“I just want to feel normal again”
I had asked her how I could help. That was the response.
I like it when people have goals. I like it when people do things to get them closer to their goals.
Of course, no one is normal. There’s no such thing. But that wasn’t the point of the statement.
She was tired of being depressed. She was tired of the drugs. She was tired of being tired.
Nihilism is a philosophy that teaches everything is inherently pointless. As absurd as that sounds, this philosophy has dug its claws into our lives and whispers nightmares as we sleep.
But you probably won’t see the demons fighting for your soul. Instead you’ll battle apathy and self destruction. The simple things: laziness, loneliness, pornography, social media, credit cards, and drugs.
Our world offers us more and more distractions from the emptiness it buries us in.
But I think there’s a better way.
Here’s 26 Ways You Can Reject Apathy and Fight Nihilism
A) Stop stressing about sh*t outside of your control.
This is obvious, but it’s the hardest to do. That’s why it’s first.
If you’re upset with something, ask yourself this question: What can I do about it? If the answer is nothing, then let it go. Say a prayer and move on.
B) Try to go a full day without telling any lies. If you make it a day, then try to stretch it out to two.
C) Pay back any debts you have as soon as possible.
Read Dave Ramsey. Read The Millionaire Next Door.
If you’re broke. Tell the person you owe, “I’m broke. I’ll hit you up when I have some cash”. But make sure you read rule #2 first.
D) Follow the middle path. Avoid the extremes. Find your balance.
E) You are your own worst enemy. Stop blaming others.
F) Don’t wait until you feel you’re perfect to help others. Start now.
G) Having a mission is better than having a job.
H) Make a list of things you might want to accomplish.
Write out 5 things every day that you’d like to do with your life. Then write out 5 small steps you could take to get closer to that dream.
Make this into a routine. I can’t stress this enough. DO IT EVERY DAY!!! Even if you find yourself re-writing the same things every day, that’s fine.
(Also…Notice I said “might want to accomplish”. This list can be as down to earth or shoot for the moon as you want it to be. Don’t over think it.)
Over time you’ll realize it’s the “5 steps to get you closer to the dream” that are more important than the “5 things you want to do”.
I) If you’re going bald: Shave your head. Grow a beard. Get some tattoos. And write a book on how to help people that struggle with depression and addiction. Or don’t. Who cares. Be you.
J) Ignore 99% of what society tells you to do.
K) Take care of your health.
Go for a walk and do some push ups. Stop drinking soda. Eat food that can be killed and grilled or grown from the ground.
Do some type of strength training. This doesn’t have to be lifting heavy weights or wrecking your back. You need to be able to go from sitting to standing for a long, long time. Trust me, this makes a difference.
L) There is no pill that is going to magically give you energy without demanding something far worse in return.
M) Don’t spread yourself too thin. Learn to say no sometimes.
N) Stretch your comfort zone. Learn to say yes sometimes.
If you’re an introvert like me, this could be difficult. I’m not saying you have to be the life of the party. I am saying you should probably be going to church, family gatherings, and the occasional meet up with friends.
O) Change your daily routine.
If you’re “in a rut”, change your routine. Maybe that’s the time you wake up. Maybe that’s what you do first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon.
You can always start small and build from there.
P) Stay optimistic.
Q) Build things over time. Brick by brick. Layer by layer. Slow progress is the key to real progress.
R) Fight evil and stand up for those weaker than you.
S) Immerse yourself in beautiful things. Art, music, design, blog posts like mine, or whatever.
T) Stay away from toxic things. News, Narcissists, Needles, and Ne’er-do-wells.
U) Rely less on western medicine and more on a healthy lifestyle and your body’s ability to heal. I’m not saying don’t see a doctor. I am saying, that not every symptom needs a pill.
V) Everything changes. Go with the flow or swim against the tide. Both can be right. Just don’t get stuck wishing for things to be different.
W) Consider eating more blueberries.
X) Minimize your space. Clean out your closets and drunk drawers. Clear your countertops. I may be known as The World’s Worst Minimalist, but doing these things have always helped me feel better
Y) Stop reading Self Help check lists.
Z) Become Orthodox.
Peace.
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