#lost #motivation #findingpurpose #jobsearch #selfdiscovery
Hey there! It sounds like you’re going through a tough time, and I totally get it. You’ve got a degree in engineering and a solid four years of experience in construction, yet finding a fulfilling job feels like an uphill battle right now. 🏗️
Let’s break down some of the pain points you’re facing:
- Loss of Purpose: You’ve been a high achiever, so it’s understandable to feel lost when things don’t go as planned. The feeling of being stuck and dependent on family can really wear you down.
- Constant Rejection: Receiving rejection emails can be demoralizing. Every “no” can chip away at your motivation, making you wonder if it’s worth it to keep trying.
- Isolation: Living in an area where making friends feels impossible adds an extra layer of loneliness. Without a support system, it’s easy to feel like you’re on an island.
While you’re already doing some great things like yoga, meditation, and reading, it’s frustrating when you feel like you’re not getting anywhere. 🌱
Here are a few thoughts on what you could consider next:
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Explore New Fields: Since you enjoy being creative, maybe look into roles that blend engineering with creativity – think design consulting, project management for creative projects, or even tech roles that require engineering skills but are in innovative fields.
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Networking: Even if your city is sparsely populated, consider joining online communities or forums where you can connect with others in your field. Networking can lead to opportunities that work remotely or advice from others who’ve been in your shoes.
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Set Small Goals: Sometimes, big changes can feel overwhelming. Try to set small, manageable goals each day to build a sense of achievement. This could be reaching out to one new contact or applying to just one job.
- Creative Projects: While they might currently just feel like hobbies, consider how you could monetize your skills in design or video creation. Platforms like YouTube or freelancing websites can open doors to income and help you leverage your creativity.
I know how challenging it can be when it feels like everything you try doesn’t yield results. But remember, it’s often in these tough moments that we find our strengths. 💪
So, my question to you: What have you been passionate about in the past? Let’s start a conversation! Share your experiences or any tips that have helped you through tough times. You’re not alone in this journey! 🌟
You really need to go to a therapist my friend. Really. There’s no shame in it and the right therapist will really help you work through this. You’re are a good person and you deserve to have purpose in your life.
I feel the same way and I’m a very similar situation. I didn’t know the solution, but you are not alone my friend.
Travel has helped me personally to overcome this state of mind by brining new experiences, new learning, new exchange of ideas. Best $$$ you could ever spent is to travel to historically and culturally rich places.
There’s no shame in taking a job outside your field. Even a minimum wage job or gig work or something. Basically something that allows you to do whatever hobby you enjoy.
You could use your engineering degree for hobbies only, and your work is just to fund your time. And who knows, maybe doing this you have an epiphany, you invent something that the world is missing, patent it, and turn it into a business.
Not everyone is passionate about their job, and not every job is fulfilling. However, as long as your income is allowing you to have hobbies that you are passionate about and are fulfilling, then I’d say you’re winning.
Best of luck! You will get through this
Focus that willpower and determination on getting better. Talk to a therapist, talk to your family. You’d be surprised how many therapists are available for people in low income, no insurance situations. A therapist can give you the tools to help yourself, a lot of the time the first sessions are free and can be very helpful. I wish you the best
My brother, you weren’t designed to live a comfortable life, in a climate controlled house, where your greatest risks are social and your greatest achievements are intellectual. That’s all good, but some people need more.
I figured out pretty early on I did. I snowboarded, skateboarded, jumped bikes. Eventually I got too old the two latter, though I still snowboard. I took up tough hunting trips, triathlon, long distance swimming, marathons. Because for some reason, seeing how far I can go, or how much suffering I can tolerate, gives me something I need.
I’m not saying you need to do any of that, just push yourself. You can find great satisfaction in finishing a 5K in the moment, even with the rest of your life being pretty milk toast.
If you live in a sparsely populated city, maybe that could be a reason why you’re not finding a high paying, quality job in your field. Is moving an option? It can be stressful in itself, but sometimes it can also serve as a healthy distraction. And it sounds like getting a fresh start somewhere else could help get the chin up.
Best of luck buddy. It’ll get better.
My tip is this: don’t use your job as a source of joy and fulfillment. It is there for you to earn money. Use that money on things that bring you joy and fulfillment.
As for the source of joy and fulfillment, you need to find that for yourself. Maybe it’s a new hobby, maybe it’s developing your current hobby further, maybe it’s starting a family, adopting a dog, religion, or volunteering. You have to start looking and trying things.
I’m 33 with an engineering degree and now I just work in a warehouse driving an order picker. I used to think I cared about my career but eventually realized that I just hate working. I picked hobbies and focused on those and eventually made friends through those hobbies. Still single tho lmao
Read the drama of the gifted child … it will help you a lot.
Do the videos anyway. You like them. That has value even if you don’t earn.
Join a military. The toughness is what a man needs in hard times. You could also do your job in military
Undiagnosed ADHD. I’m the same.
Join the military.
You probably need to find a path to relationships: friends, SO, or mentoring and volunteering. If you can’t find any of these you’ll need to step outside your comfort zone. If that still doesn’t work, then move and repeat this list.
Try motorcycling. Ride to work, work to ride.
Travel.
I know it may seem scary or boring to travel alone but there are so many people doing it as well. A cruise is even better. People LOVE to interact with others on cruises.
Take a trip to Cusco, Peru. It’s insanely beautiful and friendly. You will meet People from all around the world.
I resonate with this
I’m about 5 years in my career, just paid off all my student loans, 6 figure job. From the outside looking in and being objective about it, my life is not actually that bad compared to others
But I don’t feel fulfilled with life. Hobbies that I used to have just don’t give me the same joy or spark anymore. And I’m trying to go out and find new hobbies and make new friends
I for sure feel like I’m depressed but not suicidal haha. The best way I’ve been able to describe it is “It’s not like I want to die, but I’m not sure I really have a reason to live”. Everyday just feels like a chore like I’m going through the motions
But I’m not giving up. I’m still trying and looking for that “spark”
sounds like ✨depression✨
I had a friend in a similar situation. He ended up moving to the mountains and hiking any chance he got, met tons of like-minded people and has completely fell in love with it.
Felt very similar nearly a decade ago, although I was never a high achiever.
Took a step away from engineering, thinking it would be just a brief break. 10 years later I have no interest in ever going back to the toxicity of engineering jobs. Sure I miss being able to see what I work on. To see things taking shape. But damnit I don’t miss the numbness and feeling like nothing I did mattered.
Still wish I could have been a farmer. Or a plumber or electrician.
Try exploring religion, specifically Islam. Reading the Quran may help you find your true purpose in life. In comparison, everything else becomes less significant.