A lot of people have a period of time when they slowly but surely lose interest in everything. Even the source of one's enjoyment, like hobbies and passions, can not bring joy anymore, and it becomes harder to function.
The loss of interest, also known as anhedonia, can be a symptom of depression. Loss of interest can impact not only your daily routine and job but also your family, relationships with other people, and even hobbies that once helped you to thrive and enjoy a life that now turns into a burden or mundane routine.
People who face a lack of passion and interest always feel lost, hopeless, and anxious. Nevertheless, even in such situations, when people see no exit and light at the end of а dark tunnel, there is always a solution. Some ways can help faster than others, and some can be seen as boring and useless actions that won't help; however, with discipline and the right mental and physical help, you can bring back the spark of joy that you once had.
In this article, we will guide you step by step out of the luring pit of darkness with some advice and mental and physical exercises.
Self-care routine
If you are not taking care of yourself, meaning both physically(your body) and mentally (your mind ), your hobbies and passions will suffer. Self-care is one of the ways to make yourself feel better, which can help with motivation, giving you the energy to create and enjoy your passions again.
Self-care routines can differ from individual to individual, and because of this, we need to find the right one for you. Most people think that a self-care routine is something physical, always involving some physical actions, like going to the gym, doing a skincare routine, or taking a walk every day. However, it can also be mental care and exercises like meditation, sleep, daydreaming, reading books that you planned to finish a long time ago, and much more. It can also be some alone time with your thoughts or practicing yoga that can help you calm down, get in touch with your body, and find peace. Calming music, ambiance, or noises around you during yoga can help you identify and find the main reason for the causes or combat your loss of interest. You can also contact or find a psychologist and go through therapy. Moreover, you can find people who have had or are still having such issues and ask about their experiences and advice of their own. You can find such people during anonymous meetings or online on different platforms such as Facebook groups, Discord channels, different online services and forum websites.
Another way to overcome this pit of disinterest is Art therapy. No matter what your hobbies are, drawing, coloring, and makeup can help you to express yourself and your negative emotions, cleaning your mind from them.
Exploration/Observation
Sometimes, exploring something new, something you didn't explore before, can motivate you and help you to regain your passion for life and hobbies. Listen to scientific podcasts and watch YouTube channels exploring biology, astronomy, or any science facts. There are channels with positive news; thus, follow them instead of bad news that can affect your mental health. However, if you don't want to be on social media since it is hard to keep yourself out of bad news while using social media, you can go out and observe people. Just go to the nearest park, and while sitting and relaxing, try to observe creatures, things, and even humans around you. Try to assume who they are, what they work for, and what they love to do during their free time just by looking at them and their outfits. Try to think about positive outcomes, look at what they are doing to have fun, take notes, and try those activities, too.
Reshape and differentiate your ideologies and understanding of words.
Lack of interest and avoidance are different words and mean different things, and differentiating between these two things can help you overcome the issue. Try to ask yourself why you don't enjoy things you used to love, and try to find the reason behind the emotions you have. If you think you are not good enough and you do not see progress in your hobby, or you have negative feelings about your passion, then it indicates avoidance. If negative feelings are caused by trauma or other unknown reasons, then a professional therapist and help can give an explanation and solution to your problem. However, if the reason is that you feel you are not good enough for your hobbies, then you can fix it in another way described below.
Take small steps.
Enjoy and focus on the process, not the result. If you were doing your hobbies more often and extensively, try to make them less extensive and with more break times. Even though you can feel numb and do not have the motivation to take out tools and start full projects, try to at least minimally engage with them as you used to at the beginning. Try to do small and quick projects. For example, instead of writing a whole new chapter, write a short story or, instead of knitting a whole blanket, try crocheting a small plushy or small square of interesting patterns. Try to focus on your feelings and work on reviving the joy you were one experiencing by taking baby steps. Most likely, it will help you to enjoy your favorite activities again since you will notice your progress better by looking back.
As you journey through the peaks and valleys of life, it's natural to encounter moments when even your most cherished hobbies seem to lose their sparkle. In those times, remember that passion can be rekindled and joy rediscovered. Start with self-care, explore new avenues, and embrace small steps to reconnect with what once brought you happiness. Life’s adventure is about continually finding new ways to light up your world. Wishing you endless curiosity and renewed passion!