Replying to Nobody

What motivates you?

When I was young and well-meaning adults asked me, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I responded, "A butterfly" despite knowing that can't be. I used this well into my teens in part because I had no idea and in part to watch them squirm because they dared assume I should know such things...

Now I'm in my mid-thirties and in my final year of university. But I don't want to do the things that I entered university for (Gov foreign policy analyst). I should be writing assignments now but I can't. I used to use nice daydreams of where I could go with my degree to motivate me, but it no longer works.

It's been a struggle for over six months and apparently the fear of failing isn't even enough to keep me going.

Tell me, what should I do in this situation?

#grownostr #StudentLife #HelpMe
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[ARCHIVED] Jay 2y ago

I don't have good advice. Good advice is hard to give.

I'd suggest reading Man's Search For Meaning and The Alchemist.

What motivates me is a passion to know the truth of things and to use my efforts as investments in myself and my future. Maybe less thought of what I want to be or what I want to do. Maybe more thought on what I don't want to be and what I don't want to do.

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Nobody 2y ago

That's an interesting take. I was using 'not failing this semester' to keep me going before but it's lost all utility now...

I think I stressed less about what I wanted to do when I didn't know the truth. Learning it seems to have done me a huge disservice. I shall have to think about ways to utilise it and see if I can't use it as motivation. Thanks, there's alot to think about. I'll look up those books when I'm on holidays.

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[ARCHIVED] Jay 2y ago

I believe you can make it though this semester. Sometimes it's not the subject or the work or the reward that can motivate you, but how you do it.

Just general things:

Work in a clean environment.

Take long walks.

Eat real food.

Get plenty of sleep.

Touch grass and bask in the sun.

Talk to people in person.

Be mindful of your thoughts and actions.