Why do i feel like nothing matters anymore
By
PsychReel
In this blog we will explore some of the reasons why you might be feeling like nothing matters anymore.
We will also discuss some of the things you can do to cope when you feel like nothing matters.
Why Do I feel like nothing matters anymore?
Here are a few possible reasons why you feel like nothing matters anymore:
- Overwhelmed by stress
- Depression
- Medication
- Social Isolation and alienation
- Lack of meaning and purpose
- Anhedonia
When we are talking about thoughts like “Nothing matters anymore” we are mostly referring to a sense of hopelessness that one feels in the face of challenges.
This utter sense of hopelessness comes with the despair and dread of not being able to make progress and also in the face of failure. Oftentimes when one feels this way, it can also lead to a sense of “I give up; nothing matters anymore.”
It can lead to one feeling apathetic or feeling like you don’t care any more which can lead to various problems in your life and health.
You might lose the motivation to do things that you once found pleasure or enjoyment in and this can lead to feeling low.
Your relationships might suffer because you lost interest in your friendships and other relationships
It might impact your romatic relationships as well as it might also impact your libido and sex drive; this can negatively impact intimacy experiences.
You might have some problems related to emotions, become socially withdrawn, and have a hard time working for things that you loved or are responsible for because of the lack of interest and motivation.
Let us take a closer look at some reasons why you might be feeling like nothing matters anymore:
Overwhelmed by stress
When one is faced with a challenge and finds themselves stuck or incapable of overcoming this problem, it can lead to a sense of hopelessness where one thinks that nothing they do matters anymore.
This sense of utter hopelessness can lead people to deny their own feelings because they are so overwhelmed with the enormity of the challenge that repressing their emotions is the only way they can deal with it.
Individuals who have repressed their emotions or suppressed them deliberately after something negative or traumatic happens to them could feel an emotional deadening inside.
This is often done as a way to protect oneself from the overwhelming emotion one feels, however done too often and for too long might leave the individual’s emotional dead leading to other psychological and social problems.
Depression
Mental disorders such as depression might also cause this feeling where one of the symptoms is hopelessness along with anhedonia or flat affect where the individual is unable to feel motivated as well as unable to feel their emotions.
When someone is depressed, they struggle to manage their day to day life as well as the challenges that life brings and this can cause them to feel a sense of hopelessness about their situation.
In their mind, nothing they do can help them out of their circumstances so what happens is that they start giving up- even if they don’t want to, their illness causes them to feel hopeless as well as feel like nothing matters anymore.
Medication
Certain medications such as antidepressants can lead to emotional blunting during treatment. These medications can cause one to feel nothing and it can even lead to feelings of low mood and depression.
Some medications can cause one to feel apathetic about anything in their lives and thus lead them to think and feel like nothing matters to them anymore.
Social isolation
Writers at Harley therapy notes that prolonged social isolation, as in the case of the 2019 pandemic could also lead to an individual feeling disconnected, and lead to psychological problems related to depression which could make them apathetic.
When you are isolated from your loved ones, or when you face social rejection or alienation, it can lead one to feel hopeless about their life circumstances as well as hoppess about their future.
This sense of hopelessness because of social isolation could lead one to feel like nothing they do matters anymore.
Lack of meaning and purpose
On an existential note, another reason why people might feel dead inside is because they feel like they have no meaning in life and that their life has no purpose with which they are motivated and driven to do and engage with the world around them.
When one is unable to find a purpose for which they are driven to live and do, they might find their whole existence hopless and this can lead them to feel like they are running around in circles.
This sort of life can cause one to feel frustrated, hopeless, stuck, and also feel like nothing they do matters anymore.
What To Do When You Feel Like Nothing Matters?
Here are a few things that one can do if you feel like nothing matters anymore:
Seek out professional help
The sense of hopelessness that you are feeling could be tied to depression or some biological condition including a side effect of some medication that you are taking.
It is best that you consult with a doctor about any biological reasons as to why you might be feeling this way.
You have to understand that depression is not just low moods, it won’t simply “go away”. There needs to be an active effort to work through your condition as well as pharmacological support that you might need in the case there are neurological causes to your condition.
Talking to a therapist and engaging with them to understand what is happening to you does not mean that you have failed in life. It simply means that you need help like everyone else and that does not make you any less of a person.
If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.
Your therapist will help you understand what is happening to you, might prescribe you medication if needed, and can help you tap into your own strengths that can help you adapt to challenges, changes, and overcome them.
Understanding your condition, diagnosis and Engaging with a therapist, being diligent with your medication, and making the changes you need to make to get better will help you during this difficult time.
Focus on finding leverage.
According to MeiMei Fox, a contributor for Forbes, another thing that you can do is to set yourself up to accomplish goals- small and big goals, for yourself or for your community that you are part of.
Accomplishing goals or working towards accomplishing goals that you want to and that which are important to you will give you a sense of purpose and motivation.
Let these goals be something that you truly believe in and work towards them while also rewarding yourself for every small step for achievement that you make towards your goals.
Challenge your negative thoughts
When you come across a thought that is intrusive and distressing like “Nothing matters anymore”, don’t suppress it or try to reject it.
Instead acknowledge its existence in your mind and identify them for what they are- intrusive thoughts are not really what you believe in, nor is it something that reflects your desire.
Once you’ve let yourself be with these thoughts, replace these thoughts with something positive, something real. Like
Take time to notice what is happening in the present. Instead of focusing on the what ifs, focus on what is and what you are doing at the moment and who you are in the present.
Evaluate your social circle
If you have been experiencing a sense of alienation and isolation because you lack positive supportive and loving relationships in your life, it is time that you reevaluate your friendships and relationships.
Seek to understand what fulfils you and what costs you your happiness. Try to objectively identify who in your life gives you meaning and make an effort to invest into these relationships versus pulling away from relationships that leave you drained out and empty.
Here you might have to consider cutting out certain people and also making changes in your life to spend more time with those that truly support and empathise with you.
Do what feels good.
Now, it is crucial that you experience positive feelings in your daily life according to most positive psychologists.
Positive emotions and experiences are very important for a person to feel better about their lives and their wellbeing. So try to do thighs that you enjoy and make it a priority on your list of daily things.
Take the risk of trying out things that you have pushed aside for so long. This could be you playing with your childhood toys, painting something that you have always wanted to, spending time with your friends, etc.
The goal here is to make sure that you do something that brings you happiness, contentment. You might think to yourself- I don’t have time- here, the challenge is to prioritise yourself first and make time for yourself to enjoy your day.
Conclusion
In this blog we have explored some of the reasons why you might be feeling like nothing matters anymore.
We also discussed some of the things you can do to cope when you feel like nothing matters.
FAQ related to why do i feel like nothing matters anymore
What does it mean when you feel like you’re nothing?
The sense of worthlessness that comes with the thought that “You are nothing” is a thought and feeling that could be tied to depression or some biological condition including a side effect of some medication that you are taking.
It is best that you consult with a doctor about any biological reasons as to why you might be feeling this way.
Is it normal to feel like you can’t do anything?
Yes, it is normal to feel like you can’t do anything, however it is not okay to beat yourself about it. You have to understand that this is a negative thought which needs to be challneged because if you really think about it how true is this thought?
What does it mean when u feel down as if nothing matters?
When we are talking about thoughts like “Nothing matters anymore” we are mostly referring to a sense of hopelessness that one feels in the face of challenges and can also be a symptom of depression.
References
MeiMei Fox. What To Do When You Feel Like Nothing Matters And So Why Bother. Forbes. Retrieved on 5th April 2022. https://www.forbes.com/sites/meimeifox/2020/06/10/what-to-do-when-you-feel-like-nothing-matters-and-so-why-bother/?sh=400363d12728
Nittle.N. What to Do When You Feel Like Giving Up on Life. Verywellmind. Retrieved on5th April 2022
Do you feel like life is not worth living? WHO. Retrieved on 5th April 2022 https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2017/handouts-depression/life-worth-living-03.pdf
Cherry.K. ‘I Don’t Care About Anything’: Why You Might Feel This Way. Verywellmind. Retrieved on 5th April 2022.https://www.verywellmind.com/i-don-t-care-about-anything-why-you-might-feel-this-way-5215747#toc-treatments-that-can-help