I Hate My Life, What Should I Do?

At some point, most people have thought “I hate my life”. Whether it seems like everything is going wrong or you just do not like your life anymore, there is always a silver lining in your dark cloud. An estimated 50 percent of Americans feel unhappy with their current state of life, and one out of ten people struggle with depression. Meanwhile, a further half of workers are not happy at their jobs. While this may make it seem quite normal to live in despair, you do not have to. Just because everyone else seems to hate their lives and jobs does not mean that you can pursue a rewarding life.

Researchers have found that the number of struggles that we face and the money we make do not determine how happy we are. Interestingly, in third world nations where the struggle to eat is a daily event, depression levels are low or non-existent. This seems to suggest that having struggles and money problems does not equal depression. It may be that individuals who are facing the prospect of starvation or homelessness on a daily basis are able to focus on these factors. While Western citizens may think that “something is wrong with me” when they are unhappy, a starving individual can immediately source the problem to their lack of food. Perhaps it is this ability to put the pain and suffering onto an outside factor or force that makes it easier.

There are other studies that show that poor people give a larger portion of their income to charity and are more willing to help other people. This means that it is entirely possible that being poor—although obviously not the best situation—could be an indication that people in an impoverished condition are also happier because they have family, friends and a community that is more likely to help.

Whatever the case, these musings will not necessarily help in your situation. All it does is show the universality of depression and negativity in modern life. Happiness, researchers suggest, is found through having rewarding experiences, close relationships and a meaningful existence. If you can find someone to love, something to work for and something to do, you can improve your state of mind.

Why Would You Hate Your Life?

Every person is different, so the following descriptions do not necessarily apply to your case. With that said, these are the most common reasons why someone may be unhappy in their life.

I Hate My Life Due to a Lack of Love

It is normal for humans to reach out to other people for love and affection. You may not have a romance in your life that you want, or you may have just suffered a break up. A lack of love in your childhood or a lack of friends could also make you unhappy.

I Hate My Life Due to Anxiety

Sometimes, your life is not the problem. For some people, it is the mind that is at fault. When you suffer from depression, anxiety and other mental disorders, it can feel like your mind has betrayed you. Especially if these conditions started due to another event like a death or a severe loss, it can be difficult to overcome.

I Hate My Life Due to Problems at Work or School

It is unfortunately quite common to have stress at school or at work. Sometimes, your boss makes it impossible to be happy—especially if your boss happens to be a micromanager. School problems like getting the right grades, falling behind in classes or losing financial aid money can also cause you to feel anxious or depressed. Even some aspects of being in school—like drinking at parties—can lead to depression, since alcohol causes a lower mood for days afterward.

I Hate My Life Because of a Rejection

After a break up, it can feel like your world is ending. Actually, researchers using MRI studies have shown that the mind looks like it has a mental disorder for a few weeks after a break up. What this means is that, if you feel like you are going insane, you probably are. With time, your mind will heal and you will be able to go back to normal.

I Hate My Life Due to Drug Use

Drug and substance abuse are unfortunately quite common. After sobering up, it is normal to feel embarrassed, guilty or ashamed of what went on while you are using. Although it may seem impossible at first, you have to accept your past and focus on moving on. You cannot control what has happened in the past, but you have the power to control your future.

I Hate My Life, so What Should I do About It?

Now that you have realized that you have a problem with your life, the main question is what that you can do about it. You may think that you have to achieve fame and fortune to be happy, but that is far from true. If you can do some of the things on this list, you can improve your happiness, well-being and satisfaction in life. All you have to do is find what you can do to change and do it.

Do What You Love

One of the key aspects of being happy is doing what you love. This does not mean that you should just veg out in front of the television. Instead, you should focus on pursuing your passion. Even if you cannot leave your job or start your own business, you can always moonlight with your passion project. Eventually, it may make enough money to live off of. At the very least, it will give you more time where you actually enjoy what you are doing.

Try to Help

When you are focused on helping someone else, it prevents you from thinking about your problems in life. Other than the benefits the people get that you help, you will also get an emotional boost from your altruism. It does not have to be people that you help—choose a favorite cause like the environment, animals or politics and make a difference.

Recognize the Impermanence of Life

Few jobs are permanent, and difficult relationships often come to an end at some point. While life may seem overwhelming at times, take a step back, breath and recognize that life is impermanent. Remember, “This too shall pass”.

Focus on the Positive

As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. It is important that you look on the positive side in every situation and make this into a habit. Even when things are at their most difficult, you have to look on the bright side. Often, having a good life is not in what happens or does not happens to you. Instead, what matters how you view events. Two people can have entirely different perspectives and outlooks on life, even if they experience the exact same things. Happiness is about how you view things, not in what happens.

Surround Yourself With Good People

The people who you are with matter greatly to your happiness. If all of your friends and loved ones are negative, then it is likely that you will feel this negativity. You need to be surrounded by positive people. More importantly, you need to be surrounded by people that you genuinely care about and who genuinely care about you. When it comes time to die, your resume and achievements will matter very little. What will matter is the people that you love, care about and spend your time with. Choose wisely.

Take Every Opportunity

When you are least expecting it, life may throw an opportunity your way. While you are complaining about the problems you suffer from or focus on your depression, you may be ignoring some of the opportunities that exist. Take advantage of everything that life offers you. Whenever possible, create your own opportunities by pursuing your interests, learning more and taking on new responsibilities.

Live Your Life to the Fullest

In the age of Facebook, it is far too easy to focus on what other people think, feel or experience. Studies actually show that people who spend more time on social media than people who do not. While this does not mean that you have to delete your Facebook account, it does mean that you should stop focusing on what other people are doing. To start with, acquaintances often share just the good things that happen and not the negatives, so it can seem like their lives are better when they really are not. Beyond this reason, you should focus on becoming inspired in your own life. If you do not live your own live, who will live it for you?

Start Sleeping More

You know how you feel after a night without sleep—grouchy, tired and unable to focus. Sleep is important for your mental well-being, personal happiness and physical healthy. Even when you are extremely busy, make it a point to get enough sleep every night to wake up feeling refreshed.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Your physical and mental health are intricately connected. When your body is healthy, your mood improves. In addition, eating healthy can help to improve your self-body image and increase your lifespan.

Start a Journal

In happiness studies, it has been shown that keeping a journal makes individuals happier in life. A journal allows you to work through your personal feelings and figure out solutions. It also gives you a non-judgmental location where you can “talk” about what is going wrong and how you feel. You can write a journal online, on a website or in a basic notebook. Whatever you do, start writing.

Step Outside

Fresh air and nature have been shown to boost your mood. Whenever you have a chance, take a walk outside and enjoy yourself. This can help to ground your mind, calm your senses and leave you feeling completely content.

Start Exercising

When you exercise, your body produces endorphins that make you feel happy. In addition to boosting your mood, exercise can improve your body image and self-confidence. It can also give you a productive way to wile away boring afternoons, meet new people and experience new fitness hobbies that you really enjoy.