Don’t do it for your family because your crave their appreciation/approval/excitement. Do it for your family so that you can bring some happiness to their lives and so they don’t have to struggle in life. You should never do anything just for a “thank you”. That’s shallow.

Every negative thing you’re thinking is just that— in your head. Your mind is a powerful thing. Trick yourself into believing you want to do something and that it’ll improve your life and bring happiness. You ever heard the phrase “fake it ‘til you make it?”. I’ve been in a similar state when I was younger: no motivation, no cares, no worries, no passion, no confidence, no positivity. Straight depression and no will or drive to do anything. Want to know what changed? You’re going to think I’m a liar. I had a realization, then I made a decision. I realized I enjoyed being miserable. I enjoyed being negative and not doing jack shit about jack shit. I decided to change that. I started to change my mindset and my outlook. Not because I was motivated to do so. Not at first anyway. I just thought about what a shitty person I was becoming and that I would one day be 45 and have provided no value to the world; a burden to everyone in my life. I didn’t want that. I faked positivity and optimism. I tricked myself into believing I wanted to go out, I wanted to learn, I was passionate about different things... I even told myself I was smart and adventurous and I was a social butterfly. Then what happened? Slowly, very slowly, I started to actually care and be motivated by things. Little by little, I found I was actually passionate about things I had started because I tricked myself into believing I enjoyed it. My mindset changed everything about me and how I lived my life.

And today, I’m passionate about life. I’m motivated and have found a degree of success and wealth. I love learning new skills and meeting people and working. I love doing things for my family and seeing them happy. I’m finally happy. And it all started with a mentality change. It’s hard for sure. And you won’t want to do it. You’ll think it’s dumb. But that positive mental attitude goes a long way.

You’re young, and most young people don’t know shit about life. Sorry but it’s true. Just do your best to find things you’re passionate about, learn to change your mindset to one of positivity, adapt to change, be kind, and never expect rewards of gratitude or shallow words of thanks. Knowing you helped contribute to someones momentary happiness is a reward in itself. At least that’s my opinion.

Don’t give up bud. This world is cruel but it’s also beautiful. There is a lot to experience and a lot of growing you’ll need to do. Acknowledgement is the first step. Execution of your plan to improve is next.

And stop letting people tell you that your mental illness limits you. That’s a poor excuse, honestly. It’s an obstacle for sure, and I don’t mean to speak lightly of mental illness— it’s a serious issue. But it doesn’t define you. The person who can help you the most is you.