Childhood Excitement Gone

[RandomFella]

Life has changed.

I remember when I was a kid, everything was new and exciting and fun. I could spend hours upon hours just doing one simple thing and it was great! This changed gradually the older I became.
I was always a gamer, so this is the perspective from a gamer for the most part. Games were still okay when I was 15. There would still be new ideas and concepts, which would keep it exciting. But when I was 16, it just wasn't fun anymore. And I don't think it has to do with the responsibilities of becoming older. As a lone wolf type of guy, there would still be plenty of time to play games, but I just didn't feel like it anymore.
After this, I would try new hobbies. I finally had internet access and many more options. I started reading Manga, watching Anime, horror movies and other things. I discovered online games and the first time I played it...it was just like in my childhood! Completely new and with other people I could talk to! Amazing! But all of it became boring too, eventually.

I realized that all those things were exciting because they were new. But nothing can remain new forever. I started to question my life and the point of everything. What's the meaning, what's the purpose of it all, when everything starts to become boring and unimportant to me? I still played new games on new consoles when they seemed like fun, with years of breaks inbetween, it still was exciting - for a while. But then, not long ago, I started to question the meaning behind it and lost my interest completely. Even the wish to make my own games vanished, because it would just be the same. Only new is exciting. But I seeked more, I seeked something meaningful.

In the end, I realized that the thing that I'm really looking for, was simply "love". Not talking about romantic stuff, since to me it's similar to games and will become boring and meaningless after some time.
As a lone wolf person, I was in the best spot. It was important that I just focus on myself, my inner voice, my true nature and what I really want. Wherever I went, I was most of the time deep in thoughts. True love isn't fun-related. It is just about feeling good. Games are fun. But this was just one example. Jokes can be fun too. Most hobbies actually. But I was wondering: What happens when every unique game is completed? When every possible joke is told? Again, to me, only new and unique things are fun. Similar things are boring to me from the get go. It seems unavoidable to reach the point where we have "seen it all".
I simply couldn't accept this. I can't accept that everything will become boring eventually. And thus lose it's meaning. But it's just a fact, it has to do with how the brain works. Trying to force it or still playing games out of habit doesn't change anything.

After I found my answers, basically my true nature and love, I wasn't interested in the "fun" anymore. No interest in the (to me) meaningless. It was an important change in my life.
Okay, it sounded a bit harsh. I enjoyed all those things in the past, so it wasn't meaningless. It was an amazing time and I can only be grateful for it. But the change and developement and acceptance was very important to find true happiness.
The way I feel now...is not full of adrenaline and excitement. It's far from it, in fact. I will probably never feel that way ever again. Maybe only if Aliens visit us on earth or something else crazy, this would be exciting. But even this would just become normalcy as well. It is awesome to feel this huge amount of excitement. But it's not meant to last forever, we experience it only so often in our lives. So...what's really important, what really matters, is what we have otherwise. With the love and my true nature, I just feel good and positive. I seek only love, not fun. I seek the things that compliment my life and nature. Fun things (or new things) are good and important for variety and they still happen when I don't expect it. It just became a side effect, basically. It's not what truly matters to me in life, it simply spices things up a little, surprises. If there is a new game concept that sounds amazing to me, I'm sure I will try it anyway. But never ever should it be the main focus in life. It doesn't and can't work, we can't have this constantly. Unless someone really *loves* games. But personally, I found what I love elswhere. :') To me it's all connected to my heart and nature, it comes from within and I feel attracted to things that speak to my very nature. If this isn't the case, it wouldn't give me fulfillment. Even logic can't help with this. Some things seem logical and make so much sense, but still are totally unfulfilling. These things can't be answered with logic. Really, no one can help with this.
The best thing we can do (in my opinion) is to be completely free from all outside influences. Just listening to our inner voice to find the answers we need. After knowing who we really are, we can build good and honest relationships too, if we want this. I think the chances are higher to find long-lasting friendships, when the other person reached the same level and found their true nature. Before this, life is just chaos, good and bad things - everything can happen. Just my opinion of course.
We became a strong foundation. In the end, no matter what happens, we know who we are. The foundation always remains.
I think people who can be happy with just the foundation are blessed, being alone might be their nature. Having the own little garden on the foundation, some beautiful flowers, maybe even butterflies flying around. But in my experience, I'm waaay more happy to connect my nature with other natures of the same kind. Not necessarily other lifeforms! But especially music. There may be millions of tracks and I can simply choose the music fitting to my nature or feelings. It is love. When I hear a good track for the first time, I'm super excited (fun). But afterwards, I just feel good with it (love). Even if I listen to music that is as old as me, every week, never bores me. But variety is important, just one song would be the same as only eating bread every day, haha.
Just a personal example. Love can be anything, depending on your nature. Even dead objects, doesn't matter. Only thing that matters is that it makes you feel good. And if it makes you feel good, you care. And this makes you an awesome and very lovely person in the end. :3

If you feel the same way as I do, do not worry. It is normal to lose the excitement we had as kids. It is a natural process when we become older. It can be frustrating and painful. It is better to accept the change. Excitement simply changes to feeling good, love. It is a different feel, but not worse. The good thing is, that the good feel is steady, while excitement is only temporary.

I have a question myself, if anyone knows the answer. How is it like to (constantly) risk the own life? Like, unsecured climbing on huge buildings, jumping on trains or whatnot. You may know these videos from YouTube. Will this become boring as well over time? Will people get used to this? Or the risk of losing the life will always keep it, uhm..."thrilling"? Just wondering.

Other than that, I'm just curious to hear about your opinions and experiences.

Thank you for reading!

 

[Finished]

^ Ah, yes new is exciting an fun. I have always enjoyed exploring. I have seen, hiked, and climbed some really amazing things. But, I don't like to go back to revisit them no matter how awesome they are. It's just like.....hmmm. Seen it. Did. Done. There are no surprises.

After the first couple paragraphs I thought you were going to tell me that you found religion and how it filled your emptiness.

But, then you started talking about love and love in music. Then I realized you were actually talking about porn. It all makes sense if you substitute porn for music in the text above. Ha! ha!

I was one of those people that continually did dangerous stuff in search of an adrenaline high. Sometimes I would hope that some little thing would go wrong and I would actually die. It was great riding the border. But, in the end I didn't die. I did get hurt many times, sometimes bad. I still want that rush but I can no longer do the things necessary to get it. Just hurting myself doesn't get me the rush. So, for the most part I'm just waiting to die.

 

[Forgottendanfan]

I'm almost incapable of feeling excited about anything now. I'm only 33, but it feels like all the new stuff in life I'm ever likely to experience, has already been sampled.

 

[RandomFella]

But, then you started talking about love and love in music. Then I realized you were actually talking about porn. It all makes sense if you substitute porn for music in the text above. Ha! ha!

Before someone misunderstands: I really was talking about actual music, haha.

I'm almost incapable of feeling excited about anything now. I'm only 33, but it feels like all the new stuff in life I'm ever likely to experience, has already been sampled.

It's a very difficult situation to be in... I was always fascinated by people, who seemingly have an endless passion for what they do. I know someone who still makes videos, daily, since 11 years. When I tried it I had enough after 1 month, haha. I always hoped to find this kind of passion for myself as well.

 

[SquiddyKat]

I can relate. When I was little, the world was a 'magical' place. I was full of wonder, excitement, I was very emotional. Now, everything seems dull. I find myself looking for things that can bring it back, things from my childhood or remind me of it. I do get some feelings of excitement and stuff occasionally. I fantasise a lot, which can create a good feeling, but it's not the same.

 

[Zen28]

I still feel excited and curious about things I like. We're all under such pressure to "grow up", some things about you never grow up though.

 

[funnylife33]

Nothing much to see here in this world of mine .
Maybe that is why i am feeling dull too

 

[Just_another_one]

Well, children are guided in their development by their curiosity for new things. That's the way they learn, discovering, imitating, trying. Excitement is something they need to become adults.
Adults can still be excited and amused by new and old things, I still get involved in literature (I've become more picky but I still can find books I can't stop reading), music (I admit I keep on listening mostly to the same things, but sometimes I can find something new that attracts me), travelling (there are always new places to see) and many other things.
I've never been a gamer so I can't talk about it, for sure growing up you lose part of your imagination and maybe games become less involving.

I think if you set some goals in your life you don't get bored. Or at least this is how it works for me.
There's always something new to learn, like speaking a new language or playing an instrument, studying something new, trying to grow in your working field etc. For me life is about self development and that's what keeps me going on.

 

[user 139760]

When you shovel enough ****, nothing remains fun anymore. It's like walking in a world of grey where you know you're only casually waiting for the end.
It's alright.

 

[JJW]

This post took me back to being a boy in the dirt pushing my matchbox cars around. Oh, to be free of responsibility and enjoy the simple things.

 

[user 139760]

This post took me back to being a boy in the dirt pushing my matchbox cars around. Oh, to be free of responsibility and enjoy the simple things.

Move over, I've got a few construction trucks, we can make a bridge.

 

[JJW]

Move over, I've got a few construction trucks, we can make a bridge.

We need a river for a bridge. I'll get the bucket.

 

[Efbee]

Life has changed.

I remember when I was a kid, everything was new and exciting and fun. I could spend hours upon hours just doing one simple thing and it was great! This changed gradually the older I became.
I was always a gamer, so this is the perspective from a gamer for the most part. Games were still okay when I was 15. There would still be new ideas and concepts, which would keep it exciting. But when I was 16, it just wasn't fun anymore. And I don't think it has to do with the responsibilities of becoming older. As a lone wolf type of guy, there would still be plenty of time to play games, but I just didn't feel like it anymore.
After this, I would try new hobbies. I finally had internet access and many more options. I started reading Manga, watching Anime, horror movies and other things. I discovered online games and the first time I played it...it was just like in my childhood! Completely new and with other people I could talk to! Amazing! But all of it became boring too, eventually.

I realized that all those things were exciting because they were new. But nothing can remain new forever. I started to question my life and the point of everything. What's the meaning, what's the purpose of it all, when everything starts to become boring and unimportant to me? I still played new games on new consoles when they seemed like fun, with years of breaks inbetween, it still was exciting - for a while. But then, not long ago, I started to question the meaning behind it and lost my interest completely. Even the wish to make my own games vanished, because it would just be the same. Only new is exciting. But I seeked more, I seeked something meaningful.

In the end, I realized that the thing that I'm really looking for, was simply "love". Not talking about romantic stuff, since to me it's similar to games and will become boring and meaningless after some time.
As a lone wolf person, I was in the best spot. It was important that I just focus on myself, my inner voice, my true nature and what I really want. Wherever I went, I was most of the time deep in thoughts. True love isn't fun-related. It is just about feeling good. Games are fun. But this was just one example. Jokes can be fun too. Most hobbies actually. But I was wondering: What happens when every unique game is completed? When every possible joke is told? Again, to me, only new and unique things are fun. Similar things are boring to me from the get go. It seems unavoidable to reach the point where we have "seen it all".
I simply couldn't accept this. I can't accept that everything will become boring eventually. And thus lose it's meaning. But it's just a fact, it has to do with how the brain works. Trying to force it or still playing games out of habit doesn't change anything.

After I found my answers, basically my true nature and love, I wasn't interested in the "fun" anymore. No interest in the (to me) meaningless. It was an important change in my life.
Okay, it sounded a bit harsh. I enjoyed all those things in the past, so it wasn't meaningless. It was an amazing time and I can only be grateful for it. But the change and developement and acceptance was very important to find true happiness.
The way I feel now...is not full of adrenaline and excitement. It's far from it, in fact. I will probably never feel that way ever again. Maybe only if Aliens visit us on earth or something else crazy, this would be exciting. But even this would just become normalcy as well. It is awesome to feel this huge amount of excitement. But it's not meant to last forever, we experience it only so often in our lives. So...what's really important, what really matters, is what we have otherwise. With the love and my true nature, I just feel good and positive. I seek only love, not fun. I seek the things that compliment my life and nature. Fun things (or new things) are good and important for variety and they still happen when I don't expect it. It just became a side effect, basically. It's not what truly matters to me in life, it simply spices things up a little, surprises. If there is a new game concept that sounds amazing to me, I'm sure I will try it anyway. But never ever should it be the main focus in life. It doesn't and can't work, we can't have this constantly. Unless someone really *loves* games. But personally, I found what I love elswhere. :') To me it's all connected to my heart and nature, it comes from within and I feel attracted to things that speak to my very nature. If this isn't the case, it wouldn't give me fulfillment. Even logic can't help with this. Some things seem logical and make so much sense, but still are totally unfulfilling. These things can't be answered with logic. Really, no one can help with this.
The best thing we can do (in my opinion) is to be completely free from all outside influences. Just listening to our inner voice to find the answers we need. After knowing who we really are, we can build good and honest relationships too, if we want this. I think the chances are higher to find long-lasting friendships, when the other person reached the same level and found their true nature. Before this, life is just chaos, good and bad things - everything can happen. Just my opinion of course.
We became a strong foundation. In the end, no matter what happens, we know who we are. The foundation always remains.
I think people who can be happy with just the foundation are blessed, being alone might be their nature. Having the own little garden on the foundation, some beautiful flowers, maybe even butterflies flying around. But in my experience, I'm waaay more happy to connect my nature with other natures of the same kind. Not necessarily other lifeforms! But especially music. There may be millions of tracks and I can simply choose the music fitting to my nature or feelings. It is love. When I hear a good track for the first time, I'm super excited (fun). But afterwards, I just feel good with it (love). Even if I listen to music that is as old as me, every week, never bores me. But variety is important, just one song would be the same as only eating bread every day, haha.
Just a personal example. Love can be anything, depending on your nature. Even dead objects, doesn't matter. Only thing that matters is that it makes you feel good. And if it makes you feel good, you care. And this makes you an awesome and very lovely person in the end. :3

If you feel the same way as I do, do not worry. It is normal to lose the excitement we had as kids. It is a natural process when we become older. It can be frustrating and painful. It is better to accept the change. Excitement simply changes to feeling good, love. It is a different feel, but not worse. The good thing is, that the good feel is steady, while excitement is only temporary.

I have a question myself, if anyone knows the answer. How is it like to (constantly) risk the own life? Like, unsecured climbing on huge buildings, jumping on trains or whatnot. You may know these videos from YouTube. Will this become boring as well over time? Will people get used to this? Or the risk of losing the life will always keep it, uhm..."thrilling"? Just wondering.

Other than that, I'm just curious to hear about your opinions and experiences.

Thank you for reading!

 

[U-122]

All childhood excitement gone at around 8 when i stopped caring for lame birthdays and holidays. Something didn't feel right but i couldn't explain what it was. I spent a lot of time outdoors playing with neighbors and schoolmates. I liked being outdoors, sun sea sand or playing in snow, travel with my parents. As of 1990 console gamer and then PC on and off. I was a light gamer until last September. Something happened which made me lose interest in everything. I try to do things i used to enjoy when i was younger. Can't do anything anymore. I still do a few things but nothing excites me anymore. There's no fun. Partly because of age, partly because i don't have a life, partly because i'm completely alone and have no one to share with. When i did have someone it was almost like it never happened, unreal, because i knew sooner or later it'll end and i'll be alone again. I was right.

Best way to answer your question about (constantly) risking one's life, is to try it yourself. If at first you don't succeed, risking life is not for you

 

[4No1]

The same for me, no excitement.

I don't know exactly how is risknig a life, but I supposed nothing exciting. I've seen an interview with Alex Honnold(A climber who climbs free solo very high) and he says that if he was going to fall he woul be scared. But he is not really scared cause he just climb. So he doesn't see it more dangerous than some ordinary things, like driving f.e. As far as I know there's smth with his amygdala by the way(it's more "calm" than an average one).

Sometimes I feel an adrenaline while washing the windows(30m to the ground) , but it's not an excitement that I felt waiting for New Year as a kid (

 

[Colster]

For me, I'm finding much more excitement as I get older. There is no thrill seeking, death defying feats. Instead, I can get a tremendous buzz from the mundane things. Walking a new path, driving a different road, exploring another city.

Even at the time old age of 48, being English born and bred. I still enjoy learning new words, grammar, and ways to structure sentences; this did not remotely inspire me during my school days.

I have befriended a few celebrities over the years. The late James Best, famed for playing clumsy Sheriff Roscoe, in Dukes of Hazard. I used to chat with him a lot. Likewise, I once wrote an article in Street Machine Magazine, to which resulted a many lovely conversations with custom car builder Andy Saunders.

Never in my wildest dreams, did I expect to grow up with walking as a passion, loving English language, or chatting with old-school Hollywood heroes, or custom car legends. None of it has ever been planned.

A weird little dude, from a dull suburb on the fringes of a city. More farmland than hustle. No mobile phones or internet in those days. My parents were also exceptionally guarded with money, so if we wanted things, sometimes needed things, we still had to work for them.

Perhaps I have always been very grateful for the little things. Maybe I do not aspire to much. I could just be an incredibly dull person. Anyway, I have done some spectacular things in my life, few which have been planned.

My greatest achievement is being a Dad. My daughter is to me, simply the most wonderful spectacular thing on this planet. This being despite the fact that we are becoming increasingly distant, as she lives in a very insular bubble of autism. Yet, I am always awaiting the call to spring into action, whatever the Dad duties might be, typically paying for something.

Please do not read this and think that I am a nauseating optimist, this could not be further from the truth. There has been several different stages of my life. Dispite being popular and liked, I have issues with loneliness. Similarly, I can be moody, and have always needed my own space.

Mostly, I want to reiterate the notion that life could be taken from you, in the blink of an eye. Perhaps not even absolute death, no, imagine losing your faculties via illness or injury. Thus, it is imperative that you find enjoyment wherever you can. Life is never constant. We change, as does the world around us. The whole universe is moving at unimaginable speeds. Don't waste your life with petulant pity and oh woe is me. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Today, Saturday 15, I am excited by the sun being high. I have to go and buy a new printer, which will mean spending and people. I will enjoy the change in routine, perhaps a passing conversation. The dog and I, will enjoy an afternoon walk. But what really excites me, and yes, you can judge me for this; end of my duties, putting on some comfy slippers, watching tv, and knowing that I survived another day.

 

[CenotaphGirl]

I can't wait to be a mum, and experience the amazement and wonder with my little ones!

Idk, thinking and dreaming of that, gives me so much hope.

 

[Eternitydreamer]

That’s the exact same story for me…. Once I reached teen years or perhaps late teens suddenly nothing is thar Childlike wonder anymore. I tried watching a movie I liked as a kid and others but as an adult all I can do is notice familiar voice actors, animation, goofs and how awful the film is.
life was fun, I could go to a playground and that was fun, visiting this was fun. Then it goes.…

 

[constant stranger]

Childhood, youth and their games and new excitements fall away from our lives like petals from a withering flower. It's part of our life's process and there's a quality of regret and sadness to see what had been so good lose its charm. Trying to hang on and keep reliving those scenarios is futile: not only can we not recapture the old excitement but we hinder moving on to the next phase of our life.
And I think that's really an important point. We're on a journey and the only permanent aspect of the journey is that every phase of it is probably transient, so if we've lived an exciting chapter in it.....gaming, school friends, whatever..... be grateful you had that, learn and remember what lessons you learned, cherish the recollections, accept the sad part of its passing and prepare yourself for what's coming next. And if you've formed relationships that survive the changes, you've hit one of the jackpots in life....lucky you! That's a sweet, priceless gift, an enduring personal connection of some kind where both (or all) of you are still living in the ongoing present but can share with one another the fond memories.

I think a big takeaway in this dialog is let's try and find some meaningful purpose for being on this life journey.
Imagine being at the end of your life, knowing it's about to be game over..........let's have more satisfactions from what we did with the time we had than regrets.

 

[Trevor]

At 47yo I miss the enthusiasm I had for various things when I was a kid. I still play video games, but I don't get as excited over them as I did as a child.