Comment by Rhys Hughes on April 24, 2012 at 2:10am

man i can totally relate to this. you know yourself better than anyone so only you can make the major decisions in your life. sometimes we get weighed down with overwhelming stress and anxiety. this is generally caused by having large aspirations (which isn't bad) or a false sense of entitlement or forced expectations (which is bad) of which arent being fulfilled. we constantly think about dealing with these goals because we seek a sense of fulfillment, and our brain is searching for information that can help us (this is why we try quick random fixes that generally dont work). when we see our goals and aspirations as not being accessible (because we feel bad about doing them) or they're too much to accomplish, they build up as stress in our minds and we think more pessimistically. when we experience this level of negative thoughts for a long period of time, we have continuous negative emotions and lack the reward-stimulant serotonin. this is because we are continuously in a "negative thought cycle" and havent experienced any sense of accomplishment, which can cause depression and anger.

the world can be messed up but you chose how you view it. dont let overwhelming stresses (from aspirations or changes) get the better of you. instead break them down into smaller more acouplishalbe goals, then you can think about solving each one in the present (taking our mind off worrying about the future or feeling angry about the past). then each time you acoumplish a small personal goal you will be a step closer to fulfilling the major goal. each time you do this you can reward yourself and feel good in knowing your going somewhere and acoumplishing something you care about. look back from time to time and feel good about what you have acheived, then glance into the future to see what you need to acheive, now focus on the present and stay there until you feel you have accomplished something and can reward yourself. then repeat.

dont let other people tell you what you need to do, but dont resent what they're telling you (feel happy they care enough to tell you). take their information in and make up your own mind, you dont have to agree with them. communication with people is important, talk to the people you are having difficulties with or even show them what you wrote above^.

chin up bro, being angry about the past wont change the future. do what you want to do in the present and it will lead to accomplishments in the future. reward yourself for these accomplishments and feel good about yourself and what youve personally acheived. charity work is an excellent way to do this. good luck dude!

Comment by T'mara Skywalker on April 27, 2012 at 9:00am

I have been feeling the same...well similar emotions, I feel like I am stuck at a crossroads, I'm starting to really dislike my job, I dislike having to serve customers for a corporation.... I have been feeling very stressed and pressed for time.... I feel I should know more than I currently know...yet I feel flawed. I want to attend university but I fear I wont have the money or time to do so. I have been doing loads of distant running as a means to deal with stress, tried meditation today....just couldn't get myself comfy, I have also been eating well. I like what Rhys Hughes wrote, very inspiring, he puts a lot into perspective, I'm glad I stumbled upon this post. May the force be with you March E.

Comment by Lore on April 29, 2012 at 1:41am

Hey March, I just want to let you know that you are not alone. I have been dealing with a lot of anger for about a decade now and I feel it has only gotten worse the more I learn about what is going on in the world. I also feel like I'm the only one who wants to try to fix things. I do think it is good that you are thinking about volunteer work. It can really help give meaning to your life.

Peace out man.

Comment by Adam Kubišta on May 1, 2012 at 8:07pm

Hi, i just thougt starting some project might help you out. Like doing youtube videos, writing a story and release a book, social activity - like banners and stuff, saving environment, talking to people about it

Comment by SparTom007 - Tom on May 3, 2012 at 1:24am

"I've been angry at the world and how messed up it is, at society and it's rules, people, my parents"

I still feel that way a hell of a lot of time :\ It sucks dude and my way of dealing with it is just to hide it away like I have hidden memories in my mind somewhere I've managed to get rid of. I just hope I never have to deal with them or by the time I do, I'm ready xD

As for volunteering mate, make sure it's something you completely agree with and are passionate about or you won't be bothered to do it and it won't get your mind off your issues. I tried with all kinds of things and it didn't work, I worked there just as hard as any other person but the whole time I was just thinking about everything I would be thinking about while at home. So I started making my own thing up. I'm focusing all my energy into my site and doing my own charity work for each charity instead of committing to a certain one. Atm, I'm doing shit for Save The Children in my sharecraft campaign (which I'm not ready to share with the ipower members yet because I respect you all so much and hold your comments higher than most xD) and when that's over I'll be shifting my focus to Charity:Water and supporting the Occupy Movement. I made it my own because I don't want to be identified with any organisation officially.

Anyway yeah, make sure it's something you truly care about and it will be great!

You are not alone March, you're just a bit fucking messed up right now and there's nothing wrong with that. Anyone who thinks that it's wrong to be messed up is messed up. Depression and anger etc, it's all just biochemical reactions and shit :P Take some drugs* and you'll be alright :D

*don't take drugs xD

Comment by Nick Stephenson on May 15, 2012 at 8:57am

The first thing that jumps out in my mind about your entry is this guilt for following your heart and doing the things you love.  There are many social structures and expectations that are dumped on all of us.  NEVER, and I say again, NEVER feel guilty for expressing yourself and following your creative urges.  Creativity is humanities greatest aspect in my opinion.  It doesn't matter if you make money with it, or even share it with anyone.  It is yours, and never let anyone make you feel guilty for it, or try and take it from you.  I love to see what other people create, and I strive every day to express myself.  It gives me joy, and centers me.  

As far as being angry, it isn't necessarily a bad thing.  We should be angry about the state of the world.  Unfortunately we are paying for the sins of our fathers, and have inherited a World rife with lies, hatred, materialism, superstition and whole lot of other bullshit due to short shortsightedness, selfishness and greed.  We should be angry that the United States Government just gave trillions of our tax payer money to bail out corrupt financial institutions that are just turning around and squandering our investment again.  We should be angry that the media is a constant source of fear mongering which pits group against group, nation against nation, and theology against theology.  We should be angry that the gap between the wealthy and the common man is widening exponentially and we're told that this is the best system that we can come up with.  We are surrounded by madness, and these megalomaniacs that make decisions and pass laws that effect everyone are trying to convince us that they have the best interest of the common man in mind, when in fact they are lining their pockets and robbing us of freedoms.  So your anger is not your struggle alone.  The question is, how do we channel this anger?  Do we lash out and take to the streets?  Do we show up in droves to vote, and try and have our voices heard?  How can we change this world for the better?  I would say by evolving ideas, and better understanding each other.  Ideas are incredibly powerful and can lead individuals to blowing themselves up to receive and eternity of ravaging 72 virgins, to shooting man into space and exploring the cosmos.  Obviously some are better than others.  First and foremost I believe we need to start accepting one another as individuals instead of trying to get everyone to think the same.  If you have someone trying to change you, or tell you how to better yourself, try and hear their words, but you alone must decide what is best for you.  Do not let them bring you down, or effect your mood because in the end it only hurts you and not them.

Feeling useless is something I can relate to.  For years I struggled with my evangelical christian upbringing and I spent most of my twenties struggling with guilt and praying to this straw-man of a God that I had been assured exists.  It is only in the last year I was able to finally shred the dogmatic weight of my upbringing and I began to empower myself.  After all, this is what this website is all about.  I POWER says it all.  You have the power to change yourself.  You have the power to determine what you want to be.  No higher power is waiting on a cloud ready to reign down blessings.  You must create your own life.  Take an active role in changing if you want change.  Talk is cheap.  Action is far more effective.  Taking action is very hard to do, especially when you dig a hole as deep as some of us do.  I don't know where you are at in your life, but know that no matter how deep the hole, you have the power to climb out.  It won't come all at once, and it takes a whole lot of hard work, however it can be done.  Confucius say: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step."  I would say that you are on the right track by removing the negative people in your life, but the next step is taking positive action.  It sounds like you all ready on your way.  :-)  Good luck!

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