What is the purpose of life? What's the point?

Question

What's the point? It's not like I'm suicidal, I just... don't see the point. Right now, I'm stuck in a small town with no friends, no family except my parents who are the ones who moved us out here in the first place (5 years ago). All my friends have moved away here, and there is litterally NO one my age here. The closest to my age is 23... but they have a life of their own, and we don't get along. The closest city is 2 1/2 hours away. All my family and friends live 13-14 hours away. I don't care about school. I could get all F's, or all A's, and I wouldn't care in the slightest. I just don't care about anything anymore. What's the point if we're all just going to die. I don't believe in heaven or hell, no second life, nothing. I think we're like a candle, once the flame is out, it's gone. It wasn't relocated somewhere else, it's just gone. Whats the point? I seriously, have no motivation to do anything. I just don't care. So what is the point, or purpose in life?

My parents are strictly religious, so there are a lot of things I can/can't do. I can't just decide I want to be a musician. They won't allow it.

My parents homeschool me because the high school here is unbelievably bad. I wouldn't want to go there even if I had the choice.

Answer 1

"I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness..."

-Dalai Lama

Answer 2

Being depressed is not the same thing as being suicidal. High school age is the perfect time to be asking about the meaning of life. Some people make that their life's pursuit. But know this - you have to FIND your own answer to the question, no one else can give it to you. In the meantime, to make it easier to FIND this answer, you need to do the best you can do, be the best person you can be, and act as IF it really matters, even if you don't feel like it. WHY? Because regrets kill you long before you're ready to die. If you always do and be your best, what is there to regret? That you chose one path of life over another? You either chose that path based on what you knew at the time (true even when 3 years old) or you didn't see any other choices at the time.

Very few people are strong enough in their sense of self to either say 'Why does life HAVE to HAVE a purpose?' and more specifically, 'Why does life have to have a purpose that I can comprehend?' - it's quite possible that the purpose and meaning of life is beyond one's comprehension. But the question is worth while examining because you can learn a great deal from asking the question. I've never met anyone who wished they'd never learned anything. Most people I've met would agree that there's always been something they didn't learn - be it family history, a bad habit, whatever. But without learning, you can't take care of yourself, you can't keep yourself alive from day to day (knowing how to get into bed is LEARNED, it's not instinctive. So is feeding yourself. Not all cultures use knives, forks and spoons.) It's a big world and we are very small in it. Being small and insignificant are NOT the same.

Some things you could do to help with your feelings of isolation:
1. Keep posting questions like this and reading other people's questions.
2. Choose carefully those people whose questions and answers make sense. Some will become electronic (not virtual) friends, some mentors, and some teachers.
3. In everything you do, you should expect to either a. have fun, b. learn something, or c. make money from it. Not necessarily in that order (depends on the particular activity), but getting all 3 from the same thing is really neat.
4. Keep your eyes and ears open more than your mouth. Everyone around you will be grateful for your sharing spirit and you learn much more than you could ever teach.
5. Embrace each day. The past is behind you. The future will arrive tomorrow. But today is a gift. That's why it's called the present [No, I didn't make that one up. And you probably think it's corny and stupid. Sorry, but it needs to be said.]
--- i'm stopping here. I have to get back to work.

Good luck in your growth and your lifelong search for fulfillment.

Answer 3

I know you probably don't want to hear this, but your life is the way it is because you're choosing it. No one else can make you happy but yourself. I know it's probably hard living in a small town that you didn't want to move to anyway. But it's up to you to make the best of what you're given. As far as not caring about your grades...well that's just plain stupid. you will not get anywhere without at least a high school education. And if you don't believe in anything else after death, then isn't it up to you to make the best of the one life you're given? Why would you just want to through it away? That's really very selfish of you, considering the fact that people die every day at a very young age. People who would have given anything to live out the rest of their life. and here you sit, not caring about a thing. I'm sorry but that is so selfish. And your situation doesn't sound all that bad. You'd be surprised how lucky you have it, compared to others. I'm sure there are kids out there who would kill to be where you are. I'm sorry if I sound harsh, but I really don't see what the big deal is here

Answer 4

Here is your purpose in life:
1. Live your life the way God says to
2. Find what you really like doing & give your mind to it. You will be much happier & successful by doing this
3. I know exactly how you feel because I have felt the same way. Just brainstorm about what would make you happy, and then put forth all your effort to make it come true. Life sometimes sucks today, but you never know what tommorrow brings.
4. If you haven't found passion in life, then you should spend every day thinking about what you really want. A boyfriend, career, money??? What is the thing you really want at this point? Then build a plan to acheive that goal. You will have failures and disappointments along the way, but hang on & you will make it! I promise you that!

Answer 5

I don't know how old you are, but you seem to be kind of young (under 20). The point of THIS part of your life is to prepare to be out on your own, so you can enjoy your life. I grew up similar to you, except I was abused by my father. All that angst gave me the impetus to move away, put myself through college, and go my own way without fear.

Yes, we are all going to die sometime, try making the best of what you have while on this earth. Obviously, you DO have a reason to live, because God put you here for a reason. You need to find your reason for being here yourself. Maybe it has to do with your music? Or another talent?

You also sound very depressed - I know from personal experience. Getting to a good therapist and getting some good medication will stop clouding your view of life. I know, I go through the EXACT same issues as you, and I'm in my 40s. I wonder if the world would miss my presence if I would just go, but then I get a call from a friend or a letter, and someone lets me know that I am needed by someone on this earth. You are too. You just have to give it a chance.

Also, let me tell you (also from experience), when you are gone, your flame DOES NOT just go away. My mom died 5 months ago, and I have spent all this time wanting to die to be with her, but she has honestly comforted me from the other side, she has been with me the whole time, I feel her love as real as when she was alive, even more so, and she reminds me that I am loved still. Her influence lives on, and that was a very big part of her flame.

And what's wrong with making friends with a 23-year-old or someone older? Talking to older people helps you gain wisdom. If someone elderly or even just around my age reaches out to you, talk to them. You just might find that you have something in common with them, and that they have something to teach you. I've always had friends of every age -- I have friends as young as 18 right now, and as old as 96. Reach out to others around you and you may just find your purpose on earth.

Answer 6

If you think there is nothing after you die, all the more reason to find an interest, pursue it, and see where it takes you. Sitting on your butt isn't interesting for you, or for anybody around you. You just need to start by distinguishing between the totally boring and the mildly amusing at first, then build on that. Motivation doesn't happen to you...you have to create it little by little by finding a direction that has some value to you. You probably should leave your small town, preferably going to school, as that will give you more possiblities to choose from later. Also, if you can start volunteering somewhere, it might at least give you a sense of value for your life in that if you can't think of anything to please yourself, you can at least do something to please others.

Answer 7

I was in the same situation I'm 18 and I actualy felt the same when I lost someone close to me and i lived in a small town were everyone knows everyone I would take a deep breath and try to explan the problem with your parent mabe they'll understand you also if you have a car go out and drive make new friends even if they are younger they may be nice give life a chancw

Answer 8

I don't believe in heaven, hell, afterlife, etc. Pretty much what you're thinking, a burning candle. The only realistic point I can think of , life is to make babies, then you can go and rot somewhere. But because we have enough sense to ask ourselves questions like that, we normally don't give up...because we create dreams, goals, hobbies, and stuff to fill the void or empty feeling. Loneliness is probably the worst pain anyone can feel. I feel for you. Write me if you want - be warned, I'm an older fart - but a nice one.

Answer 9

Why do you have such a bad attiude about everything in life? " GOD " put you here to live a full and happy life. You here for a reason. You just have to figure out want you here for !! Maybe, to help people,or your parents. To help handicap children and disabled people. I'm sure there is a reason. You don't believe in Heaven or Hell, because you're closing your mind to life. You must have belief in something. Belief will help you to have a happy and have a full life. Good Luck,and I hope you find " JESUS CHRIST " he's your best friend and he loves you no matter what.

Answer 10

I don't live in a town, but I certainly have had that feeling before and it can be difficult to find the modivation you are looking for, yet alone come up with a goal that is meaningful to you. You just have to question yourself and try to understand where these feeling of your unmotivating self is coming from. For one thing, we had never asked to be born and we never asked or would know the kind of life we would live, but our purpose in life is to learn, change and challenge in what seems at times impossible. I know it may not sound much, but often times we lose a sense of ourselves. Maybe this is what you are going through and maybe just going soul searching is what you need to find apart of you that is missing.

Answer 11

I have asked that question so many times - whats the point???? The only point I can understand is trying to be the best, most peaceful and decent person I can be.

I'm sorry you are lonely and don't have much to do, that sounds rough. Since you don't have many options right now, maybe you can find something to really get into. Your screen name is Guitar Girl. If you play, throw yourself into it and get really good. Or maybe if you know what you want to study in college, start learning about that now. Try to spend your time wisely. Good luck, friend.