Why Nothing Really Excites Us Anymore
The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.
Remember when you were a kid? Everything was an adventure. A cardboard box could be a spaceship. A puddle was an ocean to explore.
But now? Meh.
I’ve been there too. Let’s talk about why this happens and what we can do about it.
Subtitle credit: W.M. Lewis
The Enthusiasm Drain
As children, our eyes were big and the world was small. Enthusiasm came easy.
Then we grew up. The world expanded. Complexity set in.
That sense of wonder shrank to a pinpoint.
We keep chasing things — accomplishments, possessions, experiences. But nothing fills that void.
It’s like running on a treadmill. No matter how fast you go, you end up in the same place.
Numbing Effect
Life throws curveballs. Loved ones die. Hearts break. Horrible things happen.
We realize more and more how fragile everything is.
To protect ourselves, we build walls. We become numb. Indifferent.
It’s not a conscious choice. It’s a survival mechanism.
Life hurt to touch, so we stopped holding on so tightly.
Okayness Paradox
This state isn’t quite apathy. It’s not quite depression. It’s something in between.
You’re functioning. You’re getting things done. But it all feels… automatic.
It’s like sitting on a beautiful beach, but feeling nothing but “okay”.
Things you used to love? They don’t spark joy anymore.
Achievements? They’re just short breaks from the pain of failure.
Numbers Don’t Lie
Research backs this up:
A 2021 Gallup poll found that only 50% of Americans felt “a lot” of enjoyment the previous day.
The World Happiness Report shows a decline in global happiness scores since 2015.
A study in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that life satisfaction peaks at age 23 and doesn’t recover until 69.
So we’re not alone in this struggle.
Philosophical Perspective
Ancient wisdom has grappled with this for centuries:
Stoics taught us to distinguish between what we can and can’t control.
Taoists advocated for “nonaction” and going with the flow.
Buddhists seek to transcend attachment to worldly concerns.
There’s merit in detachment. But we often build a fortress when we only need a shield.
The Danger Zone
But: apathy makes us not care about… not caring.
It’s a self-reinforcing cycle.
We stop doing things that bring us joy because we don’t feel joy… which makes us feel less joy.
See the problem?
Breaking the Cycle
So how do we get out of this rut?
Change your routine: Add new activities, hobbies, or challenges.
Shift your perspective: Find a new framework for looking at the world.
Connect with others: Meaningful relationships can reignite our spark.
Practice gratitude: Focus on the small joys you might be overlooking.
Seek professional help: Sometimes, we need expert guidance to find our way back.
Stop Caring: Yes, just stop caring, read this and you will know what I am talking about. Cosmic Thinking Will Kill Your Stress
Invincible Summer
“In the middle of winter I at last discovered that there was in me an invincible summer.”
Life moves in seasons. We can’t always be energized or excited.
But like the snow-covered soil that still has the potential for new life, you have the ability to foster growth and change.
You still have your internal world, your creativity, your ability to adapt and endure.
The Path Forward
If you weren’t always here, you likely won’t always be.
Even if this feeling persists, you’ll adapt. You’ll be okay.
Through your perspective and individual choices, you can provide yourself with comfort, meaning, and warmth.
Maybe all we have is this invincible summer inside ourselves. But maybe that’s all we’ll ever need.
A Personal Note
I’ve been where you are. That feeling of “meh” seemed endless.
But I found something:
Excitement isn’t always a lightning bolt. Sometimes it’s a slow-burning ember.
I started small. I tried new recipes. I took different routes on my daily walk.
Gradually, I felt sparks of curiosity again.
It wasn’t instant. But it was worth it.
Maybe it’s calling an old friend. Or trying a new hobby.
Start small and be patient with yourself.
Remember, you’re not broken. You’re not alone. You’re just in a different season of life.
And seasons always change.
Thanks for your time.
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