well-rounded? (dealing w/ depression/lack of motivation)

#146

Post by samratjp »

What you need is a Pensieve (like the one from Harry Potter where the characters can take out their memories to analyze). OK, Just Kidding!

But, do go for a walk by a quiet lake or body of water. Take a notebook with you. Spill your thoughts on the paper and don't actively think about it. It's hard to look at oneself "passively" and this helps immensely. There is no shortcut here. Keep doing this everyday, you will find that negation helps. This is the closest you will get to a pensieve :-)

This may help: http://www.selvesandothers.org/article16383.html

Re: Ask HN: Are you happy, well-rounded? (dealing w/ depression/lack of motivation)

#148

Post by bpourriahi »

It took me a very long time to realize this:

-Confidence is the defining quality in success.

Be confident at any cost. This will help you focus on what you want most right now in this moment, and moving towards what you want will lift your depression.

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