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submitted 20 hours ago* (last edited 20 hours ago) by dingus@lemmy.world to c/mentalhealth@lemmy.world

I'm in my early 30s, so not necessarily "mid-life", but I think what I have been experiencing can be described this way. I went through a lot this past year, and it has both left some large scars as well as healed some other aspects and caused new ways of thinking in others. I've tried new things and enjoyed the things that I've tried.

But I feel like I need something "more", but I have no idea what that is. I keep getting caught on the horrifying realization of life being fleeting and I want to do something to make it more whole. But I can't outrun death so I don't know that anything is left to be done. But I feel like I need something to fill that space. I may in fact be chasing something that doesn't exist idk.

I guess I just feel a bit lost and would appreciate some direction.

More about me that may or may not influence your advice: I've always been a loner and the sort of "terminally online" type. I don't experience sexual attraction, so it sort of puts most options of relationships out the window. Asexual "dating" is not as prevalent or simple as you'd think. My career is very solid and I'm paid very well, so I'm not interested in switching careers. My career was a huge source of my trauma this past year, but I have made a lot of progress since and it's really not something I can easily change. I have discovered new and healthier forms of self-expression and have done new things. I own where I live and would not be able to sell it for as much as I paid for it either, which is another reason I'd be against moving. I am physically close-ish to family and visit every couple of weeks.

Thanks all for listening.

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[-] RBWells@lemmy.world 1 points 4 hours ago

I was distracted and so busy when I was your age, no time to slow down. Kids, pets, so much work at my job, never time to think!

Do you exercise? That mental feeling of dissatisfaction can be complicated by physical idleness - I do have to exhaust my body to calm my mind.

Do you have people IRL? Even if you are introverted and asexual you still need a baseline level of community, of people to talk with and be with.

You don't need to achieve anything to be a whole person. I do think your instinct is correct that it's something that doesn't exist because there are so many successful unhappy people, you are outwardly successful already. So maybe you are missing physical activity or social activity.

this post was submitted on 09 Aug 2026
45 points (100.0% liked)

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