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Ask HN: Anyone else get depressed when you're not actively digging into a topic?

4 points by samh748 ↗ HN
Sometimes I'll be "done" exploring a topic/project, but haven't yet found another one to dig into (or just run into some sort of a break/gap in mental activity), and I'll basically get depressed (not technically, just temporary low mood) without having something keeping my brain engaged.

I wonder if any of you have advice on managing these gaps. Or maybe strategies you've adopted to always have something keeping you engaged?

9 comments

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lcnPylGDnU4H9OF
I discovered this term monotropism and now I can't stop thinking about it (only partly joking): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotropism. Not saying it necessarily applies to your situation but I hope you can see why I make the connection.

> Monotropism is an individual's tendency to focus their attention on a small or singular number of interests at any time, with them neglecting or not perceiving lesser interests.

I recently also picked up Magic: The Gathering again and started playing at a local shop. Now I can't stop thinking about decks which might be fun to brew. I guess I'll see how long it lasts but I intend for it to be a long-term interest.

samh748
Interesting! I wonder if it's saying one is better than the other? Maybe I should take up more things. I guess I've had the fear of overwhelming myself, but perhaps it'll help!
Rendello
I do the opposite, it feels like everything I do is not important, and I have to find something more important to do (and I end up doing nothing). This applies to programming, cleaning, visiting with family, scrolling online. It doesn't happen so much when running or walking, I feel content in that situation, and it doesn't happen when I'm working and have set tasks to do (physical, non-tech work). So it appears that choice is the main issue.

I've heard parents say that had similar issues before having a child, but the urgency and the lack of time gave them a purpose and single direction.

paulcole
No, I’m capable of doing nothing. It’s not hard. It’s actually easier than doing something.
Mehticulous
Are you mining dopamine to carry you through uninteresting tasks? Dopamining is an ADHD cornerstone. Have you had the same special interests for a long time? Do you have a collection of interests on rotation? Cheers, M
samh748
Hmm I don't think I'm dopamining, but not writing it off entirely either. I've definitely wondered if I had ADHD, but so far it's not checking enough boxes.

I usually have a big "passion" that I keep for at leaste a few years. Right now I'm doing lots of music, and it's not that I want to do something else, it's that sometimes there's just natural dip in activity.

leros
I'm not sure if this exactly what you're talking about, but I think it's important to be able to be content and calm while doing nothing. If not, it's a sign something is off with your mental health.

In very general terms, our brains are pretty good at finding ways to avoid lingering mental issues (trauma, anxiety, etc). You're probably familiar with strategies like alcohol and drugs, but people also use strategies like exercise, work, keeping busy, etc. The goal is the same: keep those pesky thoughts down and avoid them. If you're not doing something, these things bubble up and cause issues.