Lost: joie de vivre

You need a BIG change in your life. And if you don't make it now, you'll stay stuck. And by big, I mean life altering.

You might need to move. You definitely need a different job. And if you're not partnered, you better start kissing some frogs cause if you wait any longer, they ain't gonna wanna kiss back.

Find something physical to engage in as well. Either a sport or the gym or a hiking club. Something that will get you in the best shape of your life.

Don't delay. Get on it today. No excuses.

The threat from AI is vastly overrated.

You need to find some spirituality.

Life is depressing right now. But you could consider whether the root of your depression is in your situation or you might benefit from some help. The idea that you have no real attachment to life sounds a bit like clinical depression, but I'm no expert.

If it's not the case, do what you can to improve your health. Reassess your life goals. Consider another branch of your profession or train in something completely different. I think contentment comes when you have hope and a purpose.

OP, I’ve been there. Can you do something new every week or two? Try a new restaurant, take a walk through a different part of town. Your brain is probably just bored with the day to day hum drum. If you can afford something like a couple of new pieces of clothing so you are feeling your best that can help too.

I find that for my hetero friends with children, their kids’ milestones and activities create their own distraction from getting older and essentially being in the same place year after year, which most of us are. Without that (was never a guy who wanted kids, will never regret not having them) we need to find our own path in middle life that makes us happy. Also, assuming you don’t have kids, rejoice in the fact you’ll never have that financial drain, not get the unexpected shock of a teenage pregnancy, your kid dropping out of college to travel the country in a van, etc.

Undertake projects and activities which are physical and mainly involve your senses (sight, touch, and so on): Gym, gardening, sight-seeing, photography, woodworking, dance/dance classes, museums, some sort of collecting, and so on. Paradoxically, the everyday joys and accomplishments which these provide are beyond the reach of the kind of everyday concerns which are dragging you down.

Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone.

I’m not in precisely the same circumstances, OP, but I feel much like you do and what I’m doing is waiting to feel better.

I’m nowhere near being ready to make a brisk task list for myself and get right on with making massive changes. I have to note little tiny positives — I have no dirty dishes in the sink — and use my remaining energy to get through the days.

So “This Too Shall Pass” is all I can offer you. And I sure hope it’s true.

R6 Everyone must sleep alone.

OP,

Try transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

I found it helpful.

Have you tried drugs?

Take a break from the internet and social media (incl. DL) where you're constantly bombarded with negativity.

Spend all that extra time doing things you enjoy. Make sure you are getting enough exercise, sleep, fresh air and sunlight.

If doing that for six weeks doesn't help, see a doctor about going on an antidepressant.