So I came damn near close to not writing this blog. In fact I have been taking my first extended break from blogging in like, forever.
Today’s topic is about the feeling of apathy. Some people would call it lazy but that’s just apathy with intention. Others would say insouciant but that’s just plain lazy without caring. Lassitude is too dang slow to describe the feeling.
Half-heartedness. That’s it! Apathy is all about heart, really. Or lack thereof. You see when your heart wanders you lose sight of your goal. Without a goal you flounder. Like a flat fish on dry-land flip-flopping for water you gasp for meaning. You need a purpose. A destination maybe. A reason to compel action.
Sometimes you take these for granted. You never notice them. You work to earn a living. You love and create to feel alive. When times are good you function on autopilot and all is right and good with the world.
When crisis erupts, however, you lose your bearing. Like a drunk, you stagger woozily. Disoriented, you sometimes lose sight of your goal. Instead of action, nothing. A profound sense of sadness or frustration or carelessness typically underpins apathy. The result is non-action. Time drags by slower. The world dims. You have urgent desires to eat chocolate or watch re-runs of “I Dream of Genie”.
So what to do?
Turn on all your lights? Ramp up your heat? Or shake it off like a dog waggling off water? Yeah, spray everyone around you. Piss them off. Will yourself into the world and the world will kick you in the shins and it will hurt. But the pain will focus your attention on the big questions: What am I doing? Why am I doing it? The feeling of apathy then becomes a gift of sorts. An opportunity for you to re-evaluate those questions and reinvigorate your response to them.
So have you ever suffered from the feeling of apathy? What brought it on?
What was your response? How did you beat it?
What is Truth North on your life’s compass?
7 Responses
People are my True North. Luckily when I see others in need it helps me remember the balance of my own life and how fortunate I am. And it is cathartic to reach out to someone else and pull them up. Both win.
Posted on March 5th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Oh boy. Eegads, I don’t know. Yeah, I think we’ve all hit apathy at some point. I just got back from a blogging break, although it wasn’t a crises or apathy that took/kept me there. I do think it did me wonders. I reviewed my priorities, and asked myself why I was doing certain things. People are great,but they are sometimes the triggers to a crises and all that follows. I guess I did have a bout of apathy in December. I decided (while welcoming 2009 in) that “life is now”…each moment and each day, and this year I committed to remembering that through action (I often forget)…and, that meant for myself, no matter who is around me, and whether they accept it or not. It has helped and I have felt much happier each morning, and have done a ton of small things that I like, and usually forget to do.
Pentad’s last blog post..Mental Decline and Long Working Hours
Posted on March 6th, 2009 at 12:10 am
ahhh true north….
one person comes
to mind…hmmm…
yes love is true north
i do so believe..
i am a very trusting person
so for me it has taken a while
to figure people out…sometimes
i’ve been known to throw my pearls
to the pigs……i love that image…
dirty pigs with pearls upon their
rooting snouts…
anyhow…discovering…only a few
people can be one’s true north..
those whom love unconditionally
and do not judge….or condemn…
apathy….2007….early spring…apathy…
on much……but i walked through it
following my compass to my sweet
true north…walking through apathy is
worth it….
cheers jd~ooo la la….
Posted on March 6th, 2009 at 8:12 am
Good Morning JD!!!
Great blog yes i have felt apathy many of times with family members and friends!! I alway’s try to make other people happy and it’s starting to wear me thin.They would probally all fall over if i actually told them no i can’t do something.I don’t mind helping people but when helping comes to expecting and i say i can’t that day they start in with the guilt trip because they know i will give in but you know what i’m 44 and i need to take time for myself and start making me happy and if they don’t like it oh F—–g well!!!Easier said then done i need to grow a damn back bone..lol but me i’m true north and will alway’s be that way i’m a libra so i keep things balanced!!
Have a great day JD!!!
Posted on March 6th, 2009 at 11:11 am
I know the feeling.. dont know what caused it, maybe my meds..
I havent done much to deal with it I sleep alot on weekends..
I probably get better with spring.
Posted on March 6th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Great topic, excellent post. I won’t go into much detail (applause!) but I battle with this quite a bit. I’ve found that one thing that helps is setting small goals. Little accomplishments keep you going. For me, this usually means writing something every day. It doesn’t have to be an entire article or chapter in the book or any huge number of words. Just…something. Keep things moving.
You’re a great writer with a great blog. Don’t stop.
-Jeff
Posted on March 12th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I’m really glad you found your true north.
Hope ya’ll enjoy it.
Posted on March 30th, 2009 at 12:39 am
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