26 months clean and feel about 80 percent back to normal. How long does it take your brain chemistry to fully recover from meth after getting clean? What is it like when your natural dopamine comes back? Please give me some hope!

I have no friends, no interesting hobbies, everything looks hopeless and I can't even clean my house. My family calls me every day to ask about chores and I just straight up lie to them. No one seems to care about who I am as a person except for Internet friends. I do horribly at work due to procrastination issues and am constantly worried about being fired in the worst tech market in decades. The world seems to be spinning out of control and will only get worse. I have tried 5 different therapists and none worked. Help.

1. Have a social life.

Humans are social monkeys. Have fun with friends and family socially at least once a day.

If you are socially deprived, you will have emotional issues, guaranteed.

The 80/20 of having a social life is making it the default.

Set. Up. Regular. Repeating. Calls/hangouts. With. Loved. Ones.

Go ahead. Do it now.

You probably already have friends and family who you know would love to have a regular hangout with you who also have unmet social needs.

If you don’t already have a regular call or dinner with your family, set one up.

Set up a family group chat too while you’re at it. It’s a great way to maintain a soft sense of connection throughout the week.

Do the same with old friends who you love. Remember, you can have calls with them if you’re not in the same town. Regular voice calls and video calls can be a lifesaver nowadays when everybody’s so inclined to move.

2. Get your blood tested for common deficiencies (iron, b12, vitamin D, etc).

Deficiencies usually affect mood and they’re super common.

And so easy to fix!

If you turn out to be deficient, it’s literally a pill that costs pennies a day and you’re fixed. And in most countries, it’s free or incredibly cheap to get your blood tested.

Why wait?

3. Actually do the things you know you should be doing. Get a coach to help you if you can't do it yourself.

Fix your sleep if it’s broken. Happiness is so hard if not impossible if your sleep is messed up. I recommend doing a CBT workbook on insomnia, which is decently evidence-based.

Exercise enough. Exercise has been shown to be similarly effective as therapy for treating depression and anxiety. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day. Find something you actually enjoy so you can make it a lifelong habit.

Eat healthy. Find healthy food you actually like and will actually eat. This will only work if it's a habit for the rest of your life, and you'll only stick to habits you actually enjoy.

If you can't fix these things on your own, get a coach to help. Coaches basically specialize in getting you to do the things you want to be doing but can't for whatever reason.

4. Stop watching the news

If you want to be informed, read books.

They're much better quality information and they're not solely focused on making you stressed out or angry.

Consistently consuming information literally designed to make you scared and/or angry is a recipe for poor mental health.

5. CBT or other therapies

Almost all therapies show similar effectiveness to CBT when they're actually studied. Shop around till you find a therapeutic modality that clicks with you.

You don't have to actually go to talk therapy if you don't want to or can't afford it.

There's decent evidence that workbooks and apps are similarly effective and they're much cheaper and available every day of the week.

Remember, most therapies aren't actually complicated to learn. You just have to actually practice them.

I recommend:

• WoeBot (app - DM with a CBT bot for depression and anxiety)

• The Upward Spiral (book, multi-modality)

• Joy on Demand (book, meditation)

• The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Depression (workbook, depression)

• The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Anxiety (workbook, anxiety)

• Unlocking the Emotional Brain (more advanced book, but so good I couldn't not recommend it)

In conclusion, actually do the basics.

If you're reading this, you're probably sad and/or anxious, so I don't want to be mean. But I think part of the reason so many people are sad is because people are not pushing people to do the basics.

If you are sleeping poorly, not exercising, eating shit, deficient, endlessly doomscrolling, and/or have no social life, of course you're gonna be emotionally messed up.

Fix it.

You can. You are not helpless. You can do things to make your life better and you should, and somebody telling you it's alright to suck at any of those things is not helping you. They're keeping you where you're at, and you don't like where you're at!

It's not OK to be bad at those things. You're suffering the consequences of those things and you know it's not OK.

Use that discomfort as fuel.

People only change when the discomfort of change is smaller than the discomfort of staying the same.

2 years ago was in a psych ward after suicidal thoughts since I was 4 years old finally broke me. After years and years of therapy, meds, psychedelics, etc, I finally was able to make the choice to let go of it all and choose not to make myself suffer and choose to love myself. I’n not saying it’s easy—- it’s not, but it ultimately does work. Ultimately it’s a simple choice that anyone can make. I finally realized I had this power in me all along. Realizing the simplicity and letting go of the stories I was telling myself on why it wasn’t simple was the difficult part.

I was so broken. Built terrible perspectives on everything in life. But hope is possible and necessary. And life is fucking beautiful here when you can finally see it.

Yesterday I wished for this to be the best decade yet. For the first time I believe it’s possible after years thinking I would be a completely lost soul forever, and broke, homeless, etc.

Sharing for those that might need to see this. Keep going!

Edit: I am so thankful for all of your support. I am so touched by how many people read this and said it was helpful.

In retrospect and given the popularity of this post A couple important things I want to highlight for all my friends to remember:

1. Stopping meds abruptly without a support network is dangerous. Please don’t.

2. Severe, non-functional depression is not where you start working on this. You have to be able to put one foot in front of the other and be supported in that. If you need help, please get it.

3. Everyone’s journey is different (including what might be causing your suffering). I can’t wave any specific method and say it will work immediately or even at all for you. What I shared above is the product of many years of trial and error and what worked for my path. Not giving up seems to be the key here.

4. There will still be ups and downs. That is very much part of life. The perspective is what shifts.

35f here. I am tired. Just feeling like I failed in life I got laid off. My ex already found another girl. I am feeling super low and losing all hope in life. My family is toxic who keeps comparing me to others so I have been avoiding them.

What makes you happy ? What makes you motivated? Right now I am numb and just feeling like there’s nothing more to look forward in life. I am struggling. Lost my money in stocks too so will have to use savings until I get a job. Everything seems to go downhill in life. I go to workout but it’s not helping me much. I am even tired to write this. Wish I didn’t wake up tomorrow I miss my old life where I was happy and excited about things. But that was me 5-6 years ago. Now I don’t know who I am.

Depression loves to whisper that you’re failing or hopeless, but try to practice being as kind to yourself as you would be to someone you care about. You’ve survived a lot, and even though it’s hard, you’re still trying. That deserves compassion and acknowledgment.

How do I fix my situation. Been applying for jobs for 6 months and nothing. I'm depressed most days and running off savings. Diploma in HR but no experience. Can't get a job and I'm shit at HR anyways. WTF do I do. Money isnt worth shit anyways but we all need it to survive. Everything is so expensive anyways and if I get a job I feel like I'll still be poor. I do need it though. How do I fix this ... Work at mcdonalds I guess ? I did for 3 months when I was 16

I feel old now. I'm in my early 30s and unemployed. I've wasted a ton of time in my life. Dropped out of college 3 times but have finished one college diploma. I have no idea how to fix my life or fix my situation. I've applied to a ton of jobs and have had no responses . I have a two year diploma in business but still don't know what I should do. My hair is starting to thin and I'm insanely unmotivated. How do I fix my situation?

Early 30s now and post occasionally asking questions about this but feel left behind in a sense. Was really depressed and lost in my early 20s after being the life of the party (Mostly) until that time. Spent 7-8 years bouncing around jobs and some long term employment in there as well. Is it possible to meet some of your potential and bounce back in your early 30s. I feel worn down and tired now though... I really want to make something of myself . Has anyone turned it around and came back bigger and better in their 30s ?

Chasing cheap dopamine is the worst addiction to mankind.

Dopamine makes you crave the feeling you get from;

• Sex
• Porn
• Drugs
• Alcohol
• Fast food
• Social media
• Watch movies
• Video games

Here's how you put end to this...

1. Do dopamine detox

Take some time off from triggers and do this:

• Go on a walk
• Listen to music
• Do fun activities like dancing, painting, and ping-pong.
• Hang out with friends

Do activities that will have your mind and body engaged.

1. Get enough sleep.

Sleep deprivation makes you lose;

• Motivation
• Focus
• Energy

This makes you hunt what brings you back to life.

To break this cycle, get 7 hours of sleep every day.

1. Prioritize workout

Workout is a therapy to your mind and body.

If you work out, you

• Ease stress
• Fight depression
• Alleviate anxiety
• Boost your mood
• Improve mental strength

This'll help you balance your dopamine levels.

1. Eat clean

Balance your diet, but make your meal 70% protein

Take in lot of;

• Eggs
• Veges
• Fruits
• Lean meat

This'll help you minimize food cravings.

If you can't regulate, then cut out;

• Sugar
• Alcohol
• Too much caffeine

1. Get enough sunlight.

Expose yourself to sunlight to trigger the release of serotonin

It's a hormone that makes you feel;

• Relaxed
• Focus better
• Boost your mood

Spend 15 minutes from your schedule and sun bask.

Anything you would add?

Ever catch yourself drowning in guilt after that YouTube binge, a trip down the TikTok rabbit hole, or blazing your way to peace? Maybe it's that late-night porn habit or stuffing your belly with fast food?

So why do we keep doing it when we know we'll feel like garbage afterward? It’s like we’re cursed, right?

Here's an idea for you to get better:

Grab something to write, you'll become a scientist for a moment.

1. Recognize the Addiction:

First, call out your vice. What’s that one habit that you keep running back to? Is it gaming, sugar, or that sweet dopamine hit from endless scrolling? Now, be a detective - when do you turn to it? What triggers that itch?

2. Reflect on Emotions:

What emotions do you feel right before engaging in the addiction? Is it stress, boredom, loneliness, anxiety, or sadness?

After falling for the addiction, how do you feel? Do you feel relief, numbness, or guilt? These can indicate what emotional void you're trying to fill.

3. Identify the Underlying Need:

• Escapism: Are you trying to avoid a particular reality or responsibility?
• Connection: Are you using the addiction to compensate for a lack of social or emotional connection?
• Validation: Are you seeking approval, attention, or self-worth through this habit?
• Control: Does this addiction give you a sense of control or predictability in an otherwise chaotic life?

If you’ve made it this far, you've taken quantum leaps toward improvement. Give yourself a break and be proud of this accomplishment. Recognition is often the hardest, but most important step.

Found this useful? Join our bonfire for more content that elevates your life.

K

I've spent all of my life in survival mode. Through childhood I had to survive my parents, in school I had to survive staying in class and not failing, after school I had to survive paycheck to paycheck in hellish jobs to keep a roof over my head.

Now in my 30's my life is what I always worked for. Easy well-paying job, wonderful spouse, and peace every day. So why do I feel so empty? I have no drive for anything. It's like without the risk of failure life lost all meaning. I've been trying therapy for a few years but it's not helping. How do I find meaning again? How do I bring life back into my life?

Been sending time with family/relatives this week n everyone’s asking me why I am not married since I am gonna turn 36 soon and why no job/all that. Since I got laid off I haven’t been able to find a job and taking a course, I met my extended family members after a year today and I am in the worst place now than I was in Nov last year. Last year this time I was studying and preparing for interviews. Then I had a job and got laid off later. I hate myself for being in a relationship with ex who is already married now. I hate for myself for loving him so much. I go to gym but past few days I have been stress eating more. I am tired. I hope I don’t wake up tomorrow. I am Very frustrated . Job market hasn’t been good and I only got rejections this year. I wish it was easier to just end things and not being here. I just wanna get out of here. But I don’t have extra n resources where I can just go somewhere where ever I want. Feeling super lost

I catch myself getting an attitude with family members, customers at my work, etc. for small things, usually for not going at the same pace as me (keep asking questions, rushing me, interrupting, not understanding something, just generally being inconvenienced). I really hate that I’m like this, I feel guilty almost every time I do it. What are some ways that I can change my attitude towards people and in general? I know everyone is in their own world and almost nothing is personal but it’s hard not to react like it is.

There are 5-minute people in your life,

there are 5-day people in your life, and

there are 20-year people in your life.

Acknowledge that the time we spend with people is mostly limited. Often, we cannot predict how much time we will spend together. But what we can do is recognize that our time with them is finite.

Treat them with that awareness. Ask them the questions you are curious about. Learn from them as if they might leave tomorrow. Share with them the things you'd like them to know. Create memories that will outlast time, and offer them kindness when they least expect it.

But don’t, don’t take their presence for granted. They could be gone tomorrow already.

Cherish.

1. Write down your top 3 priorities every morning (or the night before)
2. Divide your day into blocks of time and assign a task to each one.
3. “If rest increases your output per unit of time, then it was productive.”
4. If it’s not on your calendar—It probably won’t happen.
5. Write a "Not-To-Do List", your biggest productivity killers to avoid.
6. If a task takes less than 2 minutes—do it now.
7. Only ever compare yourself to who you were yesterday.
8. “If you have more than 3 priorities, you don’t have any.” — Jim Collins.
9. Being able to receive feedback without taking it personally is a superpower.
10. If you don’t plan your time, someone will plan it for you.
11. Your energy is determined by the quality of your sleep, diet, and exercise.
12. If you’re procrastinating on something, work on it for just 2 minutes.
13. 4 hours of deep work > 12 hours of distracted work.
14. Burnout happens when you treat rest as a reward rather than a right.
15. You’ll never regret taking a walk outside.
16. 1% improvement every day for a year = 37 times better.
17. Nothing good ever comes from bringing your phone to bed.
18. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
19. If you want to change something in your life—track it.
20. Productivity is about making time for what matters most in your life.

There you go, hope this post doesn’t trigger anyone :)

Title. I can't study. It isnt due to internet, apparently. I can block it all I want and just have a textbook and a notebook and I would instead draw random bullshit, I would just stare and imagine I am having a better life than now. I read stupid super hero comic books and stupid fantasy novels all the time. I read random and stupid relationship stuff in Reddit, trying to dodge my real life. The thing is the more I want to learn something the worse it gets. I can't even read a paragraph of text without completely trailing off. I am living more in my head than normally.

How do I fix this situation? I currently live with a girl away from family. I have some savings but not very much. I'm 32 and have a two year diploma in HR. I hate my life. I'm severely depressed most days. I can't seem to fix my situation. I've applied to so many jobs and have never gotten a call. Was thinking of trying to learn Comp tia A+ on youtube and taking that certification but I dont know if I can do that. I also have a security guard test scheduled for next month so I can get certified. Figured there was a lot of work for that... Other than that I have zero friends... I had an old friend invite me to a much bigger city to go see some art gallery/dress up for it... I don't have nice clothes really and that's never really been my scene. I'm struggling to find relationships and positive emotion anymore. I'm also having some physical problems that are preventing me from lifting weights which I used to do. I'm not obese but it's still an issue... I used to be much more social when I was young but a string of bad choices and decisions has led me to leaving a much bigger city, and not doing much of anything/struggling with depression. Any advice would be helpful.

I'm 26.

I built a startup right after graduating at 21. Ever since I've been working 16-18 hrs a day. I've had no vacations or days off. My startup is successful and I've made money. I'm also popular and charismatic when talking about my field or presenting at conferences.

But outside of work, I am nothing. I feel anxious when talking to new people unless it's work stuff. I have ruined my sexual performance by jerking off 2-3 times a day to unwind. I can't do table talk or woo someone.

I need to catch up to become a well-rounded person.

What do I do? Where do I start?