Life advice
Hello everyone,
When I was 21, I knew what I wanted to do with my life; I wanted to work in finance of some sort. I was late bloomer into college(25), I am 28 now, but I have no motivation to read books anymore on anything. It doesn't matter if it is finance-related or not. I have books on balance sheets, Wall Street Prep programs, and the like, but I have no motivation to read them. Even in my college classes I barely have any motivation to continue in them; I have a 3.8 gpa, but all I want to do is work and sleep anymore.
Any insight from anyone would be greatly appreciated because I used to have such a passion and fire, but I don't anymore.
Thanks for the replies,
I think there's school finance and real world finance. The two are related but liking one doesn't imply liking the other.
If you're dying to get out there and go work and make money, then getting a finance job, etc. etc. should float your boat.
If you think school is too much / you're too tired, finance will be absolute hell.
A job in finance is (or can be) very hands on and you get to do things as opposed to theorize about them... but I doubt you'll get more sleep in a job like this than in school (idk, maybe you study 80-90h / week all the time).
I'd take a couple of very non-finance classes to see if you're tired of school or you're tired of finance.
I am definitely ready for school to be over, but it just doesn't have to do with finance; it has to do with most things in my life. This problem that I have been encountering has been going on for quite a few years, but it has taken me this long to address it and seek counsel.
Talk to a therapist, it sounds like you might have depression. I don't think anyone on here can have any meaningful impact on your very personal problems.
Thanks- will definitely be doing that in the near future.
Serious comment: You could be depressed. Some people can solve this in natural ways by exercising, getting laid, etc. and boosting endorphins. Some people can't and need to see a doctor.
My advice? Do all of it. Exercise more, get laid, and go see a doctor to get your testosterone levels checked and a shrink to get your head checked. No reason to meander through life in a fog.
I may definitely be depressed. I need to get back to working out, and the laid part is not an issue... I will most definitely go to my dr. and have them figure out what is going on with me. Thanks.
Definitely get it checked out by your doctor. Depression really sucks, and if you are diagnosed with it, it can seem like a huge burden. All of that said, there's really good treatment out there - CBT is effective (and there are free online resources which I'm happy to pass on via messaging), and if your functioning is severely impaired, medications can be useful too.
Honestly, the OP really reminds me of how my last severe depression started. He might not have depression, I don't know. But it's definitely worth exploring at this rate.
Do women also solve their depression by getting laid ?Thank you in advance for your clarification.
Hah, I'm sure it couldn't hurt? Then again women seem to be a bit more dependent on their partner's performance. What if you get laid but it is utterly unfulfilling? Could be more depressing
Exercising - natural hormone/endorphin dump. Sex - natural hormone/endorphin dump. Where does gender play into that?
I agree, this may be the start of depression. What strikes me is "I used to have such passion and fire, but I don't anymore". If there are non-school/studying related activities which you used to enjoy but do not anymore, I would probably consider exploring this possibility. Little things can throw us off, it's possible that your mind and body just needs a little help to get back to where it was.
If you have gone that route or seriously don't think it is depression, it's possible you've just become complacent with your life as it is currently. Maybe you can try something new and random to challenge yourself. Whether it's home brewing or learning a new language, you never know what will ignite some sort of passion so you can feel alive again. People need hobbies - perhaps all work and no play have made Monkey87 a dull boy.
Good luck, you can get through this.
Thanks- I have bought some books on self-improvement, learning how to code and other things, but they have stayed on my bookshelf collecting dust for quite a while now. I appreciate and thank you for your input.
You may suffer from Low T
I will definitely look into that. I think that I might with some other symptoms that I have noticed. Thanks
I think you're tired of waiting and what to get over with it. Just like HY.r.e.a.m said you most probably are dying to get hands-on experience.
Definitely ready to get over with school, but I know that I need to get better at modeling and the like, but I guess that I view things of that nature like school. I don't even want to read most books that years ago I would have devoured.
Could be seasonal affective disorder
Thanks, I will look into that. But my problem has been around for years, and it constant; so I am not sure about the seasonality of it.
Does anyone use any kind of vitamins to focus on a daily basis?
Yup, like everyone else says, see a doctor. Get your thyroid (TSH/T3/T4) tested as well.
And not to go off topic but in terms of supplements, I've had a decent experience with Nootrobox Rise.
Could be way off base here and don't be offended if so, but if you're smoking weed, stop.
As others have said, definitely worth seeing a doctor in case it's the onset of depression. Also perhaps finance just isn't for you if it doesn't pique your interest. Were you interested in it before?
To echo previous posters, it sounds like the start of depression and I would get some professional help. Also, the stagnation of college for students that are driven professionally can be frustrating - recognize that. Also recognize that you are older than your peers in college and will not be as satisfied with the experience as a 18 -22 year old.
Also, I appreciate your efforts to continue all this practical finance training outside of class, but maybe take 1-2 weeks off from the modeling coursework and the self-improvement books. Consider an outlet outside of finance and try to switch off. If you cant do that, then read a "fun" finance book like The Buyside or a Michael Lewis book. Theyre light-hearted at most points, relatively light reading, and will put a smile on your face, while still scratching your finance itch.
Take regular time off from school and finance. I went through a similar phase. You are probably suffering from burn out. You absolutely need to switch wavelengths - block out several evenings and 1 or 2 days a week with absolutely nothing finance or self improvement related. If you need to read, do some light fiction reading. Take up a hobby or sport that you've never tried before and have the goal of getting better. I find joining sports clubs is also beneficial from the social aspect of things. You'll meet people and make friends who are totally alien from finance, which is essential. Treat these no finance/self improvement blocks of time as absolutely essential to your mental well being and make sure you are mindful enough to not simply idle them away. Another idea is meetup groups on various topics. Get yourself the hell away from your ingrained routine and "mental train tracks" on a regular basis and you'll be fine. Cheers
Quick word of advice: don't spend any money on supplements or vitamins. They affect people in different ways, and by and large, they are snake oil. None of them are a cure for potential depression.
I don't know why this thread hit me like a ton of bricks. Is it weird to go to campus mental health services?
No. No it's not, even though it feels like it. When I was an undergrad, something like 40-50% of students would use mental health during their time in college. I only went senior year, and I regret not going earlier. It feels weird at first, but you get over that.
I will say is that my condition did deteriorate a lot upon getting counseling. My mood was probably going south anyway, but being given the wrong class of medication really screwed me over. My life hasn't been the same since. I wouldn't have known unless I walked this path, though.
Happy to chat about getting mental health services via messages if you want.
Get a blood test done
It certainly sounds like the beginning of depression to me. A friend of mine who had a minor case said that his shrink told him that apathy is the first stage of depression. I agree with most of the comments above, make time for your hobbies, hang out with friends, have a drink or two and just take life by the horns. It's a great world we live in, I forget that too sometimes, but just keep your head up and pound the pavement. Good luck man.
Thanks guys for all of the input. I have been incorporating your various opinions, and I have definitely noticed a difference. Thanks everyone!
I was reading through this thread and haven't noticed anyone bring this up; how's your social life? Do you have a friend circle? Any close friends? School friends?
IMO, especially since you're older than most of your classmates, it's probably a bit harder for you to integrate into student life and forming a social circle. I would try to find like-minded and passionate people that you enjoy hanging out with as well as people that you can go out with.
Ex nulla ullam rem earum omnis. Accusamus qui aut et corporis laudantium voluptatem quibusdam. Aut autem exercitationem maiores sapiente ea similique. Sed et totam sapiente aut soluta nobis eos. Voluptate laborum eveniet cum placeat eum nihil consequuntur porro.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Et cupiditate aut enim sed iste. Et voluptatem odio impedit eligendi.