Don't take this as a criticism, but I think that's a symptom of low self esteem, along with the other existential questions. And since you're questioning if you have self esteem or not, then you probably don't have...
And vanishing interest in things you usually had interest in indicates 1 of 2 things: depression, or a current major problem in your life that you can't overcome, and so it's natural to lose interest for other things, while that's going on.



I think you need to find something useful to do (studying, working, whatever), so you won't feel you're useless. Do you live alone or with your parents? Either way you have to do something for your future!

But like you said you won't find answers here, if you're having a bad time like you seem to be having, you should see a psychologist. I'm guessing these problems and low self-esteem didn't just pop up, there's something behind that, and a psychologist can help you in the symptoms by going to the cause.

I've had the thoughts you're describing. I don't think you have to have incredibly original opinions on everything to be an individual. To be an individual you have to be an expert in something. Having original opnions is sometimes a sign of intellectual effort, but some people like having unconventional opinions just for the sake of it. You don't really need that. Won't make you fell much better.
If you have solid-proof evidence for something, there is no place for confusion. The most difficult thing to understand is your capabilities. You need to test yourself very thouroughly, try new things all the time, under different circumstances. That's like doing an experiment. Without experiment, theory is useless. And all you have is a theory of who you are.
Also, many activities get more interesting the more you invest in them. So if you have time on your hands, try that.
Also, if you don't know why you should write novels...you gotta need to write them, I think There has to be a drive to do it. I understand that if you, say, write a couple of chapters, show it to someone and they say it's crap, you wanna give up. But if you haven't tried and don't really want to...

Well, it's gotten substantially worse since yesterday. I seem to be so upset and angry at myself that I'm experiencing physical symptoms now, like a slight nausea. Bah. Thoughts of suicide cross my mind occasionally, but I'm very certain that I'd never even attempt it. My thoughts have mainly strayed towards ways I could take advantage of this depression. Perhaps I can use it to fuel my writing; psychological horror has always been a genre I've loved and wanted to contribute to, but I find it difficult to get into the right mindset for it. Maybe this is it.

Edit: I dunno...that probably isn't healthy. Even if I am in the right mindset for that stuff, I can't work up the will to start doing it. I instead opt to just sit here listening to soul crushing music and feeling sorry for myself.

Why ?

Wow, you too? I blame the US government and their oscillator doomsday weapons.

Well that's sad to hear... hmmm...
Here's an idea, try listening to more happy music, go out there cease the day, try to make the day brighter for someone else, who knows it might even help make your day better as well.

You're stressing yourself, I did similiar things to fit in at work and my later years at school but it got to a point were I literally started losing hair because I was trying to change who I was.
Solution: Just say [censored] it and do what makes you you. There's nothing wrong with opposing someone elses views, you just need to know when the debate is going in circles and stop when it happens otherwise it just becomes a flame war because no one is backing down.

I've had similar problems with stress and anger, and the solution is in you.
You have to relax and try not to take things too seriously (another problem I had). The less you annoy yourself with petty things, the less stressed you are. Try to find inner peace by physically relaxing: go for a walk, read, spend time with your pet if you have one, watch a good movie, play your favorite game, eat healthily, and of course, drink tea.

do whatever you think is fun, or strive to be able to do it

I know how this is like. It still sometimes happens to me.

You're right, I just need to relax. Breathing slowly and deeply is helping, as well as keeping myself from thinking about depressing things. I'm pretty sure my main problem is that when I feel bad, I focus all of my energy into making myself feel worse, up to the point where my chest feels tight and I'm nauseous. But I really have no reason to be depressed about anything..There are people out there who have very real, genuine trauma and issues in their lives, and here I am sitting comfortably at home thinking I'm the most miserable person on the planet. Maybe I'm just doing this to myself to have an excuse not to do anything, to feel worthless so I can continue to live this life of a hermit. I really need to change that, because it isn't me. I'm better than this.

I am not sure how to respond to this, but I can try.

I have had similar troubles about identity in the past, not being sure of who I am. A couple of years ago I had an unstable period and as one could guess it was caused by lack of understanding of I was.

I'm going to skip right to the point: I found out that the only thing that mattered to me was that I chose to be someone. I chose to become a calm and largely unsocial person who devote a lot of time to games, fantasy and occasional writing of poems and stories.
What happened was that after I chose I became comfortable with the choice I made and even though many believe I am sad and lonely I do not regret my choice in the slightest.

It may not be off help to you, but it did help me.

*slaps you*
Stop it. You're wallowing ins self pity and it's kind of pathetic. (tough love)
I really think you should consider just getting out of the house and doing something. You've got lots of advice about considering hobbies... have you given that any thought?
You could even do something REALLY outrageous, and volunteer. You think your life is crappy? Go help someone who's life is crappier. Trust me, it'll help.

Be constructive.

Be destructive.

Be constructive through destruction.

There's no contradiction, unless you constantly change opinion about something. Meaning, one day you like pizza. The other day you don't. It's fine, as long as you don't "randomly" change back and forth. That's just you changing as a person.
*Note: Pizza is a bad example because it's food, and what we want to eat depends on a few things, thus you will not always be in the mood for pizza.*

@ op: I think the majority of those feelings are a result of living in a country that doesn't promote (or support, as some would argue) true Nationalism.

Just my 2 cents.

Maybe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlBiLNN1NhQwill cheer you up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yhuUCRm7k4&feature=related

Depression is pretty nasty and if you dont fully understand it, then seek professional advice, it has a tendency to continually reinforce itself, when you feel bad and try to feel better it leave you with no incentive to do things that want make you feel better, thus making you feel worse, and it keeps doing that, but understanding that is a first step in knowing what is making you feel that way, if its an environmental thing thats causing your depression then again seek professional advice.

Having been a sufferer of depression for way over 20 years and counting, for me understanding the nature of depression, helps me when im feeling miserable i know what causing it, but buzz words and arm chair advice from non professionals and people who have never really suffered from it doesnt help alot. Having people around you that understand helps alot, and self esteem is a way over used term, and ive known alot of people that have attempted suicide and all they wanted was someone to listen to them and understand.

But one thing i say to my friends who dont suffer from depression is their abnormal ones since a massive number of people across the world suffer from depression its become more the norm.

I don't claim to be a motivational speaker but should you chose to chose to ignore the advice presented thus far and persist in your anguish and self loathing (I still remember when you were a much better person).

Then perhaps an example is in order as to why you should pick your self up with self deliverance in mind in a way that I could not provide for myself. Don't do what I'm about to do and become another statistic who has chosen self termination. I'm sure there is some potential in your abilities but you must first get out of that borderline defeatist thinking or find yourself becoming less then what you were capable of. Take the initiative in your life rather then go down a path that you will later regret that can destroy whatever potential that there is in one's character. We got enough suicides and people with wasted life's as it is.

Anyone have J40K's number or contact info!?

Couldn't have been me. Anyway, I'm gonna have this closed; it's completely pointless.

Sorry to hijack your thread, Sub, but I'm pretty sure J40K is about to kill himself as he also announced it on Skype. Anyone know anything and call emergency services?

Jake if you're still here and reading this: please don't do anything stupid, I beg you.

Wait, what? Seriously, of all the things to bring into a topic about cheering someone up..Well, have fun with that, I guess. "Self termination" couldn't be farther from my mind, so no worries. If anybody wants to have a go at stopping him, do so in PM or something.