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submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 22 hours ago) by schmorpel@slrpnk.net to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

World is an absolute shit show with no signs of improving, personal life just keeps turning upside down, everything makes me terminally tired. I am trying to remain positive and be a positive force for others. I do stuff to make me feel better, like art, take walks, talk to a therapist, grow plants, community work - and I do manage to squeeze a tiny happiness out of my activities but it doesn't seem to be worth the effort. I try to connect with people and quite a few people actually seem to like me but socializing makes me feel exhausted. I catch myself thinking "Let the fucking war arrive and burn it all down" and that's terrifying stuff to carry in one's own head. I just feel I'm part of the overpopulation and that there's no point of existing.

I have a kid and don't want them to be sad because their crazy parent offed themselves and that's all that keeps me going.

Those of you feeling like this: what keeps you going?

EDIT: Wow, this has been quite a day. Thanks for your answers and advice, it was so far the darkest day I found on my path and you really helped me through it! I'd like to send a virtual hug to all, especially those who seem to be struggling as much as I do and who stay around for the sake of their loved ones, or simply out of spite and anger. The heavy tension-inducing weather that was been brewing here all morning finally unloaded into an impressive thunderstorm with bucket loads of rain, and then a friend arrived telling me she was feeling quite the same way (the weather clearly didn't help today!), and she inspired me to host a meeting I wanted to do since a long time, so I finally set up a date for it and announced it. So here we go again, despite or with the rage, the spite, the heavy heart. See you tomorrow, hopefully with some sun to try that 'baking cookies in my car' thing I just found in the shitposting community. At least there will be cookies to go with the doom tomorrow!

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[-] Etterra@discuss.online 2 points 3 hours ago

There's a few people who'd be sad if I liked myself. That's about it, really. Well that and the 7 medications and regular therapy.

[-] OhVenus_Baby@lemmy.ml 8 points 18 hours ago* (last edited 18 hours ago)

The realist shit ever. Disconnect, unplug, walk away. Get grounded again. 15 years ago phones were just picking up. Focus on your real world in front of you life again. Stop thinking about the news, worrying about xyz. Let go and focus on the moment. Bird/animal watch.

Look at how others are psychologically dependant on tech instead of true connections. Then revel in your ability to understand and be content with not being attached as much and shifting your mind to living in reality outside of your mental rat race. Life goes on. Leave the mental gymnastics and step out of that path.

Edit: All these people saying hate, rage, spite, all the negative emotions really shows you the world consensus. None of the words their choosing are healthy. That's indicative of their mental and physical health. Positivity has taken a back seat because negativity sells, gets clicks, views, and is socially/structurally distorted.

[-] HiddenLayer555@lemmy.ml 6 points 22 hours ago* (last edited 22 hours ago)

Nihilism. I've fully accepted that humans are definitely going extinct and I'm just along for the ride. It's oddly comforting to realize nothing you do matters in the long run because your entire species and society has no future. I'll focus on being a nice person to the few other humans that know me instead of trying to change the entire world, because realistically I can't change the world. If I can make some positive impacts to a few other individuals before we all die, I'll take that as a win.

Is that a healthy mindset? No. But I'm not a healthy person to begin with so I don't care.

[-] schmorpel@slrpnk.net 4 points 22 hours ago

I sometimes wish I could just drop all hope, but it always keeps popping up again. I'm a hopeless optimist, or maybe an optimistic hopeless person? 'Healthy' is a very subjective thing, there's no 'one fits all' solution - you can pursue the most healthy activities in very unhealthy ways, and use the most unhealthy stuff to keep alive and somewhat happy, so what?

[-] MotoAsh@lemmy.world 4 points 23 hours ago

The fact that dying is harder than a lot of people assume. Damn biology making me hungry and thirsty and afraid of train tracks...

[-] schmorpel@slrpnk.net 3 points 23 hours ago

I wish my damn biology reminded me that I'm hungry before I reach the state of hangry doom - but hey I'm afraid of train tracks as well and always keep hydrated, and I managed to bake some yummy bread today that I actually like to eat.

That biological urge to stay alive might completely fuck up my retirement plan of jumping off a bridge when my body starts falling apart. I probably should make a better plan before I reach my 60s.

[-] yogthos@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 day ago

The knowledge that western domination over the world is crumbling, that neolibarlism is becoming discredited, and that the capitalist system is imploding. Meanwhile, there's plenty of positive news coming out China every day. China is building infrastructure, transitioning off fossil fuels, and improving the standard of living for its people. China is showing what an alternative cooperative model of development looks like, one that's not based on constant war and exploitation.

[-] boaratio@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

Making money to support my wife and kids, and not much else. I try to do my best for self care, but other than occasionally playing videogames and mowing the lawn, nothing really brings me joy. I've been into world politics since I was a kid, and have witnessed the slow decline of the US over decades. I've been really good at putting money away over my career, and have a healthy insurance policy, I just hope my kids can benefit from it.

[-] schmorpel@slrpnk.net 4 points 1 day ago

That does it for me on some days, and by the amount of likes it seems to be quite a common thing. If only I could channel the spite and rage away from the internet into real life. Found a nice motorway bridge and thought about hanging up some protest banner - but then people would read it and that's all. Need to accumulate more rage before acting, maybe until I'm angry enough to put up a strongly worded protest banner.

[-] OhVenus_Baby@lemmy.ml 1 points 18 hours ago

This one post tells me enough about your mental state and life. Stop living in your head. Your head only takes you so far. Fail fast and grow, you just might make it further than you ever thought you could. Stop looking at outcomes and chessing it all out. Do.

[-] schmorpel@slrpnk.net 0 points 14 hours ago

Wow aren't you a genius armchair psychologist to learn enough about people's mental state in only one post - are you aware how condescending that sounds?

[-] OhVenus_Baby@lemmy.ml 2 points 8 hours ago

I thought my post was encouraging you to overthink less, and was about being more positive and grounded. I guess that's condescending and being an arm chair psychologist. The point was to not be so concerned with today's woes/geopolitical landscape and more in tune with what's in front of you. I read all the comments including yours in this thread. The above post just really seemed to highlight the opposite of what I aimed to speak on.

Your reply actually seemed like the condescending one. None the less. I hope you find some peace and contentness. I don't got all the answers, but I was trying to legitimately help. Goodluck!

[-] schmorpel@slrpnk.net 2 points 5 hours ago

Sorry for being rather acidic, I got hung up on the "this one post tells me enough", it sounded arrogant to me and my answer to it was over the top and unnecessarily unfriendly. Thank you for trying to help and giving advice. I really hope my reaction doesn't put you off trying to help others online in the future!

[-] OhVenus_Baby@lemmy.ml 2 points 4 hours ago

All is well. Hope you find the solace your looking for.

[-] Gabadabs@lemmy.blahaj.zone 10 points 1 day ago

"The horrors persist, yet so do I". The world sucks, but I have things I care about, people I love, some wonderful cats. And I'm not gonna let a fucked up world take that away from me without a fight

[-] schmorpel@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 day ago

I guess I do have some people? Lack of object permanence doesn't help the situation very much. Who can prove my loved ones even exist when they are not here?

[-] wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 day ago

If you unironically have trouble believing in the persistance of things outside of your own immediate senses, please go talk with your therapist more.

That's kind of base level underpinnings of your existence and how you interact with the rest of the world shit.

[-] howrar@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 day ago

This feels like psychologist or neurologist territory.

[-] schmorpel@slrpnk.net 1 points 23 hours ago

Well it's the 'tism and I am self aware about the issue, and I don't think any therapist is just going to delete the autism from my brain by talking with them more, but thanks?

[-] wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 19 hours ago* (last edited 18 hours ago)

If you take nothing else from this thread: That's not "just autism".

And the goal of working with a professional wouldn't be to "delete your autism" like holy shit lmao that is so off base I would think you were a shitposter if I hadn't met other people like you before.


There are dangerous thought patterns, shit that does nothing but erode your trust in the existence of an external reality. I don't have the proper words to describe the level of danger to yourself and those around you that you can cause if you don't believe foundational aspects of external reality.

This is really something you need to discuss with professionals.

[-] schmorpel@slrpnk.net 1 points 14 hours ago

You're latching on to one half ironic thing I wrote so you can prove that something is seriously wrong with me? Maybe you need to talk to a professional? Lack of object permanence is one of many symptoms of autism. It makes my life a little more difficult because I sometimes have to remind myself that I can and should continue to connect with people not in my immediate surroundings. I do not literally believe they disappear and I'm sure my other answers must reflect somehow that I'm not a delusional solipsist. But hey, whatever supports your self importance.

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[-] howrar@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 day ago

Things are rough, but I'll have all the time in the world to rest when I'm dead. So why not give it my all and see where it takes us?

[-] BlueSquid0741@lemmy.sdf.org 11 points 1 day ago

My kids and my partner, they’re amazing and they all think the world of me.

[-] blargh513@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 day ago

That, also cat and dog. I am the feeder, brusher, vet-taker. Mr. Meowmeow and Ms. Fluffy would be very sad. That won't do at all.

[-] narr1@lemmy.ml 13 points 1 day ago

"Mom would be sad" was basically the only thought that carried me through my most suicidal years. So I guess it'd be "kid would be sad" for you. In any case fake it 'til you make it if all else fails, that was what they taught us in dialectical behavior therapy by the way of willingness & half-smile (or at least that is how I internalized it). Another thought that has been keeping me going since those suicidal years is "this too shall pass" with or without the additional "away" in the end, by which I have come to understand the transient nature of everything; the only constant is change, and it is inevitable. This combined with some personal growth in understanding of global geopolitical and economical concepts (straight up communism bro) has lead me to believe that better times are indeed coming, and although it may not be us alive right now who will be here to see those better days, we should not lose hope for the future. Someone once said that "wise men plant trees under whose shade they will never rest" or something, so I'd maybe encourage you to pick up again your hobbies that you listed: art, walks, talking, plant growing and community work and try to focus on what's at hand, not what has been or could be or is somewhere else. You cannot affect any of those, so why worry about them?

I understand that the current global political and economical unrest is scary, but if it's not currently threatening your life (or say your kid's life) or stopping you from enjoying the things you are doing currently then it's not really worth worrying about those, is it? I myself found help through DBT, it's a long-form therapy used among others for emotional dysregulation disorders – like borderline personality disorder (that's me!) – but it has many concept I believe should be in standard school curriculum globally, and the resources are available online as well as in print.

In any case, I hope the best for you. Raising children in the current global situation is no doubt incredibly anxiety inducing, and though it is good to stay strong for your children, it isn't advisable to suffer because of your children so to say. It is good that you evidently know how to ask for help, and probably are capable to receive it.

[-] schmorpel@slrpnk.net 2 points 22 hours ago

the transient nature of everything; the only constant is change, and it is inevitable

Thank you for your thorough reply, I've been checking the DBT page and there's a lot of good stuff there!

It's funny that for me the transient nature of everything is as much comfort as it is reason for concern and discomfort - I've always wanted some kind of 'static' situation or find 'the right way of understanding life', and it took me a while to come to terms with the fact that everything changes all the time, that there never will be a standstill, or arrival at some final truth, or a place where one can rest and trust everything will always stay the same. I guess this desire for things to 'stay the same' is also part of the autism, I call it 'sticky thoughts'. I'm still learning to embrace that everything is and always will be moving and I slowly ease into just being more curious and feeling comfortable with letting stuff happen and not panic about it.

[-] whotookkarl@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I'm more curious about what happens next than dejected about what has already transpired

Exploration, curiosity, discovery can be great motivators

[-] schmorpel@slrpnk.net 2 points 23 hours ago

I like that, I try to remember being curious every day!

[-] iii@mander.xyz 11 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

There's never been a time where the world was conflict free, and people merrily skidoodled around.

Happyness is as much internal, as it is influenced by your environment. It takes both. And the relationship is bi-directional.

Blaming the latter for the first, is a dead end.

[-] hazl@lemmy.blahaj.zone 10 points 1 day ago

The prospect of leaving behind a man's corpse if I were to die now.

take my energy, blahaj ✊ evolve to your next form

[-] Rich_Benzina@feddit.it 6 points 1 day ago

The idea that maybe in the future i will be in a better place than now, that i'll be financially stable and i'll work a job that i like and where i can keep a good balance between it and my personal life. (Im beyond delusional)

[-] the_abecedarian@piefed.social 2 points 1 day ago

It's great that you're trying to take care of yourself!

"Overpopulation" is a lie spread by the right wing to distract us from the way that capitalists, oligarchs, etc. take from us. You might find a useful project in looking into community movements that have rejected, in the past and currently, exploitation under capitalism and other hierarchies. https://inv.nadeko.net/playlist?list=PLvwoHdNGq9wUbrwTZ2k8yXE5oABPBQ4NX here is a playlist with short videos talking about still-active resistance groups of many kinds. There's always something we can learn from them. https://srslywrong.com/ this podcast is a sweety pie take providing fun and funny analyses of various hierarchies in society (check the sidebar for recommended episodes).

Talk about these feelings with trusted people in addition to your therapist. Pull back from watching the news/doomscrolling/social media for a while. See if you can take a trip to a place where life looks different, for a week.

[-] schmorpel@slrpnk.net 1 points 23 hours ago

I don't watch the news at all and curate political stuff out of my feeds as much as I can. Thanks for the links, going to check them out!

[-] djsoren19@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 1 day ago

I find suicide distasteful and seek glory.

[-] Nemo@slrpnk.net 4 points 1 day ago

It's not about what keeps me going, it's about what can get me to slow down to survivable speeds.

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trying to emigrate. I can't die here this sad and this alone. I'm motivated by self hate and a delusion that since I was happy one time it could happen again

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[-] Sandouq_Dyatha@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 day ago

Nice try fed agent, you are not getting my will to live

[-] schmorpel@slrpnk.net 4 points 1 day ago
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[-] hansolo@lemmy.today 5 points 1 day ago

The mitochondria.

[-] 0x01@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 day ago

Responsibility mostly, no kids thank God but animals would suffer.

[-] MisterNeon@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

Hate. Hate for the world. Hate for myself. I've seen my reflection in the obsidian mirror. If Tezcatlipoca was real I would live for the laughter he must have at my expense for my misery. Tezcatlipoca isn't real and I hate that.

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Hope that people will smash the chains that bind them... and undying hatred for the rich, the cops, the politicians, and the rest of the monsters when that hope disappears.

[-] schmorpel@slrpnk.net 4 points 1 day ago

I do keep Eat The Rich and Smash Some Shit as my secret plan C. Seems better than just leaving this world quietly. But I sometimes wonder if I'm past that point already and will just keep fading away in hopelessness as a lot of others seem to do.

Suppressed hatred towards the powerful who don't give a shit is maybe the underlying feeling I carry, and maybe that's why my usual strategy of being a positive force seems to fail lately. There's too much anger about the state of things to even care about anything anymore. Then again, adding to the anger that is already in the world seems such a horrible thing. Shouldn't we be building a better world instead of destroying stuff?

[-] Asafum@feddit.nl 4 points 1 day ago

I have a kid and don’t want them to be sad because their crazy parent offed themselves and that’s all that keeps me going.

For me it's the opposite, I'm someone's "kid" and I don't want to hurt them. It's literally the only reason I'm still here, I'm just waiting for my older relatives to pass and then I can go eat a shotgun or something.

[-] schmorpel@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 day ago

That as well. Don't want my dad to be sad, he's a good guy.

Don't bite off more than you can chew, I hope it gets brighter once we're older!

[-] DemBoSain@midwest.social 4 points 1 day ago

The desperate hope that a "good guy with a gun" will show up and rescue us like they promised.

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this post was submitted on 23 Jun 2025
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