I think there's something wrong with me

Charlie_K said:
That's the only way I can see it, something has to be wrong with me.

Shooting is one of my favorite outdoor activities. Rarely does a day go by that I don't think about it to one extent or another. All throughout the week, Monday through Friday, I'd like to just take a break from work and obligations and do some target practice.

And then around comes the weekend, and when the opportunity to do just that is perfect I find myself not in the mood to actually do it, and unable to muster the interest to even leave the house. It's as if I have no life left in me because I spent everything during the work week, leaving nothing but a withered husk for the weekend.

I never used to be like that. Even just two years ago I would've been out shooting at any good opportunity. So obviously something's wrong with me, but I don't know what it is.
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It's depression.

It can manifest as apathy.

Therapy is probably the best option. But as men just don't do that. You need to be working towards something. So find a thing.

I just noticed it's a thread from 2020.

Anyway. The other trick is to shift focus from yourself to someone else. Go do a charity or something. Preferably in a field you are interested in. If it was Australia i would suggest things like the volunteer fire brigade or SES.

And that is because if it is just you. Then you don't really hold yourself accountable. And therefore don't commit to the thing.
 
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jackknife said:
Charlie, look at me, this is serious!

Things come and go, and we all change as we age. Even in your 30's, you are not quite the same person you were just 10 years ago. Our personalities, likes and dislikes, all change as we go through life and encounter different conditions that influence us.

When I was in my 30's, my knife nut syndrome was in full swing. I was collecting customs and had Randalls's, Jay Henricksons, and other high end stuff. By 40 I was burned out on them and sold all them off and the wife and I took one hell of a trip on the money. Use dot be really really into guns. Had more than I could ever use in a lifetime. Shot a couple times a week for the sheer joy of it. Guess what? I ended up selling off almost all the guns. Got rid of the range toys that I knew I'd never carry, and just kept a few small ones that can fit in a pocket. Haven't missed any of them.

Most my life I was an avid motorcyclist. Mostly BMW R series, with a K75 at the end. Then I reached a point where I didnt want to bother with them anymore. I came to value a nice comfortable car with a nice sound system and heater and air conditioner. It's soooo hard to drink a coffee while riding a bike!

By age 50 I was a much different person than I was in my 30's. In my 60's I changed more and so much of what was sooooo damm important to me just didn't mean squat anymore.

You may just be experiencing the first wave of real change and values in your life. Its perfectly okay to loose an interest in some long time passion, because you're gown a bit in another direction. What goes on around us is constantly influencing us, so just go with what does please you. Like I said, I used to be a rabid knife and gun nut. Now, as long as I have some small SAK in my pocket, and my .22 revolver to shoot now and then, I'm fine. I don't shoot anywhere near as much as I used to by a long shot.

It's okay, just relax for while, put the guns away, and see if it comes back in a few months. Don't rush it. It just may be temporary burn out.
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This. Just relax, don’t force it. It might come back, something else might show up.

And - if you are married - be patient with your wife.

I started smoking when I was 34, one of several mistakes ...
 
Even if you aren’t religious and I won’t make this religious reading the book of proverbs has something for everyone. Prov 12:25-27. Once again. Not pushing religion just the book of proverbs. It’s an excellent read.

Also find you an activity that you can get motivated for not for anyone else but for yourself. Sounds like you are trying to push your good will onto others to make yourself feel a little bit of worth when in reality you need to leave some of that for yourself. I don’t know you but I hope you find some peace.

I’m 38. I’ve got friends all the way up to 80. Every single one of them has similar experiences. You aren’t alone in dealing with what we call “the funk”.
 
ferider said:
This. Just relax, don’t force it. It might come back, something else might show up.

And - if you are married - be patient with your wife.

I started smoking when I was 34, one of several mistakes ...
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Noooo!

No, I don't want it back. It was sooooo damm liberating to get rid of all that 'stuff' in my life. It felt like getting rid of a ball and chain on my leg. Now I don't have anything I actually don't use in my day to day life or at least use often.
 
I've been having a similar thing going on, but a bit different. My issue is I like going shooting with friends, but the economy pretty much killed that. I still go by myself sometimes, but it's just not the same. I'm doing fine, but the guys I shoot with are broke. I'd like to say I could cover them but, $300-$400 for a trip to the range every week would be a hard pill to swallow. Doesn't help that I usually like to run drills and do some moving around, while most of them have completely let themselves go. They all packed on 50-100 pounds in the last couple of years. I'm sure as hell not in peak physical condition, but at least I'm willing to get up from the bench.
I can definitely see the depression thing. It hasn't so much hit me head on, as gotten me as collateral damage. It really sucks watching everyone around you struggle and just kinda give up. You can't really get away from it. Just going grocery shopping you can see the strain on peoples faces. I don't know how we ever let it get this bad. I think back to how things were in the 90s compared to now, and it was like living in a completely different world.
 
I use to shoot a lot -- I still have the handguns, rifles, shotguns, shooting gear & ammo to prove it.

I always went to the range alone because I prefer it that way.

But, now I only to to the range 1x a year before I have to requalify for my LEOSA carry permit to make sure that my gun still works & that I can still hit the target. Just did that last month & won't do it again for another year. 🤷‍♂️
 
"I have always found a Joyous atmosphere when outdoors in Nature" ~ a quiet fishing trip or camping adventure to the nearby lake can work wonders" ~ even watching others doing these types of activities on youtube has tended to bring me comfort and joy ~ I've experienced loneliness desperation and hopelessness ~ you're not alone ~ hope everything is better for you today ~ Proverbs is a good book ~ Big Burley 912 👍
 
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