3 ms·

Yeah, I feel like I never knew what I want. I realize I want something, set myself to get it, but in the process I realize that's not quite what I wanted to beg

Yeah, I feel like I never knew what I want. I realize I want something, set myself to get it, but in the process I realize that's not quite what I wanted to begin with, so I have to start again. And again, and again. It's been like this for as long as I can remember. And I have suffered all along the way. How does one figure out what they want anyway? Do you have to quit life for a while, embark on a spiritual journey into your own mind? Take psychedelic drugs? Spend a month without saying a word? I know I sound condescending, but really, this is how I feel. I wish I felt different, and I've been working on that. Last year has been a blast, I've learned a lot, I feel like I have made real progress. But I still feel lost.

throw_this_one 8y ago
Same here man, I'm 26 too. Have gotten some good thoughts from HN and other places. But part of me really just wants to quit for a few months and be alone and out in the world, get out in nature and away from social media and the city folk. Meditation has been very helpful. I also wonder about psychedelics. Maybe being with a good, relaxed friend in nature could be a good setting. But I also think, from my experience with the herb, that it might make me even more questioning, paranoid, and unsure.
meric 8y ago
Take a read of Tao Te Ching. It's written 2500 years ago about spirituality. Find a translation you like. Don't read explanations of the poems - It's designed for you to find the meaning yourself. Once you've gotten a meaning for each of the poems in relation to your life (Chinese philosophy is generally experiential rather than rational, subjective rather than objective), I'm hopeful it will help you get "there" wherever "there" is. I don't think it'd take you more than a few months to a year to get through the book. So I'd go for "embark on a spiritual journey into your own mind". My life is completely different than 4-5 years ago. Most of the acquaintances I knew then probably think I've gone nuts, (and IMO selfish to show them how good my life is now), but my best friendships have become even better; I really like where I am right now in my life - every day I wake up and enjoy it - At this point in my life I've spirituality, health, family, finance all sorted. I've met hundreds or thousands of people in my life, have not met anyone else who've got these four things together as well as has happened to me yet (except my wife) - and I don't know if it will last; but it all started when I started poring over those poems. Anyway - most people these days tend towards an atheist/rationalist point of view and have no interest in books on spirituality & religion from 2000+ years ago, and if you did not ask the question I would not have written this comment. I do hope it helps you on your way.

throw_this_one 8y ago

Same here man, I'm 26 too. Have gotten some good thoughts from HN and other places. But part of me really just wants to quit for a few months and be alone and out in the world, get out in nature and away from social media and the city folk. Meditation has been very helpful. I also wonder about psychedelics. Maybe being with a good, relaxed friend in nature could be a good setting. But I also think, from my experience with the herb, that it might make me even more questioning, paranoid, and unsure.

meric 8y ago

Take a read of Tao Te Ching. It's written 2500 years ago about spirituality. Find a translation you like. Don't read explanations of the poems - It's designed for you to find the meaning yourself. Once you've gotten a meaning for each of the poems in relation to your life (Chinese philosophy is generally experiential rather than rational, subjective rather than objective), I'm hopeful it will help you get "there" wherever "there" is. I don't think it'd take you more than a few months to a year to get through the book. So I'd go for "embark on a spiritual journey into your own mind". My life is completely different than 4-5 years ago. Most of the acquaintances I knew then probably think I've gone nuts, (and IMO selfish to show them how good my life is now), but my best friendships have become even better; I really like where I am right now in my life - every day I wake up and enjoy it - At this point in my life I've spirituality, health, family, finance all sorted. I've met hundreds or thousands of people in my life, have not met anyone else who've got these four things together as well as has happened to me yet (except my wife) - and I don't know if it will last; but it all started when I started poring over those poems. Anyway - most people these days tend towards an atheist/rationalist point of view and have no interest in books on spirituality & religion from 2000+ years ago, and if you did not ask the question I would not have written this comment. I do hope it helps you on your way.