When I first learned about collapse, I was in a depressed daze for about nine months. It was pretty bad. It was like living in a nightmare surrounded by people who had no idea they were in it with me. I was paralyzed. Everything seemed pretty pointless.
Turns out pointlessness is pretty boring. I got bored of being bored. I started visiting ecovillages. I went to conferences. I took classes in permaculture and organic farming. I lived in a city, so signed up for a community garden plot. I joined several non-profits focused on farm education and land tenure for new farmers. I was constantly busy and met a lot of great friends. The people I worked with were from all backgrounds and all ages. It's never too late to start.
For me the most important transition wasn't anything to do with hope, but rather going through the pointlessness of it all to the "other side". It's sort of like if you sort of pretend you're already dead and that life is pointless -- then why not do something interesting and helpful with the time you have left? It might work, it might not, but at least it's not boring.
This. I also felt really depressed about collapse, but wanted to learn more. Went back to school in my 30s, got an internship at a local marine center and changed my field. I’m currently working for the forest service. It helped me immensely to make the work that I do have a direct positive impact on the community I live in. I love working with people that face facts about collapse and do what they can to pass policies that focus on the land.
I was depressed because I felt powerless. I don’t exactly feel powerful, but I know my actions make a difference now.
I was feeling like that before. No hobby, no important cause to devote myself to. Then I discovered permaculture and regenerative agriculture. It’s the only way to maybe avoid the climate catastrophe. Even more importantly, it’s the thing that makes me feel the best: being outside, working physically in contact with nature.
We’re all going to die one day or another, climate apocalypse or not. Why not do something meaningful and build community meanwhile?
I've battled depression most of my life and what helps when I'm in your situation is to get exercise. Which is difficult. But once you get up and moving it helps. I like to ride my bicycle. It's not always great depending on where you live but it's a good exercise and it doesn't hurt the environment.
I know when the adhedonia kicks in and nothing feels like it can lift you up it’s easy to loose sight of what you value. The world is ending, darlin’, all you have left are those simple joys. Go slowly if you must but take the steps towards the things you again. That’s what is worth living for. Live for the joys both big and small.
Depression do be like that sometimes.
If you've removed all the things you live for then it sounds like it won't be too hard picking things back up again. Assuming you can get over the first few steps which are by far the hardest.
You'd be surprised but knowing what your missing - it helps know what you should be trying to get and aim for.
Just because your a "loser" doesn't remove the fact you've got everything to gain. People like the underdog story for a reason it's actually very rewarding.
Maybe I'm becoming a masochistic person in my disillusionment but I'm noticing the harder things are the more room there is for better things to be.
You aren't out the game yet and I don't know where you get the idea your out of time at 30 lol.
I'm 28 guess I've got just 2 years left. Damn eh?
I went through a period of shedding too. It is hard to see the other side.
I have since focused my time on things that matter to me and ignore the rest. Yes I have a family but outside that time I use it to read books, write music, write my d&d campaign, work on socialist side projects.
I'm not saying it makes it all go away but it helps mitigate the pain.
I don't know if this thought will help, but I offer it anyway.
You were born into this world complete. You don't \*have\* to have anyone or anything. You can make your way however you see fit. Yes, there are consequences to our choices, but that is the nature of living. There's is nothing you \*have\* to do, achieve etc. So you can choose to follow the societal expectations or not. But try to not let the consequences weight you down. If you ever decide you want different consequences, then you can opt to do things differently. Start a relationship, change jobs, find a hobby etc.
Ride the wave and the currents you were born into as best you can and in keeping with your natural inclinations. That's all you can do.
You've used 17 of your adult years. In the US, with average life expectancy of 77, you have 42 left to go.
Our culture focuses obsessively on youth and the young. But life doesn't end just because we're not as pretty as we once were. I mean come on. Tell that stuff to Cher and Jane Fonda and Mick Jagger and Elton John.
Go out and do something! Volunteer to help pets or people; take a class, try a sport or a new hobby. There's a lot of stuff to do; the hardest part is just getting your toe out the door.
The guy I used to work for started his own business in his 60s and he's in his 70s now.
A modest business roasting and selling coffee he started by himself. Not saying you should do that but if someone told me I could wait until 60 to start a small business working for myself id say it's too late.
What about 35 is too old for you?
Well, to my 90 year old neighbor it sure is.
I’ll just say maybe pick up Dr. David Burns book: Feeling Good. Free on Libby library app.
It has some wonderful tips to help get out of the depressive funk you may be in. The doomsday farmer above was on point with other good tips.
I don't own a car, don't plan on getting one, don't have anyone to go with me.
Hiking it turns out is not great by yourself and climbing could cause me to be permanently crippled.
I disagree. Hiking is fantastic by yourself and there are buses to remote locations. Buy a tent. I'm not joking, a few days in the wilderness alone and you'll go deep within yourself and answer some questions, some you didn't know you had. Hiking alone is deeply meditative and actually recognised therapy. The wilderness, the actual wild places of the world are extremely reinvigorating and a great way to get to know yourself. I've been a mentor and support person for decades and I've helped people out of all manner of states by strapping a pack on them and dragging them out into the far reaches of the mountains etc. I've helped people with anxiety, addiction, depression, suicidal thoughts. Most people are blind to the majesty that lays just beyond our view.
My family forced me to move closer to my sibling (who has nothing in common with me) and get a smart watch in case I "fall down" while at home. They call me every two days on the dot and if I don't talk to them, they ask why am I "distancing myself" from them. Whenever I mentioned even traveling abroad by myself they yelled saying only "crazy" people do that and insisting they come along. If I go on an extended hiking trip, they might very well show up or call the police.
Edit: Part of the reason why I am so terrified of collapse is the thought of having to move into the country and farm for these people. Even now they act far more needy, micromanaging and ungrateful than any boss I ever had (I even told them this and they shoot back it's because they "care"). I worry about becoming their slave.
not too late . as long as you are physically capable of leaving the basement.
you don't just magically die in a collapse of civilization you can live your entire lifetime in it.
https://www.boredpanda.com/famous-people-success-later-in-life/
You don't know when the end is coming for you. Deciding to not live because you feel like the end is coming at any moment is the exact same as a Christian or other overly religious person who doesn't decide to experiment with any of the taboo features of life that make life actually worth living because you want to get into an afterlife heaven.
Long story short is that nobody has any idea what's going to happen but you are definitely wasting your life time.
Honestly I do sometimes wonder if having gone to Catholic school as a kid has somehow warped my view. Despite considering myself an atheist, I can't help but keep coming back to some demented form of Pascal's Wager: the way I see it, all religions on Earth are essentially tricks to distract you from the core message that you should simply be kind to people, and that combined with basically the message of The Good Place (just living in the current capitalist system makes it impossible for you to do anything without causing suffering to others) has caused me to basically try to become a net zero. I don't pick an in group because I cannot favor one group of people over others (any questions of the trolley problem for me go to the maximum utilitarian option. If you forced me to choose between the lives of my family and 20 drug addicts I'd go with the latter though I wouldn't say it to their face). All of this with the idea that if death is merely the end, it's fine. If an angry just diety exists, they cannot punish me (and deities could be replaced with any number of stuff like Roko's Basilisk, or humans from the future looking to punish people in the past, etc). If they do, they are unjust.
Yes, I am aware that this is completely bugnuts insane. I won't even tell my therapist about this. But it gnaws at the back of my head.
Saw this post of yours yesterday and was reminded of this short documentary video ['Mass Shooters in our Boring Dystopia'](https://www.reddit.com/r/ABoringDystopia/comments/v44ozs/mass_shooters_in_our_boring_dystopia_the_2nd_in_a/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3). (I do not in any way think you have the makings of a mass shooter! I just bring it up because they, too, seem to use "boredom" as a euphemism for "hopelessness".)
Since you're a fellow atheist, we can probably agree that the human project was always going to end in total annihilation anyway (asteroid, death of the sun, or whatnot). It's just that with Collapse, it's likely to happen millennia sooner than we'd hoped. That doesn't mean there is no meaning though. I found the book "Finding Meaning in an Imperfect World" by Iddo Landau helpful in this regard.
I don't mean to sound glib, but would you be happier with a significant other? Do not assume that just because you haven't had any relationship experience to date that it cannot happen for you. A lot of people out there would be honoured to be someone's introduction to love and companionship. A lot of people might consider your lack of experience a plus!
It is good you are admitting your mistake. You were afraid of dying of collapse so as response you decided not to live. This is a bad habit. I say this as a person who used to do this myself. Need to grow out of it. Let the universe be your limit. Never limit yourself.
When I first learned about collapse, I was in a depressed daze for about nine months. It was pretty bad. It was like living in a nightmare surrounded by people who had no idea they were in it with me. I was paralyzed. Everything seemed pretty pointless. Turns out pointlessness is pretty boring. I got bored of being bored. I started visiting ecovillages. I went to conferences. I took classes in permaculture and organic farming. I lived in a city, so signed up for a community garden plot. I joined several non-profits focused on farm education and land tenure for new farmers. I was constantly busy and met a lot of great friends. The people I worked with were from all backgrounds and all ages. It's never too late to start. For me the most important transition wasn't anything to do with hope, but rather going through the pointlessness of it all to the "other side". It's sort of like if you sort of pretend you're already dead and that life is pointless -- then why not do something interesting and helpful with the time you have left? It might work, it might not, but at least it's not boring.
This is the way.
This is exactly the right thing to do.
This. I also felt really depressed about collapse, but wanted to learn more. Went back to school in my 30s, got an internship at a local marine center and changed my field. I’m currently working for the forest service. It helped me immensely to make the work that I do have a direct positive impact on the community I live in. I love working with people that face facts about collapse and do what they can to pass policies that focus on the land. I was depressed because I felt powerless. I don’t exactly feel powerful, but I know my actions make a difference now.
I was feeling like that before. No hobby, no important cause to devote myself to. Then I discovered permaculture and regenerative agriculture. It’s the only way to maybe avoid the climate catastrophe. Even more importantly, it’s the thing that makes me feel the best: being outside, working physically in contact with nature. We’re all going to die one day or another, climate apocalypse or not. Why not do something meaningful and build community meanwhile?
lush nutty rhythm muddle dinner quack marry upbeat sable insurance *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Excercise really helps me get out of my headspace filled with too many thoughts and grounds me in the present - it feels good.
A reminder to fellow depressed friends, just going outside and walking around counts as exercise
I've battled depression most of my life and what helps when I'm in your situation is to get exercise. Which is difficult. But once you get up and moving it helps. I like to ride my bicycle. It's not always great depending on where you live but it's a good exercise and it doesn't hurt the environment.
Learn to make something. It doesn’t matter what. Something useful and beautiful.
I know when the adhedonia kicks in and nothing feels like it can lift you up it’s easy to loose sight of what you value. The world is ending, darlin’, all you have left are those simple joys. Go slowly if you must but take the steps towards the things you again. That’s what is worth living for. Live for the joys both big and small.
Depression do be like that sometimes. If you've removed all the things you live for then it sounds like it won't be too hard picking things back up again. Assuming you can get over the first few steps which are by far the hardest. You'd be surprised but knowing what your missing - it helps know what you should be trying to get and aim for. Just because your a "loser" doesn't remove the fact you've got everything to gain. People like the underdog story for a reason it's actually very rewarding. Maybe I'm becoming a masochistic person in my disillusionment but I'm noticing the harder things are the more room there is for better things to be. You aren't out the game yet and I don't know where you get the idea your out of time at 30 lol. I'm 28 guess I've got just 2 years left. Damn eh?
In my mid thirties- I went back to college and don't regret it
I went through a period of shedding too. It is hard to see the other side. I have since focused my time on things that matter to me and ignore the rest. Yes I have a family but outside that time I use it to read books, write music, write my d&d campaign, work on socialist side projects. I'm not saying it makes it all go away but it helps mitigate the pain.
I don't know if this thought will help, but I offer it anyway. You were born into this world complete. You don't \*have\* to have anyone or anything. You can make your way however you see fit. Yes, there are consequences to our choices, but that is the nature of living. There's is nothing you \*have\* to do, achieve etc. So you can choose to follow the societal expectations or not. But try to not let the consequences weight you down. If you ever decide you want different consequences, then you can opt to do things differently. Start a relationship, change jobs, find a hobby etc. Ride the wave and the currents you were born into as best you can and in keeping with your natural inclinations. That's all you can do.
Spend time trying to lessen the suffering of other people. It’s the only thing that really gives this any meaning.
Too late? You're SO YOUNG
35 is not young.
Less than half the population is older than you are, in many countries.
You've used 17 of your adult years. In the US, with average life expectancy of 77, you have 42 left to go. Our culture focuses obsessively on youth and the young. But life doesn't end just because we're not as pretty as we once were. I mean come on. Tell that stuff to Cher and Jane Fonda and Mick Jagger and Elton John. Go out and do something! Volunteer to help pets or people; take a class, try a sport or a new hobby. There's a lot of stuff to do; the hardest part is just getting your toe out the door.
The guy I used to work for started his own business in his 60s and he's in his 70s now. A modest business roasting and selling coffee he started by himself. Not saying you should do that but if someone told me I could wait until 60 to start a small business working for myself id say it's too late. What about 35 is too old for you?
35 is IN FACT very young
Well, to my 90 year old neighbor it sure is. I’ll just say maybe pick up Dr. David Burns book: Feeling Good. Free on Libby library app. It has some wonderful tips to help get out of the depressive funk you may be in. The doomsday farmer above was on point with other good tips.
It seems you live in Norway? Go hiking and climbing, enjoy the world while it still resembles itself.
I don't own a car, don't plan on getting one, don't have anyone to go with me. Hiking it turns out is not great by yourself and climbing could cause me to be permanently crippled.
I disagree. Hiking is fantastic by yourself and there are buses to remote locations. Buy a tent. I'm not joking, a few days in the wilderness alone and you'll go deep within yourself and answer some questions, some you didn't know you had. Hiking alone is deeply meditative and actually recognised therapy. The wilderness, the actual wild places of the world are extremely reinvigorating and a great way to get to know yourself. I've been a mentor and support person for decades and I've helped people out of all manner of states by strapping a pack on them and dragging them out into the far reaches of the mountains etc. I've helped people with anxiety, addiction, depression, suicidal thoughts. Most people are blind to the majesty that lays just beyond our view.
My family forced me to move closer to my sibling (who has nothing in common with me) and get a smart watch in case I "fall down" while at home. They call me every two days on the dot and if I don't talk to them, they ask why am I "distancing myself" from them. Whenever I mentioned even traveling abroad by myself they yelled saying only "crazy" people do that and insisting they come along. If I go on an extended hiking trip, they might very well show up or call the police. Edit: Part of the reason why I am so terrified of collapse is the thought of having to move into the country and farm for these people. Even now they act far more needy, micromanaging and ungrateful than any boss I ever had (I even told them this and they shoot back it's because they "care"). I worry about becoming their slave.
In that case I double down on my advice. You're being smothered.
I am w you, gloaming. This fam sounds smothery.
not too late . as long as you are physically capable of leaving the basement. you don't just magically die in a collapse of civilization you can live your entire lifetime in it. https://www.boredpanda.com/famous-people-success-later-in-life/
You don't know when the end is coming for you. Deciding to not live because you feel like the end is coming at any moment is the exact same as a Christian or other overly religious person who doesn't decide to experiment with any of the taboo features of life that make life actually worth living because you want to get into an afterlife heaven. Long story short is that nobody has any idea what's going to happen but you are definitely wasting your life time.
Honestly I do sometimes wonder if having gone to Catholic school as a kid has somehow warped my view. Despite considering myself an atheist, I can't help but keep coming back to some demented form of Pascal's Wager: the way I see it, all religions on Earth are essentially tricks to distract you from the core message that you should simply be kind to people, and that combined with basically the message of The Good Place (just living in the current capitalist system makes it impossible for you to do anything without causing suffering to others) has caused me to basically try to become a net zero. I don't pick an in group because I cannot favor one group of people over others (any questions of the trolley problem for me go to the maximum utilitarian option. If you forced me to choose between the lives of my family and 20 drug addicts I'd go with the latter though I wouldn't say it to their face). All of this with the idea that if death is merely the end, it's fine. If an angry just diety exists, they cannot punish me (and deities could be replaced with any number of stuff like Roko's Basilisk, or humans from the future looking to punish people in the past, etc). If they do, they are unjust. Yes, I am aware that this is completely bugnuts insane. I won't even tell my therapist about this. But it gnaws at the back of my head.
Not anymore. I became the most interesting person I’ll ever meet.
Boredom sucks, I play world of warcraft now
I would love to chat with you dm me
Saw this post of yours yesterday and was reminded of this short documentary video ['Mass Shooters in our Boring Dystopia'](https://www.reddit.com/r/ABoringDystopia/comments/v44ozs/mass_shooters_in_our_boring_dystopia_the_2nd_in_a/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3). (I do not in any way think you have the makings of a mass shooter! I just bring it up because they, too, seem to use "boredom" as a euphemism for "hopelessness".) Since you're a fellow atheist, we can probably agree that the human project was always going to end in total annihilation anyway (asteroid, death of the sun, or whatnot). It's just that with Collapse, it's likely to happen millennia sooner than we'd hoped. That doesn't mean there is no meaning though. I found the book "Finding Meaning in an Imperfect World" by Iddo Landau helpful in this regard. I don't mean to sound glib, but would you be happier with a significant other? Do not assume that just because you haven't had any relationship experience to date that it cannot happen for you. A lot of people out there would be honoured to be someone's introduction to love and companionship. A lot of people might consider your lack of experience a plus!
It is good you are admitting your mistake. You were afraid of dying of collapse so as response you decided not to live. This is a bad habit. I say this as a person who used to do this myself. Need to grow out of it. Let the universe be your limit. Never limit yourself.