Is anyone else unable to have fun?

this is emo af 

Don’t be so hard on yourself for starters. You sound like a smart, driven person with a different sense of fun than most people. There’s a lot of time in life - I’m sure you’ll sort yourself out. Good luck! 

Is the SA already planning exits? JPow raise rates now.

I feel like that sometimes. Strippers usually do the trick. It’s like a reset button

Myself and some of my friends have been feeling this. It’s realistically just that your priorities have changed and you’re an ambitious person. Most people are attracted to “fun” in their youth and then begin to focus on self-improvement as they age. Think about it, what even is “fun” and why does it have to be a party. Maybe you’re just introverted and draw energy from the self. Some take this more serious than others. Idk if it’s a bad thing because sometimes I wish I could just be carefree but there’s so much I want to do in my limited time. 

I can’t have fun but that’s because I have a substance addiction and life feels bleak without it :/ 

Had this exact same problem before it turned into depression. I was using work to create fulfillment until I didn’t achieve my next “ideal step” and the house of cards fell.

That's showbiz baby

Yup, dealing with something similar. Speaking from an engineer’s POV: Something has fundamentally broken inside of me. I program for fun. I solve problems for fun. I can’t even watch a movie without feeling like I’m wasting time and I could be doing something that would further my career and education. I feel genuinely guilty if I don’t study at least a couple hours a day. And I’m not even in school anymore. It’s a painful existence tbh. I feel like an old man even though I’m still in my early 20s. I should be out having fun and enjoying myself and instead most of my weekends are spent inside watching some damn Udemy course and I literally can’t stop. The good thing is that I’m sure I’ll have no trouble attaining career success (and I’ve already improved greatly) but I’m not sure if my attitude is healthy in the long run. 

Similar to you, I recently got an offer from a top fintech company in NYC. I should be over the moon, but all I can think about is getting to the next goal, aka a quant role. It’s just never going to end. 

Same bro, same. The happiest moment every month is the one my pay-check hits, and I see those numbers go up. Apart from that, anything else just sucks.

You guys are too obsessed with your careers. Need to find some hobby. The 2 things that enabled leap forwards in terms of mental health personally were going to salsa classes during the week (you can easily take 1h off work, cmon), and meditating daily before bed. 
 

Also forcing myself to see friends every weekend day

Same as above, payday is the highlight of my month. What money can do makes me happy and gives me comfort. Nature also brings me pure joy. I love to hike and fish. Which I can’t do much of in the city. Overall utility has declined.

Yes. And I always thought it will be OK if "I just hit that next goal". It never happens, you then look at what's next - that behavior won't change. Realize time is now and that there is no such thing as a perfectly happy spot. You will always be eating some flavor of shit sandwich. And if / when you get to the next thing, there will be new problems - spouse, kids, family, aging relatives, life changes you know. The point is that either you learn to live happily in the moment, or you tie your happiness to some event in the future that you think will give you happiness. When you get there it won't - maybe for a few minutes, hours, weeks. Then what? Joes Schmo has a better house, hotter wife etc. 

I can say the above not because I overcame it - but because I'm still somewhat trapped. Just saying it's a mindset thing and it won't magically go away....

That's called growing up and becoming an adult. Congrats! There becomes a time in life where you seek higher fulfillment than gyrating around drunk in a sweaty, dark club with ear-splittingly loud music. Or you realize that it wasn't really that fun to begin with. As Ayn Rand wrote, "Parties are intended to be celebrations, and celebrations should be only for those who have something to celebrate". Otherwise it's just people trying to be more foolish and stupid than they already are in their everyday lives, which is sad. But hey, to you I say, good for you!

100% can relate to this.... For me its not that i am unable to have fun, i am just focused on succeeding and being the best that i don't prioritize having fun for myself..

Try to find that balance cause at the end, life is short. Thats my 2 cents.

I struggle with the same thing and I would recommend trying therapy to help!

Don’t worry. You just need freshened perspective. I don’t mean this threateningly, but the impending recession should help.

Success is the fun.

This is relatable to a certain degree for me

This is relatable to a certain degree for me

axe cap will take you you’ll be the next bill ackman in no time 

Just quit, this is weird.

You don't have the ability to have any spare capacity which means the role isn't for you.

True champions can do the work and leave some reserve to enjoy life. That's what you should aim for in another role.

Bro I’m the exact same way but I kinda like it. You prolly also feel like if you don’t work super hard and are incredibly productive every day you’ll fall behind— trust me, I get it.

You do the same thing I do, which is force yourself to take time for social interaction which is so important. You’re doing great! Don’t feel like there’s something wrong with you as long as you actually are interested and enjoy what you’re learning. Anxiety over your future is also normal as long as it doesn’t disable your normal everyday functioning. You’re okay

one thing i hate about this industry is how linear it is. you do your time you move up a ladder you eventually achieve what you have been chasing, only it took 25-35 years. That is outrageous.