Existence.....

[mac58]

New to this forum. You can read my introduction post to understand where I've been.

does anyone feel like life is just a daily routine to perform while you wait to die? Seems like a visious cycle to me. Get up go to work, make money to fund my existence, come home go to bed and wait for the cycle to repeat. Again and again and again. if that is all life has to offer, then what is the point?

It only makes sense that life has to have a purpose. some say that existence is purpose enough. I'm not buying it. How could there possibly be any joy in merely existing? If my mere life is for the sole purpose of bringing joy to others then, how come I'm so miserable? .Seems like my entire life is all about making others happy. My mom calls occasionally, lays a guilt trip for not calling her, talks incessantly about how my father is 'slipping' and not getting any better. I could never visit with her again and wouldn't miss a thing. Love her but she depresses the hell out of me and right now that is the last thing I need.

Any ideas?

Life seems to be so empty and meaningless. Whats the point/purpose? If anyone can shed some light on that

[TackingIntoTheWind]

I have a suspicion that defining " the meaning of life " is ever-so-slightly beyond me! To be honest, I feel very much the same as you at times. Although, less frequently than I did when I was at my lowest and worst about a year ago. And there are things that I have found help me when I do still feel like this.

I find that it helps me to interact with other people. ( This does not mean feeling that you have to " please " other people. ) I mean people you can just go and " hang-out " with, without feeling that you have to " please " them, people whose company just makes you feel better about yourself and the world. For example, two friends of mine are members of a local gym, and they generally have a coffee or two there before they go in and start exercising. And, I often meet them there and have a coffee with them. We talk about science fiction, politics, women etc, and it's nice to just " hang out " and enjoy their company. I know them well enough to relax in their company, I don't have to " please " or " impress " them. So, I can just be myself.

I'm also a great lover of stories, I love books and films and TV series that I can get involved in, and distracted by, and ponder what's going to happen next. ( I'm looking forward to the next episode of Doctor Who tonight, and FlashForward on Monday. I'm not saying that escapist fiction is the purpose of life, but it helps me....)

I also like to learn new things, particularly things that might give me new insights or thoughts about things I already know. ( I've recently read a few books on the Russo-Finnish " Winter War " of 1939-40. ) I have a particular weakness for obscure areas of history! I'm such a geeeeeeek!

And, I've been making a point of slowing down the pace at which I live my life. ( I'd be the first to admit that I'm still working on this! ) I'm something of a people pleaser myself, and I've finally realised that I should be more present, aware and thankful for my own life, rather than running in circles trying to please people who are just using other people for their own ends, and are probably never going to be pleased about anything, ever!
I've been making a point of " pausing and smelling the flowers ", for want of a better phrase. ( Again, I'm not sure if this is the purpose of life. I'm just a guy, I'm not Socrates afterall!
)

And, I find it helps me if I can help other people when they need it. ( Again, I'm not talking about " people-pleasing ", trying to please people who don't care about you, and will probably never be pleased by anything ever. Sigh!) But, there are people who have helped and supported me, particularly over this past year. And, it does make me feel better about myself and my future if there are times when I can be there for them in return.

I'm not sure if that helps, but, as I say, I'm just a guy, not a great philosopher!

I hope that you do find a purpose(s) for your own life, in the meantime, please do take care of yourself. Good luck!