Print-friendly version

I don't want to be alive. I won't kill myself because it is selfish and I have two amazing adult children that would suffer if I did. I have no passion for life. Although I have attempted to find a hobby or something that would give my life some interest, I have not been successful. I work 40-60 hours a week and on my weekends I clean and do laundry. I don't like most people and friends are rare. I often wish that I could have a fatal accident or be the beneficiary of a drive by shooting.

No one that knows me would suspect me of feeling this way, because I put up a good front. Believe it or not I am always smiling and portray a "good mood." My life is pathetic. Is this something I just have to deal with or is there a way out?

I want to wrap my arms around you and give you a big hug for being so honest in your email to me. What you are doing is really brave. This is not something you just have to deal with and there is definitely a way out. Your lack of passion is because you are leading an inauthentic life. Your life is one of pretending to be something you are not. I want to encourage you to be more authentic - to be who you really are. By writing such an honest email to me you have already started to be authentic.

True, when you are out in the world doing your work or mixing with people, you need to put your best foot forward - you do need to be circumspect with whom you choose to share your innermost feelings. However there need to be people in your life with whom you can open up and share what you are feeling inside in a genuine manner. If you consider doing this you might quite naturally fear rejection - that is why I am going to recommend that initially you communicate in an authentic manner with a counselor or psychotherapist. By visiting a professional you can be assured of a safe environment in which you can discuss your feelings.

Please remember you are a wonderful special woman, even if you have these thoughts and feelings. If you share these thoughts and feelings with a counselor you will begin to feel a huge weight lift off your shoulders. In time you may find the courage to be authentic with your friends and other people in your life. When this happens your passion for life will return.

Further Help and Resources
You may find my book comforting. It's called Unfold Your Wings and Watch Life Take Off and describes how I went through similar feelings to the ones you have and, by learning to tap into and draw on my inner strength, went on to lead a happy, joyful life. You can do the same.

I also suggest you read the article by Craig Nathanson, How do You Discover and Live Your Passion? and to discover the spiritual element of your life, Freedom of the Spirit by Owen Waters offers many appropriate suggestions.

Further Questions...

Question categories... Coach Yourself to Success A. HEALING YOURSELF B. BEING SUCCESSFUL C. LOVING RELATIONSHIPS D. UNDERSTANDING PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS

HEALING YOURSELF... Letting go of anger and frustration Healing and helping yourself Finding your healing path Going beyond fear and anxiety Going beyond addictive behavior Understanding your sexual feelings and inclinations Coping with and learning from a major loss in your life Understanding psychic experiences

BEING SUCCESSFUL... Being true to yourself Achieving success Expressing yourself creatively Finding your life's purpose Learning to study well and present yourself skillfully Finding fulfillment through work Becoming master of your finances Becoming a successful life coach, counselor or healer

LOVING RELATIONSHIPS... Having successful relationships with parents and siblings Having successful relationships with friends Choosing the right dating partner and having a successful date Having a successful romantic relationship Succeeding at relationships with differing spiritual levels Creating a marriage full of love and understanding Problems with sex and infidelity within marriage Relationship with your divorced husband or wife Nurturing your children

UNDERSTANDING PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS... What is the purpose of life? What is the best way to determine one's core values? What is love and a soul mate? Understanding death