Dear Ginn,

Wanting to help your parents enjoy their life is a worthwhile goal! The best way to do that is not to forsake yours though. I have no doubt that your dad loves you. Even if you did live your life different than his expectations he still would love you.

Breaking out of a tower moment is hard to do quickly, to be honest, it will take a while. Small goals are better at the beginning than large ones. My suggestion is to figure out the monetary side first if you figure out how much you need to live and have time to spend on passion while helping your parents.

If your goal is to help them retire then how can you help? Is there anything you actually can do to help with bills? Do they talk about going on vacation anywhere?  My suggestion is to talk to them about retirement and how you can help.

I know that parents can be uncomfortable talking about such things and can make statements of  “it would help if you had a stable career so we don’t worry etc.” but talking can help bring understanding.

I would also write down five things you would love to do.

For example, my goals involve.

1. Taking the JLPT exam in December

2. Going on Vacation to Japan

3. Having My Own Apartment.

4. Sewing a Complete Wardrobe

5. Owning my own Business

I also have monetary goals too. but you get the idea.

Ginn it’s understandable that in hard times to forget what brought us joy when times were well. Understanding that we once felt joy doesn’t have the same effect as feeling joy in creating or living life fully. I am first off sorry that you feel like your friends and family are tired of hearing about your troubles. If it helps any from a complete strangers point of view I believe they still care for you. It’s just hard sometimes for loved ones to see the ones they care for struggling with problems they are unable to help prevent or solve for them.
From my own relationship with friends and family I know that sometimes they want to help but they just can’t understand why I am struggling with this situation when the answer is clear to them.

I apologize for the lack of insight in how to fix this issue. Its one I have struggled with for years myself.  According to my family I just need to be content with mundane living and not look for passion.
I want to feel something more than listless boredom while working at my job and to have both my mind and spirit impassioned with the work I do. Instead I feel bored and lacking something powerful. I end up quitting and looking for something new to feel needed.  I truly am the worst to tell you how it can be fixed.

Its good that you have tried so many things to see if they are what you want to do in life.

You said that when you try out new passions they fade out of interest in a weeks time. What would you say is the most common cause of your weakening interest? Boredom or is it more of looking for passion from a logical perspective and money wise way?  That for me is my number one cause ironically.

It good that you had someone to talk to in the past about these things.  Although the fact it was too expensive and hardly helped isn’t good!

Sorry if this doesn’t help. I’ll be a ear for you though.

Donna