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Special Interests and Losing Interest in Them

Mr T

I have been thinking a lot about special interests lately.

I guess my special interest is my field of work. All I ever wanted to do since high school. After university and work, including two higher degrees I seem to have lost the 'special' part of my interest.

After obtaining a doctorate a few years ago I lost interest in studying. My knowledge of my subject matter is there but my brain cannot be bothered in studying further.

Is this because subconsciously somewhere in my autistic brain I have decided that enough is enough for this interest. It is like a switch was turned off. I used to live my subject nearly 24/7 but after the doctorate I did not have the energy to continue. I used to think it was because of the amount of work and study I did that I was knackered but now years later I have lost interest.

The question for folks on here is:

Have others felt the same way about one or more if their interests? Will I recover this interest or is it gone for good.

Maybe just maybe I have been in burnout since the doctorate was completed.

Parents

  • I have experience of interests switching off for what I can see to be no reason. These are hobby based rather than related to an area of work.  Its becoming apparent that burnout has affected my focus and attention far more than I have realised. These days I follow what my brain wants to do regarding hobby based interests whether this lasts a few hours or more substantial length of time. The problem I have is that often it feels like stuff or activities have no meaning so what's the point. But I'm not depressed! I keep wondering I'd like to do a job or do further study which relates to long standing interests but the fact I cannot pin my attention down long enough means I know I won't stick with it. You're very lucky to have had your area of work as your interest. The other thing is - that thing your brain can latch onto is something which provides certainty, regulation,  stimulation and without this one can feel very much at sea. There are times when nothing at all will do it for me, but I'll be scrabbling around for anything that the mind-tendrils can grab onto, sometimes without success.

  • in reply to Deleted User

    This makes a lot of sense to me.

    With hobbies, I've started to realise that some things I do I'm "forcing" myself to do, rather than doing the solely out of enjoyment. I'll realise I have a spare hour and then look at my "hobbies" and say to myself "tou should do that" , rather than think "I fancy doing that for an hour".

    It's almost like because I have something as a hobby I feel I  "should" do it when I get time or opportunity.

    Im trying to stop and think about why I'm doing something, then if it's not needed and it's not for enjoyment, I'll not do it.

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  • in reply to Deleted User

    This makes a lot of sense to me.

    With hobbies, I've started to realise that some things I do I'm "forcing" myself to do, rather than doing the solely out of enjoyment. I'll realise I have a spare hour and then look at my "hobbies" and say to myself "tou should do that" , rather than think "I fancy doing that for an hour".

    It's almost like because I have something as a hobby I feel I  "should" do it when I get time or opportunity.

    Im trying to stop and think about why I'm doing something, then if it's not needed and it's not for enjoyment, I'll not do it.

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