this post was submitted on 19 Aug 2024
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I recently heard a man say, you should not focus on things that make you sad. There are certain things in life that are always gonna suck, there will always be certain things which you can't change, there is no use worrying about them or hating them.

Unfortunately, I am in a system that handicaps human growth, you don't/can't grow up to your full potential when you live in systems like these. I can't leave anytime soon, and the hyper-realization that had I been in a better system that fosters growth, I won't be as miserable (emphasis on the as here) as I am here. I am hyperaware of certain things. Small things, they steal my mental peace, it can be someone honking incessantly on the streets or anything loud or unnecessary at any time of the day. Reddit shows me some weird stuff when I enter it and that distrubs my peace of mind! I have become very sensitive to these things.

I am sorrounded by all things negative in life, I have all the reason in the world to br resentful and ill-tempered, but resentment is a very dangerous thing, I don't want to be resentful. If I can't he happy here, I just want to be in peace! How can I do this? Venting about my situation helps but it's temporary and it seems to be doing more damage than good.

P.S.: Please don't start with how the American system is bad, it probably is, but there are worse things. I will literally be willing to lose a leg to get there. Also, might take sometime to reply, but I deeply appreciate your responses.

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[–] [email protected] 49 points 3 months ago (1 children)

If you’re on social media, leave it. It’s a drain on your mental wellness.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I guess you are right. It would help.

Also need to block certain the open page and other news on reddit (I need it for other things)

[–] [email protected] 20 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Leave Reddit as well. I moved to Lemmy to free myself from the negativity. Lemmy may not have the same user base size but that tends to keep the crazies out.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 months ago

My 2cents also open another account in Beehaw... I also have a lemmy.ml account since I moved here, thats what I started with, but I see the same rage bait there as reddit... beehaw is a bit more pleasant.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago

This was the best decision of my life.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 3 months ago (2 children)

It might sound stupid, but sometimes (at least for me) I find joy in bringing others joy. I do my best to compliment strangers around me when I notice that they've done something special to make themselves look nice or if I really like a piece of clothing. I go out of my way to bring/send treats to my coworkers or friends when they have a special day coming up. It's a reminder to them (and to myself) that the world is what we make of it, so why not do what we can to make it better? Joy is not a zero-sum game - something that takes me an iota of effort to do can bring huge returns in happiness of others.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 months ago

The best reason to help others is because you are selfish and you like the feeling of helping someone else.

Because it means there is an endless supply of motivation to do the right thing.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

might sound stupid, but sometimes (at least for me) I find joy in bringing others joy.

It doesn't trust me, but my realizations about the system I am living in, isn't helping. When I see a kid, I just become sad, they have no idea what's gonna hite them!

Haha.... you sound like an amazing guy to be with, good for you! I will try to bring joy to those around me who deserve it :)

[–] [email protected] 16 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Start with the little things you can change. Environmental noise, can you get headphones or earplugs? Social media making you feel down, curate your feed, change sites, or even take a breather. Change up a routine, try a different food, or a hobby. Whatever is in your power, a novel experience might be an idea. Decorate/personalize your space. Add some lights, tapestries, whatever you like. These are some ideas I’ve tried personally and enjoyed a few of.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago

Wow, one of the most helpful and actionable comments and there's no upvotes on it, weird! Thank you!!! and you are right!

[–] [email protected] 13 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

First, comparing yourself to others is a recipe for unhappiness. I guarantee unhappiness and ennui is part of every day American life as well. I'm living it. I don't know why I get out of bed each day other than to provide for my family, and I've been out of work for 5 months. Feels like waiting around to die, honestly. Maybe you think being in America would solve your problems, but it just presents a different set.

Second, accept the things you can't change. If you can't fix something, let go of worrying about it. Easier said than done and beware of telling yourself you can't change something when you can, but if there is something you can't fix, let it be. I know you said you've gotten that advice already. It's easy to hear but hard to accept.

Third, set yourself some achievable goals. If it's exercise or reading a book or painting a picture. Especially if it's a step toward fixing one of those things that's big, but not impossible to change. I've seen people build houses with their own hands over several years - one piece at a time. I have a friend who is mid-40's and getting her 4-year degree. One class per semester. She's on class three now. Eventually she will get there. I've set some goals to improve my physical health. It's a long fucking road. I lost 60 lbs. about 8 years ago. Gained it all back. Now it's time to tackle it again.

Fourth, make yourself look for good things. It's a beautiful sunny evening here after days of rain. I didn't achieve much today, but I can appreciate the warmth on my skin and the blue and white sky. My wife is out of the house taking a crafting class with a friend and I'm happy for her because that doesn't happen often. I have some interviews this week and maybe one will be the right fit. Whatever the good things are in your life, find them and spend a little time just appreciating them.

Good luck, my friend.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago

Maybe you think being in America would solve your problems, but it just presents a different set.

It would solve my problems, and yes, it would give me a different better set of problems. America is nowhere at the buttom when it comes to human development.

I know you said you’ve gotten that advice already. It’s easy to hear but hard to accept.

Yes! So much easier to hear!

I’ve set some goals to improve my physical health

Ohh yes, I need to do that to some extent too.

Thank you for your advice :)

[–] [email protected] 9 points 3 months ago

World's on fire, grab some marshmallows and a stick.

World wants to make you miserable, be happy out of sheer spite.

Listen to more ska: yeah we're going to hell, but I have a trumpet.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I also have every reason to be unhappy and resentful. My life hack is to be ANGRY. I am determined to piss off all those who have wronged me by succeeding in life despite them. I went from homeless to 6 figures on pure spite and refuse to help anyone who fucked me over.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago

"Outlive your enemies, be happy and successful in spite of them, and listen to the laments of their women".

-Conan O'Barbarian

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 months ago

Well, I wake up happy every day because I don't really think anyone 'deserves' anything, including physical existence. So I am happy to be physically embodied, so happy nothing hurts most days and that I can move freely and breathe freely. I just kind of think anything above constant agony is above the baseline of existence.

I do think you can deserve things like pay for work, you can earn things. But even so, so many people get so much for nothing, and so many others get nothing for giving so much.

I will wish for your success beyond your expectations.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago

I recommend talk therapy. I think a majority of people could benefit from it, though a smaller ratio of people genuinely need it. I need it. It helps me maintain a sense of balance. I slowly unravel without it. Sounds like it might be helpful for you.

A word of advice in this area: you might need to meet with multiple people before you find the right fit. If it feels off with a person, don't be afraid to shop around to find someone with whom you feel more comfortable. I've had a roughly 50% success rate finding the right fit in decades of therapy. One change was when I moved, one was when a therapist retired. I've had three that were right so far. And I've had three that were clearly not the right fit. Good luck!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

lose a leg to get there

and go bankrupt or die from it when you arrive

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

I didn't mean just get there, I meant have the problems you guys are having. I.e., your problems are better than mine.

I can "get there" even now it was want to, on a tourist visa or something, I meant more like swap places

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Im not american. No way I would move to that hellscape

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

That hellscape you are talking about is the place my people are desperate to get to. Do they think the streets are paved with Gold there, most don't, but they realize it's much better than the current condition they are in, I was referring to that.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Sorry, I'm not quite sure what kind of help you are asking for. I do know one thing though:

Reddit shows me some weird stuff when I enter it and that distrubs my peace of mind!

You really should leave that place if you can. My experience is similar to yours, i also feel like crap after spending time there. Quitting that site and never looking back was a relief i hope you can share.

Unfortunately, I am in a system that handicaps human growth, you don't/can't grow up to your full potential when you live in systems like these

If you're talking about being surrounded by reminders of a system you hate, i can relate. Can you talk more about them without doxxing yourself? If that's not what you want to talk about, then maybe

I am hyperaware of certain things. Small things, they steal my mental peace, it can be someone honking incessantly on the streets or anything loud or unnecessary

Are you asking about help with anxiety and sensory overload issues? Cuz i can relate there too

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago

Sorry, I’m not quite sure what kind of help you are asking for. I do know one thing though:

somewhat like how to cope with this, i..e, I don't want these things to get to me. My life is in shambles and it's in a good part due to the lack of opportunities in my country and I know for a fact that it ain't gonna change anytime soon.

You really should leave that place if you can

I first used to think lemmy is kinda mehh! But this thing is much more peaceful than reddit!

Can you talk more about them without doxxing yourself?

I don't actually want to talk about it, but I have lost hope. I used to think things would get better when I was younger, but they never did. I see the desperation and resentment in my people and the things they do out of it. Resentment is never a good thing! Never! I have seen people delude themselves, live shitty lives for pennies in salary, I used to judge these people, but troubles started when I stopped judging them, I realized these were people just like you and me, if they were in a better system they would be doing some meaningful work and if not that, they would have money for their medical bills (it's much worse than US here, so no comparision)

It's not their fault, but their lives were destroyed, they don't live their lives to the fullest, they didn't reach their peak potential because of the system they are in. It's not their fault! This was my wakeup call! This made me sad beyond belief, I tbch miss the time I judged my people, but I can't go back.

sensory overload issues?

It's a part of a bigger problem, but yes, it would be amazing if I didn't fucking listen to all these machine noises 24/7

Huff.... It felt good to vent, haha... sorry, you helped by asking how you could help!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago

There's a lot of good advice here, but do you have the means to access therapy? It is invaluable to have an ongoing relationship with a professional who can listen, understand, and help you find your way through the problems that make you feel this way.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

I think there's a few things in your response that trigger alarm bells.

First of all, it sounds like your environment is awful. Can you try to change things just a bit? Step by step? Identify what exactly it is (if it's family, try to get some distance to them (try to not hang around them if you can, etc.), if it's friends, try to go out and do your own thing for a bit and maybe try to approach new ppl, if it's school, talk to someone you trust and maybe figure out a solution where you can get some help there.

In general if you can, maybe therapy could help. If it's a permanent thing, and that's what it sounds like, a therapist can help you find solutions to deal with it.

What's kind of odd to me is that you say it's the little things that contribute a lot. Now having a bad day is not odd, but if it's one of the reasons you have a bad life rn, that's odd. I would look into why this still affects you in that magnitude. This something else you could talk with a therapist about.

I know that if you have good mental health usually these small things shouldn't throw you off, they are just a bit annoying. That's basically how usually ppl deal with it.

Now mind you I'm def not judging, I let small things get to me as well, but I'm in therapy for related issues and that's why I know I will improve.

And the thing with social media: basically, there's infinite good things and infinite bad things on social media. But the response to bad things is much stronger than it is too good things, that's why social media has a bias to display bad things (news, etc). So either limiting social media usage can be good, or you can try to curb news and stuff to get less of a skewed view. I did the same - I completely removed my reddit account (which tends to have a more pessimistic user base) and on Lemmy I started unfollowing a lot of news communities. It's just more healthy for me to see more neutral and positive things.

So yeah I hope I could help you. And always remember, as long as you believe it will get better, it will. Your brain has an amazing ability to reinforce positive thinking patterns if you concentrate on them and this in turn makes you behave more positively towards others and therefore can actively help you on your conquest to change your environment. Wish I could link you studies on this rn but I can only give you the good ole trust me bro guarantee.

Good luck on making a change, I believe if you do you can be a big positive influence for others :)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

Focusing on things that makes me sad actually helps me. Before I go to sleep I usually have a meditative dialogue with myself about the things that made me upset during the day, and try to deconstruct the feelings surrounding the "object" of my pain. Sometimes I also just vent to myself, and tell myself that it will be alright.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

This sound a bit like depression, but I am no medical professional.

Imagine all the input you get every day both positive and negative. When we are depressed we do a worse job at filtering out the negative.

If this is how you feel all (or most) of the time for a prolonged period, I would consider talking to your doctor. Antidepressants can help a lot. They can take weeks to months to be effective, but they work.

If you are sceptical about medication, it does not hurt to read about it and how they work.

Anyways, I hope things improve for you!