Posts by Brandon Mitchell

Nancy Wilson2 said:Nicholas, emotions have been under investigation for decades now, with various scientific disciplines—psychology and neuroscience included—contributing to our understanding. At this stage, we possess a massive body of knowledge, and if I can guarantee you one thing, it is this: there isn't a shred of evidence suggesting that anything has a cause or origin outside of, and independent from, brain activity. That includes those "fundamental" emotions of yours—and I suspect you are referring to fear and love. It would certainly be groundbreaking news if that were ever proven otherwise.

Rather, as I mentioned, we already know quite a bit about what is what and how things function—specifically regarding the neural correlations of different emotions, which systems are involved, the role of neurotransmitters, and so on.

I don't see why, for instance, when looking at today’s technology and what we might achieve with it in the relatively near future, we couldn't develop something akin to a specialized headset—functioning similarly to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation—where, with our precise knowledge of exactly where things occur in the brain, we could essentially toggle emotions on and off just like flipping a light switch. We can actually perform similar manipulations with certain mental functions already. The sole reason such widespread tools don't exist yet is purely an ethical one; such manipulation is problematic. However, other methods exist—psychoactive drugs being the most obvious example. And yes, we can certainly "influence" emotions through them. By "influence," I mean creating them. And yes, fear and love are part of that equation.

For me, psychoactive drugs messed me up a bit, but they didn't actually cause more damage than what was already inside me, waiting to surface eventually. Almost any drug can destabilize your mental state, so when you consume them, you're essentially gambling with your own brain chemistry.

driftingcobra572 said:Where do you think those feelings actually originate? From the brain?

Just asking—looking for an honest answer...

Exactly. I mean, where else would they possibly come from?

Nancy Wilson2 said:In reality, it is; because the original poster simply started a thread about reading something they didn't quite grasp, asking someone more knowledgeable to clarify. That’s all there is to it.

Notice how people aren't actually writing about "life," and notice how nobody is even responding to that specific point. He mentioned reading somewhere that the world is an illusion—which he found confusing—and touched upon infinite consciousness; frankly, it wouldn't surprise me if he had been reading something by David Icke, for instance. The actual subject matter here is the nature of reality—the metaphysical claims made by various spiritualists and alternative thinkers—rather than the concept of "life" itself.

The true answer to this thread lies precisely in that distinction, particularly in explaining what those types of people actually mean when they employ such metaphysics. But no, people here just want to talk about the Law of Attraction and whatever else...

Personally, I don't buy into the Law of Attraction. I think things happen randomly in this world; you meet random people, someone can coldly screw you over even if you've been nothing but kind to them, and events unfold completely independent of your thoughts. You can't control everything in your life because you have no idea what the next moment will bring or how you'll react to it. More specifically, you simply cannot have absolute control over everything. That's why I don't believe in God or any concept of "infinite love." I do believe in love, sure, but just like everything else in this world, it isn't perfect. The only thing that might feel perfect is a single fleeting moment filled with genuine wonder, but even that passes. The only real meaning in life is finding something to connect with and working at it—meaning, work. And that depends entirely on our natural inclinations and interests. And yeah, I've read David Icke, and I definitely don't believe aliens are running the world; I think that's bordering on a serious psychosis :P
It seems like people have drifted away from the actual topic, but hey, whatever happens, happens.

Anthony Cook8 said:But tell me... did you come here looking for fresh perspectives and new insights to challenge yourself, or are you just searching for someone to validate what you already believe?😛

It’s honestly both, but looking at the comments, it turns out most people are on the exact same page as me. There’s really no point in me digging my heels in when everyone else is thinking the same thing anyway... 🙂

Nancy Wilson2 said:It is absolutely real. There exists an objective reality that functions entirely independently of us as observers, and a significant portion of that reality is what we label as matter. It is just that our internal model of it is an "illusion"—or more accurately, a construct—that happens to represent the external world quite effectively; if it didn't, we wouldn't have survived this long. However, we are inherently limited by our sensory input and processing capabilities, which leaves much of existence far beyond our perceptual reach.

By manipulating the way our brains receive and interpret that data, it becomes entirely possible to alter that construct—that internal model. The way psychoactive substances affect the mind is perhaps the most striking example. Illusions, and even hallucinations, are merely distortions within that perceptual and mental framework inside our heads.

As for what you just read—you are looking at the idealistic or metaphysical ramblings of spiritualists who often lack even a fundamental scientific understanding of the subjects they love to philosophize about. Nothing groundbreaking.

The core concept here is that the universe is some sort of mental construct, or perhaps even a dream occurring within some cosmic mind or consciousness. In that sense, it isn't "real" in the traditional sense—it exists as something even more substantial than physical reality, which serves as merely a manifestation of a higher plane of existence.

Yeah, something like that... 🙂

Daniel Castillo11 said:In my view, the true illusion lies in our tendency to project meaning and intention onto natural processes—what many label as "spirit"—where none truly exists. It’s much like how we understand at a subatomic level that matter is essentially a constant, seamless interaction with its surroundings. To me, "spirit" functions more as a metaphor for the profound interconnectedness of all things at a foundational level.

The concept of the soul serves as a religious metaphor for the idea that a person possesses individuality—that distinct sense of "I" or "mine," which encompasses our emotions, desires, motivations, and personal struggles.

Throughout history, humans have always felt there was something more to them than just their biological base, leading them to speculate that this "other" layer of reality was somehow detached from the physical world. This gave rise to all sorts of theories regarding different dimensions, gods, souls, or energies. But if we look at it through a modern lens, we can see that what people called the soul is, in fact, just the psyche. We don't need to lean on superstitions to acknowledge the existence of the human psyche.

I could certainly agree with that...

Ryan Wilson2 said:Physical reality cannot be an illusion.

An illusion can only exist if one mistakes their own identity—the soul or the spirit—for physical reality. Of course, that assumes you even believe in the existence of a soul or spirit to begin with. 😁

Yeah, precisely.🙂

So, I was reading somewhere that everything physically surrounding us is actually just an illusion. Honestly, that sounds a little insane to me. It makes me wonder what "reality" even means, because trying to identify myself as some kind of infinite consciousness feels totally out of reach. To me, everything boils down to the body and the mind. I wouldn't go identifying my spirit with some abstract soul or any of those similar concepts, because at the end of the day, it’s all just brain chemistry and psychological states. One is inextricably linked to the other and they both function in tandem, so trying to separate them feels like nothing more than pure fantasy. I don't see how that could possibly be real, so... I guess you guys can weigh in? I've never really been into spiritual circles or anything, so I don't actually know the full depth behind these ideas. I've dabbled in looking into Buddhism and Krishnaism here and there, but that's about it. I'm not a believer in God.

Nobody is actually better than anyone else unless they have this desperate need to feel superior; a true winner is someone whose actions actually change the lives of those who are struggling

vividotter7 said:I’ve spent plenty of time visualizing the life I want, and I have a clear picture of it, but motivation just isn't there. I can't find the drive to start anything, and even when I do, I get bored within two weeks. It might sound strange, but nothing actually moves the needle for me right now. My only real goal is to wake up tomorrow and do the exact same thing. I'm stuck in this endless loop of coffee runs and hanging out with friends. I spend most of my time socializing, though sometimes I prefer being alone, and that’s just how it is.
Regarding work, I've been applying everywhere, trying to find something that lets me work while finishing my degree so I can be financially independent. At 21, it's embarrassing having to ask my parents for gas money or cash to go out. The reality is that nobody wants to hire someone with just a high school diploma and zero experience. I just want a job to break this monotony—something to give me a reason to actually get out of bed in the morning.

Look, try volunteering. That’s what I started doing, and maybe it’ll give you a sense of purpose. To be honest, I don't have any motivation either; I'm pretty much constantly on the verge of a depressive episode and feeling completely lost. I only see my friends once or twice a week, sometimes even less, I don't know. I don't have a girlfriend, and since I only have a high school diploma and no degree, I'm seriously struggling. But even so, I volunteer and I keep hunting for a job. When it comes to motivation, I think it helps to look at it this way: even hanging out with people shouldn't feel pointless, because you're sharing experiences, whether they're good or bad. Every single experience should ideally push you to move forward. Same goes for things that matter in life, or maybe things that used to matter to you—like old hobbies or stuff you used to love doing. Try to find something like that and sink your teeth into it. Discover some new music, watch a new movie, play a game, try learning a new skill. If you're single, try talking to someone out there and see where it goes. That's how I try to motivate myself; it doesn't always go as smoothly as I'd like, but I'm trying. The most important thing is to stay active and not let yourself get buried under those heavy thoughts that just drag you down.

vividotter7 said:I’m not entirely sure why I ended up in this subforum. Sometimes I want some advice or just a conversation, but then again, I have zero interest in talking about my feelings or what’s on my mind.
I’ve spent my whole life avoiding emotional discussions, skipping serious talks, and dodging responsibility. It worked perfectly fine for me until two days ago. I’ve always been a stoic—someone who doesn't sweat the small stuff, doesn't get attached to people, and doesn't care about material things because they don't matter.

Anyone who knows me would tell you I’m as detached as they come.
Lately, it isn't even about being worried; it’s just that I don't know what to do with myself. I’ve fallen into a rut that I can't seem to break out of, or at least I haven't found the way out yet.
Looking back at my life and everything I've done, I've realized I only ever do things because I feel like doing them in the moment, not because there's any long-term benefit.
I don't have a grand life goal, no drive to accomplish anything, and no vision for the future. In fact, I don't even think about the future.
The past doesn't cross my mind either; I just live day to day.
I'm getting tired of this lifestyle, especially regarding motivation. I’m currently repeating a year at my university, and while I know I should study for the sake of my career, I just can't force myself to hit the books. And it's not just school; it's everything.
Whatever I start, I do for a little while and then quit as soon as I get bored.

I've written too much. I won't go into the details since there's already plenty of content here.
I'd be open to some advice.

Try to actually visualize the kind of life you want to lead and start taking steps toward it. Try to find motivation in the things you already have or the interests that usually get you moving. Get out more, socialize, and ask people you actually trust for their perspective. I'm in a similar boat right now, though unfortunately, I already dropped out of college. For me, volunteering has been somewhat fulfilling; maybe through that, I'll stumble upon a career path I actually care about. Honestly, any job is a good job, even if it's just working sanitation or something. The point is to be doing *something*, to be actively engaged in something...

Nicholas Gonzalez8 said:Volunteering is a solid move. 🙂

Maybe try diving into some totally different genres of music. I get that feeling too—where if I listen to the same kind of stuff for too long, I just tune out. Same thing happens with movies.

I actually just ordered a dartboard for my room; I figure it'll be a lifesaver for killing time when I'm cooped up inside. My plan is to pair throwing darts with listening to audiobooks. It's relaxing but also productive. You can work out, build something, or just drift off into a rabbit hole on a forum like this. 😉 And whenever the chance hits, you just head outside where things feel a little more manageable.

Man, living with paranoia is absolutely exhausting. Honestly, if I just had to deal with anxiety, I could handle that, but paranoia is different—you start inventing scenarios in your head that aren't even real. Like, if someone gives you a weird look on the street, you immediately spiral into fear. You're constantly under this crushing stress, and it makes it impossible to actually enjoy anything. Medication has helped me somewhat, but I still feel paranoid whenever I step out the door. I found a local support group here in the city that deals specifically with these kinds of psychological issues, so I'm just waiting for them to find a meeting space so therapy sessions can start. Plus, I'm already attending a workshop for depression where we can just talk through things, which is fine, but paranoia is a total nightmare. I honestly don't know if I'll ever truly get past it. I believe it all stems from the sum of every negative experience I've had and how people have treated me in those moments, combined with being overly obsessed with what others think and the massive amount of stress I dealt with back during my college years. I really think that stress was the main trigger; I simply had nowhere to channel all that negativity I was accumulating for years, so it eventually manifested as paranoia. To be honest, I'm terrified that things might get even worse. Because of my struggles, I've almost lost my friends... I've found some music that helps right now, mostly chill electronic tracks 🙂 and I've been running, and doing some pushups here and there

Nicholas Gonzalez8 said:Look, since you’re clearly running low on support and could use some positive vibes, it might be worth trying to branch out—find some fresh, interesting people to hang out with, both in the real world and online. Honestly, I think even just diving into discussions like this can help lift the fog a little bit.

How do you actually snap out of it for those few minutes when that sense of emptiness and depression starts creeping in? What kind of thoughts or specific triggers usually set it off?

I guess I was exaggerating a little, but if I catch an interesting movie—which doesn't happen often—I can manage to feel okay for about an hour while it's playing. Afterward, I’ll listen to music, but unfortunately, I don't feel or experience music nearly the way I used to. It used to drive me, it was there for me through everything I went through, etc., etc... now, music is mostly just boring because I can't actually *feel* it anymore. Talking to people and meeting new faces helps me, which is why I started volunteering, but once I'm back home, I feel like I'm stuck in a prison cell. I have absolutely no clue how to fill my time when nothing productive comes to mind except for what I already told you: it's either suicidal thoughts or just all these frustrations that have piled up over time and that I probably can't even fix right away. When I'm out in public, I'm usually dealing with this nagging paranoia that keeps me stressed out; the only times I actually feel relaxed are when I find something genuinely interesting or when I'm taking a shower. And because I feel so low, it's incredibly hard to find anything interesting enough to actually occupy my mind. At home, I barely talk to anyone besides my brother, and I won't touch a journal because it just irritates me, so yeah, that's pretty much it...

Nicholas Gonzalez8 said:Everything and anything from daily life: noticing a sunset, catching someone's smile, treating yourself to a new meal, learning a cool new skill, meeting different people, getting active, stuff like that. It's the little things that make a massive difference in a person's life—or at least they can, if you actually bother to pay attention.

Look, I get that it isn't always easy, but you're basically pre-calculating your own failures and then planning how poorly you're going to react to them. With an attitude like that, you've already failed before you've even stepped onto the field. The truth is, you just need a bit of playfulness... just to try stuff out. Not necessarily to find your "one true calling," but just to have some fun exploring things. Most of it will just pass through your life, and that’s fine. But if you stay active, there's a pretty good chance that sooner or later you'll stumble onto something you actually like more than the rest, something you'll actually want to dive deeper into.

I don't know, it just pisses me off that nothing can pull me away from this sense of despair, emptiness, and depression for more than two minutes. When I started taking meds, I figured, whatever, let's just try them and see what happens. I expected to feel at least somewhat happy again, but absolutely nothing happened. My days are just wasted; I don't see anything beautiful in them besides this constant, nagging hopelessness that follows me everywhere. I can't get any other thoughts through my head except suicidal ones and general frustration over things that I either don't have the strength to change or simply *can't* change. I have zero motivation for anything. I've always had a pathetic opinion of myself, and since it's always depended on what other people think, I honestly have no clue how I'm ever supposed to move forward or what I could even do. I have nobody to talk to because my friends don't have enough empathy to help, and my psychiatrist isn't any better. I just feel like the light inside me went out, and now I'm stuck in some vehicle that I'm supposed to drive, but there's no steering wheel and no gas in the tank. I just sit here looking out the window at other people who seem to actually live in the moment and enjoy themselves, while I'm completely disconnected from them and from life itself. I truly have no idea how to find my way back. Time isn't my friend; it doesn't bring me anything good and never has. I don't believe in God, so there's no help there either, and my family is in their own depression, so they can go screw themselves.

Nicholas Gonzalez8 said:Look, I’ve been through my own version of depression—I clawed my way out of it, anyway. It wasn't quite as intense as what you guys are dealing with, but I get it, I really do... it's heavy. But honestly? Life isn't just one long, exhausting grind where you're fighting for absolutely nothing. There is actual beauty in this world, seriously, but you have to train your brain to actually see it—which is hard, because most people spend their entire lives basically training themselves to hunt for the negative. For me, the real turning point was keeping this sort of "positivity log." I started jotting down good stuff—cool quotes I stumbled upon, nice things that happened, decent conversations, little wins, big wins, whatever gave me a reason to be grateful. And the weird thing is, the more I wrote, the more I started noticing those things in real time, and I felt better for it. Getting active physically helps a ton, too.

Obviously, this isn't a magic wand—you still have a mountain of issues to work through piece by piece—but that's how it works. You take these tiny, almost insignificant daily steps, and eventually, they add up to massive changes in how you live your life.

It would be so much easier if I actually knew what I was supposed to do with my life. Any time I try to start something, I know it's just going to end in pure tension and stress... plus, I won't actually enjoy any of it, so I definitely won't be good at it. I'm the kind of person who quits way too fast. If I could just wake up one morning and realize, "Okay, I'm going to be a doctor," man, I'd give it everything I had. I'd grind through med school, push myself to the limit, and that would be it. I'd probably actually be proud of my career and feel satisfied. But instead, I'll just be stressed and tense doing whatever I pick, especially since I bail so easily and my self-esteem is basically non-existent. To be honest, I don't see myself fitting into any job at all. Hell, I even tried writing songs for my guitar, only to realize I hated them and ended up tearing them up :P. Sometimes it feels like, with this kind of mindset, I shouldn't have even been born... that's pretty much how I've felt my whole life.

Jacob Mitchell3 said:I feel the exact same way.
But I don't use medication.
Because pills don't provide any sense of meaning.
Once you become truly aware of how repulsive everything is, it’s over. Though, technically, that is the true beginning. That is when you finally wake up. But life is only possible while you are asleep. Once you are awake, everything is revolting. Everyone knows this. That’s why people distract themselves and numb their senses with various methods. The ultimate goal of life, for most, is to cease existing. If you can't figure that out yourself, psychiatrists will hand you a prescription. That's the extent of it.

Unfortunately, I’m right there with you on this. We’re living in an era where everyone is basically pretending they have their act together, but finding someone who can actually hold a quality, conscious conversation is becoming nearly impossible. People just drift through, grabbing whatever is easiest, using pills to "help," which honestly just turns them into zombies and prevents them from ever truly experiencing life. And the stigma today? If you admit you're on medication, people immediately label you as "unstable" or "crazy." The sad truth is that hardly anyone is "normal" anymore, and as time goes on, it feels like things are just going to get worse and worse. It's not because I'm depressed; it's because nobody wants to admit they *are* depressed or take any responsibility for it. Besides, life itself is largely composed of depression—if it isn't just one big, senseless struggle for nothing. It's a cycle of chasing money, which is just disposable anyway, driven by a population where 90% of people think money is the answer to everything. When you factor in the constant crises and the non-stop bombardment of negative news from the media, I genuinely wonder how anyone is supposed to stay optimistic, sane, or follow any actual values when people choose to see only what they want to see... which is usually something negative.

placidwolf27 said:The root issue is a serotonin deficiency—which is why I’m on medication—but even then, the sensation remains utterly revolting. I honestly don't know what kind of perspective one is supposed to adopt toward something that makes you feel physically sick... when you strip everything else away, all that's left is the fact that I am alive and I can feel that existence, and frankly, the feeling is disgusting. It’s exhausting, unnecessary, frustrating, and so profoundly meaningless that it feels like it just invalidates my entire being... and I haven't the slightest clue what to do about it.

I realize I might feel differently if my brain functioned differently, but I truly don't believe I'll ever be able to view life through a different lens; at best, I might eventually reach a point where I simply stop caring.

The greater struggle, though, is this constant state of internal conflict—I just can't accept it. I feel desperate, irritable... everything feels so pointless and futile that it directly irritates and drains me. I feel trapped, as if this whole existence was forced upon me, and I'm just furious about it. I hate it all.

You should try psychotherapy. A psychiatrist, unless they are exceptionally good, won't really spend much time talking to you, whereas in therapy, they'll presumably try to help you process those emotions and give you tools to deal with them. I'm on antidepressants too, and I feel dead inside, like I'm just trapped within my own head.🙂

I feel like this topic might have come up before, much like those threads about self-improvement, but I figured I’d give it a shot anyway. This leans more toward the philosophical side of things, but let's dive in. I’m genuinely curious: what actually brings you happiness? What does it look like for you, and when exactly do you feel that sense of fulfillment? Is happiness something you believe is a mental state anyone can cultivate through effort—something we should all be striving for—or is it just another fleeting moment that passes by like everything else in life? To be honest, I’ve reached a stage where I’m deeply fascinated by how other people process these things. After feeling pretty disconnected from everyone for a while, I now find myself with this intense urge to understand different perspectives. Every single thought you share is welcome.