Why does life become so boring, meaningless and dreadful the older you get???

Yeah, aging’s bitch. You did say you are in the more middle ages. So what is that 40, 50, are 35? It is likely that 200 years ago you wouldn’t be alive at those ages. Today we live a long time. And, much of that time is spent in achieving an objective. And, most of these objectives are focused on improving the circumstance or wealth of others. We call this work.

When we are younger we have more time for the explorer and the mystery of life. We are engaged in activities that are fun. We experience that bliss of entering the flow of being a part of the moment in the most perfect way by being that which only you can be.

Now achieving objectives has it’s place, but it takes a poor second place to bliss. However as time passes this achieving becomes more and more our primary concern, and bliss rarely shows up.

Encouragement for the pursuit of bliss could be beneficial to an enjoyment of our longer lives, but it seems that achievement and accumulation is the rule of the day.

So get used to life of unrewarding work, boredom, and long tense hours of not knowing what the hell is going on.

As to the aches and pains that come with age? Ha, ha, ha. You ain’t seen nothing yet.

Life sucks then you die.

a reply to: lavatrance

I feel the same exact way. Life was so fun and exciting when I was younger.

Youth is indeed wasted on the young.
.
This song always reminds me of how fun life used to be.
it's 1979 by The Smashing Pumpkins. Sorry, I do not know a thing about enbedding a video.

I'm currently experiencing the same thing. Every day is like some dulled existential existence where I feel like I just don't enjoy much anymore, no passion, no excitement, wondering where the time went, etc. and I'm just 41.

I think it's depression. Making me feel used and washed up.

"The more you know, the more you know you don't know." Aristotle? Einstein? but you get it.

Life is awesome and profound the older you get when you know God.

Use your free will and ask God to reveal Himself to you.

otherwise you will have arrested development and your mind will atrophy in the squalor of material "pleasures" that are no longer exciting or interesting.

This is part of the design here. Ask yourself: is Jesus Christ who he said he is?


“The gift of mental power comes from God, Divine Being, and if we concentrate our minds on that truth, we become in tune with this great power. My mother taught me to seek all truth in the Bible.”
--Nikola Tesla

yt: The Bible Is True! ~ The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict
www.youtube.com...


Testimony of the Evangelists by Simon Greenleaf, one of the greatest legal minds that ever lived:

"Lastly, the great character they have portrayed is perfect. It is the character of a sinless Being; of one supremely wise and supremely good. It exhibits no error, no sinister intention, no imprudence, no ignorance, no evil passion, no impatience; in a word, no fault; but all is perfect uprightness, innocence, wisdom, goodness and truth. The mind of man has never conceived the idea of such a character, even for his gods; nor has history or poetry shadowed it forth. The doctrines and precepts of Jesus are in strict accordance with the attributes of God, agreeably to the most exalted idea which we can form of them, either from reason or from revelation. They are strikingly adapted to the capacity of mankind, and yet are delivered with a simplicity and majesty wholly divine. He spake as never man spake. He spake with authority; yet addressed himself to the reason and the understanding of men; and he spake with wisdom, which men could neither gainsay nor resist. In his private life, he exhibits a character not merely of strict justice, but of flowing benignity. He is temperate, without austerity; his meekness and humility are signal; his patience is invincible; truth and sincerity illustrate his whole conduct; every one of his virtues is regulated by consummate prudence; and he both wins the love of his friends, and extorts the wonder and admiration of his enemies. He is represented in every variety of situation in life, from the height of worldly grandeur, amid the acclamations of an admiring multitude, to the deepest abyss of human degradation and woe, apparently deserted of God and man. Yet everywhere he is the same; displaying a character of unearthly perfection, symmetrical in all its proportions, and encircled with splendor more than human. Either the men of Galilee were men of superlative wisdom, and extensive knowledge and experience, and of deeper skill in the arts of deception, than any and all others, before or after them, or they have truly stated the astonishing things which they saw and heard."

originally posted by: lavatrance
I don't get it. I was watching a skateboarding video from the 80's that really got me thinking. Like it dawned on me that when you're younger life is SO MUCH MORE FUN. Like everyday is exciting. Everything is just amazing. Life is worth living. You're passionate about things and people. But as you get older, well, you basically give up. Everything becomes boring, meaningless, dull, tiring, hopeless, stressful, and you almost like go into survival mode.

Like is this normal???

I mean I still try for things and try and do things and enjoy life. But really for the most part there's no joy, no love, no happiness, no hope, no excitment, no authentic fun. It's more or less that you do things out of habits, or whats' familiar to you. Like life is hardly even worth getting out of bed for once you're older. And I'm only in my middle years. I hate to imagine when you're really old and you've had a tone of tragities happen, lots of deaths of close people, lots of pain problems and decease in your body, lots of shattered dreams and career failures, etc etc. Like how would a person deal with all that? But ya it's just totally amazing how miserable life gets the older you get. I just don't get it. Or is it just me? Like I mean, where's the joy, happiness, genuine love, meaning, and hope when you're older?

Just wonder if there's anyway to actually get passionate about life again??? Sometimes feels more like a prison than it does a blessing anymore.

Or am I wrong?

Life for me has been turmoil and poverty and now I'm 40 years old. I've never been to a concert, never really traveled, never done anything exciting. I finally said enough is enough and I have no one else but myself to blame for this. I've created this. Now I'm going to mold it like clay and do something productive every day no matter how small. I don't need college or a degree, I don't need to win the lottery. I've always felt I should be an artist for a living and never acted upon that. Now it's going to happen. I've created my own home made learning lab and schedule for programming, graphic design, 3D animation, photography, digital concept art, and a little web design. I'm going to do it all and be good at it. I will work for no one but myself, I will make a residual income out of a lot of hard work and learning, I'll travel, see things, do things, educate myself, create my own lottery, and a whole new life will materialize from this work and dedication. Life is just beginning for me. This is my suggestion. I realize now that I have to do it because no one else will do it for me. That's for sure.

a reply to: lavatrance

Life is what you make it. As I am approaching the Old Fart days, I can tell you this. You should be cognizant of one thing throughout your life: striving for stability. Financial, friends, relationships. The better you get it on those issues, the better the chance you will have a good time when you get old. Of course there are no guarantees, but planning does help.

a reply to: lavatrance

Now that I am 65, it is my observance that americans don't know how to handle old age. It is just a stage, but the last one. Every day, someone pops in my house, and always gets me moving. I hate the mess the little ones leave, but they are so much fun. It is the energy of the young that makes me want to work through the pain and be of use to them. Sometimes it is money, or babysitting, or advice. I have enough money to travel, to just about anything really. But I have had enough excitement in my life, I like being contented.

I'm addressing your question only. "Why does life become so boring, meaningless and dreadful the older you get?". I would say it is part of the "plan". As I have...you have experienced so much, tried so many things, lived and loved. You've probably done so many times and have even grown to understand exactly how it works, what to expect, etc. And now that you're full of this knowledge and have little more to learn...it has become boring and routine. And at some time in the future, that knowledge that there is little left here for you will be what allows you to decide..."it is my time".

I think it is part of the process. I'm getting there myself...slowly. But one day I will lie there knowing death is coming...and instead of saying "but I've missed so much, tried so few things" I will feel fulfilled, experienced and knowing I have lived my life, peacefully smile...close my eyes and pass on.

a reply to: WeAreAWAKE
Take a trip to Jupiter Florida.

If Vampires exist, their home base must be Jupiter, Fl. I work there on occasion. I have never seen so many elderly folk in one place that are so active and in control.

They dress, act, and live the good life. They put the young folk to shame.

The elderly in Jupiter seem to know the secret to a enjoying life for as long as they can. I will also admit that there is some serious money floating around Jupiter, but a good number of the elderly there, worked hard, invested wisely, and prepared for their retirement very early in the game.

Find what makes you happy and works for you. I shared a secret with on of my patient's that was stuck in depression mode, and was having trouble shaking free. I told him I had a secret weapon that I was going to give him for free, and he could find replacements for it almost anywhere at no cost. He perked up and showed some interest in this magical weapon. I reached in my bag and handed him a #2 pencil and pack of large Post It Notes. He was crest fallen at first until I explained that he couldn't be depressed and draw at the same time. I asked him to give it a try.

Of course he resisted at first. Said he didn't know how to draw, didn't think it would work, every excuse he could think of. Then I showed him some of my work. It was awful and he laughed. He said I think I can do a little bit better than that. I explained it wasn't about making a masterpiece, it was about channeling his mind away from the negatives thoughts that were eating at his soul.

For most people they can only concentrate on one thing at a time. If you are trying to draw an item you are looking at, or from your memory, you won't be able to focus on anything else, so it gives your heart, mind and soul a reprieve.

My patient did not become a great artist, but he was very proud of the work he did and so was I. He says that he never goes anywhere without his secret weapon, he can use it almost any time, anywhere, and has started giving them as gifts to others that he thought could use them.

Sometimes you have to compromise with the curse you have been given. I can't beat the pain I live with but movement seems to decrease it some, and when I combine movement with something that requires focus and attention, I can live with the pain. What does this old fart do. I join a community group and I am now part of a Flash Mob.

I am not telling anyone how to live their life. I am not telling anyone how to think or what to do. I am only sharing an observation. You know what the result is by doing nothing. Try anything. Think outside the box. You have nothing to lose.

All the optimism in this thread is making me a little nauseous.

It's painfully obvious that many of you don't suffer from things like anhedonia or nihilistic views of reality.

As rough as my day to day existence is, I'm so thankful I'm not like you.

originally posted by: Esoterotica
All the optimism in this thread is making me a little nauseous.

It's painfully obvious that many of you don't suffer from things like anhedonia or nihilistic views of reality.

As rough as my day to day existence is, I'm so thankful I'm not like you.

The majority of the responses to the OP are addressing the very specific questions that the OP asked.

Like how would a person deal with all that? But ya it's just totally amazing how miserable life gets the older you get. I just don't get it. Or is it just me? Like I mean, where's the joy, happiness, genuine love, meaning, and hope when you're older? Just wonder if there's anyway to actually get passionate about life again???

If you have been diagnosed with anhedonia and or nihilism, then you very likely can't answer the OP's questions, if you don't have the ability to feel joy. Those that do have the ability to feel joy, and continue to find life meaningful into their older years, are trying to provide the OP with the answers he seeks.

I have to suggest that if the posts here have made you thankful, that they may have been beneficial to you as well, incidentally. Sometimes you have to take your joys from where you find then.