Full Careers

How does one find purpose/goal without interests or desires?

Hi. First, to clear a few things. Yes, i have had a decade history of schizoid pd, depression, anxiety, narsassitic pd, dysthemia (hard for pyschatrists to pin point, my point i guess for not being able to fully articulate my situation). Yes, i have taken different assessment tests to on issues of career, mental state, etc (not just the online tests) without any insight. Yes, i have tried govt services for mental health occupation issues (they gave me the tests and set me up with service that placed me at a job within one day, no attempt at figuring out issues ... took the job at the time for economic reasons. No, i couldn't go back to school at the time since i had intentionally defaulted a loan to dq myself from any finanical aid, back when i was fully suicidal (not now, though admit still have an ideation for it). Okay, so, how can one find purpose or goals without interests or desire, and without the resources of family or friends (any help is grateful).

Public Comments

1. what do you enjoy? even if its somethin weird ther must be somethin u can follow in that area? take a look at websites with all the different jobs: http://www.careersa-z.co.uk/ That website has A-Z of careers just click on any of the letters or search. Just keep an open mind and defently trry out different hobbies, i feel the same as you and am really stuck with goals and interests, i feel i do have some but then again i dont and its all confusing and i think that if i do go with a goal and maybe reach it i will realise i dont actually want or be happy with that goal at all.
2. well, like the other person said, think about what you like to do, and what you enjoy? but if you really don't know, sometimes you just gotta force yourself to go out and explore... and if you just don't like anything practical, you just have to force yourself to things. not necessarily what you like to do, but just realise it's best for the future. for example, i'm in college, i'm not really enjoying any of it, it's really boring, but i just know it's best for me and will help me find a stable job... like, i'm interested in psychology, but due to practicality, i'm probably going to be going into business (double majoring in both though) i have to force myself to take all those business classes and such...i mean sometimes i just want to drop out of school, but i know what's best for me. and while i'm not enjoying it now, if i had it any other way, i run a very high risk of regret. sometimes you just have to ignore any interests and desires (or the lack of it) and force yourself to do things. kind of like an innate motivation? i mean, just really, do something practical, sometimes even the joy of a paycheck can keep you going.... and chances are, when you're out there, it allows more opportunities for self-discovery and eventually, you should find something you like/enjoy, etc. i mean do you at least want a family? if financial is a goal, you would just want to find a job that is well paid. or even do some community service, you could end up feeling good about yourself and that could help you be more confident in searching yourself. good luck!
3. I used to have real problems with not really wanting anything... everyone around me seemed to know what they wanted to do and have direction and purpose in their lives - but I didn't. If that's the kind of thing you're talking about, the resolution for this in me came from a very unexpected source... I got taught how to be more in touch with my feelings by recognising them within my body. (I'd thought feelings happened in your head!) I'd seen no purpose for feelings and learnt to pretty much shut them down - more than 1 a day just wore me out. But the more I felt my feelings - which has been real gradual - the more I've had a sense of who I am and what I want to be doing. It's been pretty painful at times but it's also opened up my capacity for joy. I laugh more than I ever did before. Best of all it's helped me connect better with other people as I now have some understanding of their motivations. I now feel like I'm part of the human race, not just the outsider I always was. At one time I was in the mental health system but I really didn't find it very useful. People were keen on giving me labels but they could only relate to me as a patient - not a real, live human being. In order to get to know myself so that I could communicate it to others, I had to go on a journey of self-exploration. I've done most of my getting in touch with my emotions through meditation so you might try taking a meditation class if you wanted to have a go at this. I used to be without family or friends myself so I know how hard it can be when you've got no resources. Taking a class can be a great way of getting access to other people who aren't relating to you as a patient. And if you find meditation isn't for you, at least that's one thing you know you *don't* want to do ;-)
4. Try to think about others more than yourself. Think about their problems and their happiness. Think about people you find beautiful or interesting. Find something more important that YOU and dedicate yourself to it... make it sacred. Like the well being of children, or justice, or peace, or whatever which is more important to you.