I am living the absolute lowest-quality life imaginable (and I'm being dead serious)

Mark Martinez4 said:Oh, so you don't have any problems at all?? ☕

I deal with issues so profound that reading something like this actually strikes me as laughable... It seems to me that life is going quite smoothly for you, considering you view a topic like this as some sort of catastrophe...

cosmicmaker6 said:I deal with issues so profound that reading something like this actually strikes me as laughable... It seems to me that life is going quite smoothly for you, considering you view a topic like this as some sort of catastrophe...

Well, I’m dealing with them too—and trust me, it isn't funny at all. In fact, I'm pretty sure my situation is even more intense than yours...
Sending my best, 😉

Everyone thinks their own problems are the biggest in the world—kind of like how people feel about their own anatomy, I suppose. 😉
There isn't anything better out there, so you might as well just learn to be happy with what you've got. 😁

As I’ve already pointed out, everyone carries their own heavy burdens, and while that doesn't mean I lack empathy for what others are going through, I have to admit... when I first saw the title of this thread, I thought to myself, "Who knows what kind of nonsense I'm about to stumble upon," only to find that... well, perhaps it's better if I just keep my thoughts to myself.

I used to be exactly where you are right now...
It’s like I just didn't have the energy to care about helping anyone, including myself. I was lazy about everything, and my go-to excuse was always, "Oh, don't blame me, it's just my zodiac sign." Yeah, sure, whatever you say—I was a Pisces through and through, both sun and rising, so I really leaned into that nonsense. Then the depression hit, and it wasn't just a phase; it was a total shutdown. I couldn't function in social settings at all. I felt like a complete loser in every aspect of my life.
I honestly convinced myself that I was a lost cause. I had zero accomplishments to my name, no hobbies, no goals—absolutely nothing. I was stuck in this soul-crushing job that I absolutely loathed, but I stayed because I was too terrified to take a risk or even make a move.
But then one day, I just reached my limit with playing the victim. I realized people were starting to write me off as an idiot because I’d completely withdrawn from my friends; we had nothing to talk about anymore, and I was just drifting. Once I finally scraped together enough courage to change, I took action. First, I saw a psychiatrist. Then, I quit that awful job. Around that same time, I decided I wanted to start a family, and when I had my baby girl, my entire world shifted. She became my foundation. She gave me the strength to actually fight for a life worth living, rather than just existing. If I can give you any advice, it's this: find that one thing that makes you feel alive and just go for it. The hardest part is simply breaking the inertia. Once you get moving, everything else starts falling into place. You've got this.

ps. Honestly, I'd grab a coffee with you in a heartbeat if I could.
🙂
🙂

Olivia Rivera77, I am truly relieved to hear that everything worked out for you in the end... I have navigated similar waters myself, though unfortunately, that was merely one disappointing chapter in a much longer series of setbacks. It can be incredibly difficult to break free from that downward spiral, but if there is one thing I have learned, it is that you ultimately have to be your own advocate... because, quite frankly, no one else is going to step in and do the heavy lifting for you.

@ OP!

Honestly, I find it hard to believe your parents haven't checked your transcripts in three years, especially since you kept insisting everything was fine "somewhere else."

Everyone knows college students enjoy a bit of freedom 😵. Claiming there are "no grades to show" month after month, year after year, sounds suspicious. To me, it sounds like a fairy tale for children. I respect parental trust, but sometimes kids need a little oversight.

I am not suggesting you have to run to Mom and Dad after every single midterm to show them your GPA. But the fact that they haven't seen your student portal in three years and still believe you are progressing successfully 😕 😕 😕—not realizing you haven't even finished your freshman year in three years—is truly strange.

It is almost as if they are intentionally keeping their eyes closed and ears shut because they don't want to face the reality of your transcript.

If you want my honest take, I think the author is being a bit spoiled. I mean... just sitting around in a room waiting for life to happen to you... it’s absolutely delusional.

cosmicmaker6 said:Olivia Rivera77, I am truly relieved to hear that everything worked out for you in the end... I have navigated similar waters myself, though unfortunately, that was merely one disappointing chapter in a much longer series of setbacks. It can be incredibly difficult to break free from that downward spiral, but if there is one thing I have learned, it is that you ultimately have to be your own advocate... because, quite frankly, no one else is going to step in and do the heavy lifting for you.

Facts. You really can only rely on yourself... hope you managed to get everything sorted out on your end too. Sending love.😍

Sorry for the off-topic tangent!

I truly hope you’ve managed to sort through all your own complications as well...

It’s just one of those things, isn't it? Just when you think you've finally cleared the deck, a new set of issues decides to show up uninvited. I’ve been dealing with some long-standing struggles myself, though I am working quite diligently to resolve them...

cosmicmaker6 said:

I truly hope you’ve managed to sort through all your own complications as well...

It’s just one of those things, isn't it? Just when you think you've finally cleared the deck, a new set of issues decides to show up uninvited. I’ve been dealing with some long-standing struggles myself, though I am working quite diligently to resolve them...

That's just life for you, isn't it?
Sending my best to everyone! 😉

vividtiger50 said:I’m just a clone, obviously, so I know exactly how much people hate clickbait headlines. 😍
I’m not entirely sure what I’m hoping to achieve by starting this thread; maybe I just need a little bit of support, or even some insults or sympathy—honestly, anything just to feel like someone is talking to me, because I feel incredibly lonely. 😢

So, I guess I should start from the beginning. Back in high school, I was an excellent student without ever really having to try, which meant I never actually developed any real work ethic. I managed to get into the university I wanted without much trouble and moved away from my small hometown to this massive city. When the first deadlines rolled around, I passed a couple of exams, and then suddenly—just like that—everything changed. College felt pointless, I realized it wasn't what I actually wanted to do, and I just lost all motivation to study. I ended up spending most of the next two months just lying around the house, watching TV, or out drinking. Since attendance isn't strictly mandatory at my university, I took full advantage of that, and for the next few months, the campus didn't see me at all. By the time the next round of finals came, I hadn't passed a single thing, and that continued for the next three years. As my friends from school started moving into their senior years, we had less and less to talk about, our schedules stopped lining up, and bit by bit, I just drifted away. Yeah, I don't have anyone. I grew distant from everyone back home, lost touch with the people from college, and honestly, I don't even know who I could grab a coffee with tomorrow if I wanted to.

I'm 23 now, and I have no idea what my future holds. I don't have any real job skills to speak of, so I can't exactly be independent and stop relying on my parents, though I suppose I don't spend too much money since, as I mentioned, I have no one to go out with. I've basically locked myself in my apartment and stopped leaving. A few times a week I'll head to the grocery store or maybe take a short walk, but the rest of my time is spent in front of the TV or online; I've written ten thousand posts here, for goodness' sake. 😳

Nothing brings me joy anymore; every day feels identical. I only change out of my pajamas under very unusual circumstances, and I feel quite pathetic. I'm no expert, but I suspect I might be dealing with depression. There have been moments where I've thought about just ending it all to stop this stagnation, but I'm quickly snapped back to reality by the thought that I have no friends and no one would even show up to my funeral, which would lead my mom to realize things aren't as great as I tell her they are. 😢

I realize that my behavior is terribly childish and immature; I'm aware of it all. I spend my nights crying and feeling desperate, feeling small and worthless and ashamed, yet I just can't seem to force myself to change. I'll sit down to study, and then my mind just drifts away, and that's that. I don't know, I really don't. And I suppose I'm doing this for selfish reasons, just wanting to find some relief for my soul.

If anyone actually read this, I apologize for venting like this, but I feel a little bit better now. 😢

Maybe the issue isn't actually college—maybe you’re just feeling generally low and that's why you have zero motivation to do anything at all, including school stuff..

I don't know what your major is, but unless you're pulling an engineering degree at MIT or something equally brutal, you can definitely push through your freshman year until September.. pick one easier elective and start grinding on it; maybe knocking out just one exam will give you enough momentum to keep going.. I personally had periods where I was trailing behind my friends by four or five classes, and there were times when I couldn't even bring myself to leave my apartment—so I get how you're feeling 🙂
If that doesn't work—just get a job.. I'm sure there's something out there you could do. Just anything to stop you from spending your entire life staring at a TV screen 🙂 plus, you might actually feel useful for once!

Or you could sign up for a class.. a language, photography, dance, whatever catches your eye.. obviously, the people you meet won't become your ride-or-dies overnight, but at least you'll have some fresh faces around you!

Or get a dog if you're an animal person!

And honestly, you could try talking to your parents and just explaining how much you're struggling..

Anyway, good luck! *hugs*

Just so you know, everyone hits this wall at some point in college. It happened to me during my sophomore year right in the middle of finals week. I didn't even leave my dorm. I basically did nothing until the end of the year, then suddenly realized what was happening and crushed all my exams. You’re clearly in the same spot, you just haven't figured out how to handle it yet or maybe you just hate your major.

Bottom line: figure out what you actually want to do with your life. If you're over it, enroll in a different program. If not, stick it out—you can always pivot to something more creative later, but it'd be a waste to drop out when you've already put in the work.

Once you find your lane, things will settle down. Everyone loses their way sometimes. Talk to your parents; they usually understand more than you think they do, regardless of how you feel about them right now.

Good luck.🙂

Give her a break, seriously. She’s lost right now, and she probably hasn't even realized how fast the clock is ticking on her.

I’ve always stayed on top of my payments, so this isn't about sympathy. It’s just a fact: once you start falling behind, people stop paying attention to you.

If you need some actual encouragement: I know people who spent a few years drifting aimlessly. Once they finally snapped out of it, they finished their degrees and landed great jobs with solid salaries because they didn't burn all their resources during college.

Don't quit on yourself.

So, why can't pampered, self-proclaimed geniuses actually handle an emotional breakdown?

Nowadays, just being a sane human being is considered a fine art.

Besides, the isolation in cities like Chicago is brutal. You move from a small town and suddenly you don't know a soul. It’s even worse if you aren't living with roommates and instead find yourself stuck in an apartment, drifting around like a ghost. It isn't easy. Doesn't matter how smart you are or how much cash your parents wire you every month. We aren't animals; we're people.

vividtiger50 said:I’m just a clone, obviously, so I know exactly how much people hate clickbait headlines. 😍
I’m not entirely sure what I’m hoping to achieve by starting this thread; maybe I just need a little bit of support, or even some insults or sympathy—honestly, anything just to feel like someone is talking to me, because I feel incredibly lonely. 😢

So, I guess I should start from the beginning. Back in high school, I was an excellent student without ever really having to try, which meant I never actually developed any real work ethic. I managed to get into the university I wanted without much trouble and moved away from my small hometown to this massive city. When the first deadlines rolled around, I passed a couple of exams, and then suddenly—just like that—everything changed. College felt pointless, I realized it wasn't what I actually wanted to do, and I just lost all motivation to study. I ended up spending most of the next two months just lying around the house, watching TV, or out drinking. Since attendance isn't strictly mandatory at my university, I took full advantage of that, and for the next few months, the campus didn't see me at all. By the time the next round of finals came, I hadn't passed a single thing, and that continued for the next three years. As my friends from school started moving into their senior years, we had less and less to talk about, our schedules stopped lining up, and bit by bit, I just drifted away. Yeah, I don't have anyone. I grew distant from everyone back home, lost touch with the people from college, and honestly, I don't even know who I could grab a coffee with tomorrow if I wanted to.

I'm 23 now, and I have no idea what my future holds. I don't have any real job skills to speak of, so I can't exactly be independent and stop relying on my parents, though I suppose I don't spend too much money since, as I mentioned, I have no one to go out with. I've basically locked myself in my apartment and stopped leaving. A few times a week I'll head to the grocery store or maybe take a short walk, but the rest of my time is spent in front of the TV or online; I've written ten thousand posts here, for goodness' sake. 😳

Nothing brings me joy anymore; every day feels identical. I only change out of my pajamas under very unusual circumstances, and I feel quite pathetic. I'm no expert, but I suspect I might be dealing with depression. There have been moments where I've thought about just ending it all to stop this stagnation, but I'm quickly snapped back to reality by the thought that I have no friends and no one would even show up to my funeral, which would lead my mom to realize things aren't as great as I tell her they are. 😢

I realize that my behavior is terribly childish and immature; I'm aware of it all. I spend my nights crying and feeling desperate, feeling small and worthless and ashamed, yet I just can't seem to force myself to change. I'll sit down to study, and then my mind just drifts away, and that's that. I don't know, I really don't. And I suppose I'm doing this for selfish reasons, just wanting to find some relief for my soul.

If anyone actually read this, I apologize for venting like this, but I feel a little bit better now. 😢

Look. You're not even old. Go to the university library and study there. You'll meet people your own age. You'll actually have stuff to talk about. The upside of repeating a year is that you're constantly meeting new people. 😂
Just kidding, but seriously, listen to me. Locking yourself behind four walls hasn't helped anyone. 👍

Olivia Rivera77 said:I used to be exactly where you are right now...
It’s like I just didn't have the energy to care about helping anyone, including myself. I was lazy about everything, and my go-to excuse was always, "Oh, don't blame me, it's just my zodiac sign." Yeah, sure, whatever you say—I was a Pisces through and through, both sun and rising, so I really leaned into that nonsense. Then the depression hit, and it wasn't just a phase; it was a total shutdown. I couldn't function in social settings at all. I felt like a complete loser in every aspect of my life.
I honestly convinced myself that I was a lost cause. I had zero accomplishments to my name, no hobbies, no goals—absolutely nothing. I was stuck in this soul-crushing job that I absolutely loathed, but I stayed because I was too terrified to take a risk or even make a move.
But then one day, I just reached my limit with playing the victim. I realized people were starting to write me off as an idiot because I’d completely withdrawn from my friends; we had nothing to talk about anymore, and I was just drifting. Once I finally scraped together enough courage to change, I took action. First, I saw a psychiatrist. Then, I quit that awful job. Around that same time, I decided I wanted to start a family, and when I had my baby girl, my entire world shifted. She became my foundation. She gave me the strength to actually fight for a life worth living, rather than just existing. If I can give you any advice, it's this: find that one thing that makes you feel alive and just go for it. The hardest part is simply breaking the inertia. Once you get moving, everything else starts falling into place. You've got this.

ps. Honestly, I'd grab a coffee with you in a heartbeat if I could.
🙂
🙂

The first things you did to snap out of it were quitting your job and having a kid? Seriously?? That sounds totally reckless.😂🤣
Where on earth did you come from? You're clearly lost. It's the 21st century, for crying out loud.😂

Sophia Gonzalez66 said:Look, you’re only 23. That’s honestly nothing. I feel like I’m just repeating myself from that psychology thread earlier, but seriously—go hit up a gym or find some sport you actually give a damn about. It’s the easiest way to meet people who aren't boring. Plus, you might actually end up going out somewhere. I know, I know, showing up solo feels awkward as hell when you don't have a crew, but you mentioned those classmates from college? Just reach out to them once in a while. Even if they act a little weird about it, it's worth it just to get out there and eventually find your own people...

I've joined a gym several times now, and I've never actually met anyone there.

ruggedmaker36 said:I've joined a gym several times now, and I've never actually met anyone there.

Look, man, there's a massive difference between just showing up and actually sticking with it. If you only went a handful of times... well, no wonder you didn't make any buddies. It’s all about that consistency, you know? Plus, let's be real, most of those meatheads at the local Gold's Gym are total freaks anyway.😳🤣

granitefalcon26 said:The first things you did to snap out of it were quitting your job and having a kid? Seriously?? That sounds totally reckless.😂🤣
Where on earth did you come from? You're clearly lost. It's the 21st century, for crying out loud.😂

Look, if you think getting married and having children is some kind of massive mistake, then I honestly don't know who's talking nonsense here. But listen, I’m not interested in trading insults. You have zero reason to be disrespectful toward me, so please, let's keep this civil. I’m not looking for a fight, and I’m certainly not going to waste my breath trying to justify my life choices to you. If you want to sit there and claim that having kids is stupid, or that making a choice that actually makes me happy is some kind of blunder, fine—that’s your opinion. Go ahead and believe it.

Honestly, quitting your job just to have kids seems pretty reckless to me. You lose all your independence and end up completely dependent on your husband. It’s just not smart. At the end of the day, women aren't just machines built for childbearing.