Lafalum84

You sound like someone who is afraid of success, and rationalizing that life will be ok if you don't "succeed." You're talking yourself out of even trying because you're afraid to fail.

Most people who say they don't care about money are motivated by something else - altruism, artistic endeavors, etc. I don't see any positive motivation at all in your posting.

I agree with Emeraldkitty - you sound like you may be suffering from depression. It's worth getting checked.

You can hang out with my kids, but frankly they'd probably find you boring.

(cross-posted with wkbsoft)

alamode

ughhhh
your clothing comments particularly annoy me.
i mean, most people see fashion as a frivolous stupid thing...most people follow trends for the sake of following trends, wear brand names to be "cooler," etc.
but you're completely missing the significance of fashion. why don't we all just wear rags and such? fashion provides a creative outlet that can be incoporated in our everyday lives. your interests, personality, attitude, and mood can be expressed through clothing. The other day I wore a black/white minidress and electric blue tights, which certainly gives off a much different vibe than the jeans and sweatshirt I'm wearing today.

Although it's not usually the case with the clothes you see on the street, go to a couture fashion show and its like going to an art exhibit--in fact, fashion is synchronized with the art of the time. The pieces that these designers come up with are literally artworks centered around the movement and figure of the human body.

Additionally, fashion trends reflect our history and social ideas. As just one example, think about corsests. The restricting nature of the corset throughout history directly parallels the restrictions placed on women throughout history. As these restrictions increased, the usage of corsets and the damage they inflicted on women's bodies also increased. The correlation is valid all the way to the 1920s--a decade during which the corset largely vanished because of the growth of the women's rights movement, leading to the popularity of looser, "flapper-style" dresses and such. This theory can also be paralleled to the rise and fall of the popularity of footbinding in China.

In the words of Gabrielle Coco Chanel, "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."

I find the relationship between fashion, social ideas/restrictions, and history/political affairs, fascinating. I've done a bit of research of various aspects of this topic and have written a few papers as well.
I know this is basically a rant to everyone who dismisses fashion as vain, frivolous, and inconsequential, but I would greatly appreciate it if you did not make generalized and stereotypical statements--on any subject--especially without having any idea what you are talking about.

enderkin

it's not really a short time, bro. it's the only time that you have.

emeraldkity4

It might just be you aren't comfortable enough with yourself to find what you really are interested in.

I am probably twice as old as you and when I was your age, I didn't have enough confidence to enjoy what I was interested in either.
But now, I do & it gives me a great deal of pleasure.
As does fashion BTW.
It's fun, and it is OK to have fun.
I also think we need a higher purpose and even if we aren't here for long, we need to make a small difference.

very inspirational

ScottZ1980

Respectfully, I wouldn't let my children "hang" with you but I am confident that they would more than likely make that choice for themselves. We might not agree, but the majority of people prefer surrounding themselves with people who will compliment them either intellectually, fashionably, or socially, among others.

Then again I'm probably just talking craziness because according to the OP as a CEO I'm too loaded up on crack and heroine to make any coherent argument.

If you're just wanting a yes or no answer to your question, then the majority here who have posted have given you that answer. However, I'm hoping that you are wanting more out of life than just being complacent where you currently are so my advice is to seek a counselor.

teriwtt

My heart sank when I read your description of yourself because no where in it did I feel you expressed any passion about anything; but please correct me if I'm wrong.

What brings you joy in life?

pmrlcomm

wbksoft=prozac

wbksoft

I am not sure, but when I was in high school I was known amongst my peers for my academic achievements, and knowing that so many people envied/hated/admired, respected/disrespected, overestimated/underestimated me, felt good. I believe that if you are able to stir so many different passions on so many different people, simply by being yourself, it probably means there is something interesting and unusual about you. Those days are gone, though.

emeraldkity4

I am not sure, but when I was in high school I was known amongst my peers for my academic achievements, and knowing that so many people envied/hated/admired, respected/disrespected, overestimated/underestimated me, felt good. I believe that if you are able to stir so many different passions on so many different people, simply by being yourself, it probably means there is something interesting and unusual about you. Those days are gone, though.

Ok in high school you felt you were interesting because you evoked envy etc. or at least you perceived it that way.
So it sounds like your motivation was external, that is, you did things because of what response it got from others.
Those days are gone as you said.
What are you interested in- regardless of what accolades or awards you would or wouldnt recieve?
What would you do, if you knew you could not fail?

teriwtt

wbksoft - if you can't find one thing to be passionate about (or to find joy in), then you are headed down a very dark street of life. It doesn't mean you have to be passionate about the same things for the rest of your life, as your interests will change. Having a passion(s) doesn't necessarily require a certain standard of living, but it is a major motivation for facing each day, knowing you have something that is meaningful to you, and something to look forward to or works towards.

Mr Payne

I wouldn't want to hang around you. You're a loser (self admitted).

Jolynne Smyth

"...since I am going to be here for such a short time, why should I bother trying to pursue some random, arbitrary life goal?"

That's the question of the ages.

It doesn't matter though--get involved, pursue a passion (what would YOU like to do?) and you'll be happier.

As is now, you sound like you are rebelling (subtly) against societal expectations of achievement, money accumulation and fashion. But in the end--who cares if society values those things and does it do YOU a service to rebel against them?

TimeCruncher

To the OP:

It’s interesting to me that those responding here assume you’re young. After all, you haven’t mentioned your age in this thread, or in the other thread you started yesterday (located in College Life, and entitled, "College professor told me to transfer to a Community College!!"). Details you have revealed about yourself in this thread and in your other thread suggest--among other things--that you are old. Quite old. I would place you in your late forties. In fact, I think you turned forty-eight very early last month. Am I correct? If so, then I have just one thing to say to you: Prestige Tech. (You’ll have to look it up.)

Jolynne Smyth

OP:

Try this:
Amazon.com: Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy: David D. Burns: Books

chocoholic

I doubt that OP is in his late forties. More likely in his twenties, just a few years out of college. He did say he would retire in 40 years.

Anyhow OP, not caring is NOT good for the soul. For you to feel good about yourself, you need to care about things. Anything. Perform better at work, have some goals, be interested in earning your salary. You will probably be praised, and you will see how good that feels. Perhaps you have never been recognized for the good things you did, and that has caused you to become this way.

Do you have a hobby? Any interests? Do some volunteer work. That's good for the soul. Maybe you will realize how you are letting life and opportunities go by when you meet people who have so little. Join a club, a church, a gym. Go running everyday, that in itself is uplifting and energizing.

You have fallen into a trap of apathy, and you need to pull yourself out.