As you've grown older-have you become more cynical?

Question

I'm only 17 and already I have the mind of a 65 year old when it comes to life in general. I'm pretty jaded towards it and each year I grow up I'm just futher disgusted by the injustices of the world and the materialistic nature of so many humans.

I mean, I remember when I was younger and everything seemed so bright and fresh. I was so excited to explore but now I've been sort of frustrated with the quality of life we lead here. Whats wrong with me? Does anyone feel this way?

Answer 1

yeah i deffinitly feel the same, i am 19 and i am very disapointed with how shallow and pointless everything seems. I think its because when you get older you have to take control and have responsibilies but when you are a child you have an active imagination and do not have to do the mundane things that are responsibilies

Answer 2

Cynical is the name given to the adult persona of considerate people.  We all start out meaning well, but it really is like flogging a dead horse.  So many obstacles are placed in the way of progress; society itself is a massive obstacle restricting the route of human development.  How can a few people being extremely wealthy, while billions suffer genuine hardship be considered just.  One day you may even wake up to the fact that all this badness pours straight out of the TV set.  Every film from the US today shows nothing more than Americans killing each other, foreigners or aliens while endlessly presenting themselves as the victims.  NOTHING could be further from the truth; you may even become aware of that fact one day.  I doubt very much that you'll be prepared for the scale of the deception that you discover though.

Reading some of your other Answers, it appears that some people really can turn themselves off to injustice.  That fact pains me.

Answer 3

I feel the exact same way.

The only way I curb my cynical inner dialogue is by not taking anything too seriously, and trying to find humor in life's mundane routines.

Answer 4

I um... tend to be in something like a daze as far as the world at large is concerned.  So, no, I, at least, don't feel that way.  I'm generally fairly happy, actually.  

There are a lot of bad things in the world though.  Maybe you're one of those who will help us overcome them, rather than sitting on our lazy butts and ignoring the problems in the world.

Then again, you could be depressed.  A mental health professional has already suggested it (don't remember name...), so I think you should at least check on that.

Answer 5

You sound really sad :[ Try getting into the things you love again.

Answer 6

Yes, especially towards teens. I hate those inconsiderate, self centered b******s.

Answer 7

I guess I have, because I'm kind of in agreement with Inca above. You have more good reason to be disgusted than you probably know yet.

I think the frustration and disgust you describe are part of the self-protection of a good person, as your dis-illusionment increases, not quite the kind of cynicism you will develop as you get older and tired of the struggle against it. Your cynicism contains disappointment and an attempt to still reject what you've found the world to be like, as you've grown more discerning. As you get older, and try to understand what the heck is wrong, your cynicism changes, you let go of the frustration and you start to just accept that things suck. Just matter of fact, without any pain, what a lot of sham and drudgery it is, tra la la, wink nudge, let's drink and be merry. That's what I think of as the later stages of cynicism.

The consolation is just that the big picture is so big, we can't see it from here. Our lives are so incredibly tiny, in the context of the universe, or even of human history. By and large in my experience, if you measure fairly, there's good equal to the bad, and I often wonder if that's true on a much larger scale too.

Answer 8

As you grow older, you do become more jaded but even I am not as jaded as you describe. It sounds like you may be clinically depressed-which darkens your outlook on life and other things considerably. You really should see a professional. good luck!

Answer 9

No. I find I am more positive and see all the opportunities better.  As I get older I appreciate life more and realize its great value, significance and blessings.  I am happy to be a part of the human race.  It is a wonderful adventure.  Most people are about as happy as the choose to be.  Instead of dwelling on the bad, be proactive in changing your world.  It starts with one person.

Answer 10

Actually, I have found the opposite to be true. As I continue to age, I find that I have developed a greater apreciation for many aspects of life. This is not because of some inherent blindness to the injustices of this world, but rather it is because I can recognize that these things are not as widespread as they might seem. When you obsess about the darkness on this Earth, it is impossible to see its boundaries. But if you take a step back and notice nice things (not anything grand per se, it could be an interesting animal in a park, or even something intangible like the silence and comfort in your own room), the things which you are cynical about will seem much less ever-present.

There are so many bad things that you can focus on, but so too are there beautiful and awe-inspiring things. The key is to recognize both; don't ignore humanity's problems, but don't let those obscure your entire world-view.

So I would suggest making a conscious effort to notice and expose yourself to things that maker you happy. Life is all about balance, if you let youself become too cynical (or too innocent), you'll never survive.

Answer 11

When I was I child I had need of childish things, but they are no longer useful for I am no longer a child.

Answer 12

Being jaded seems more like a teenage than an adult quality.  See, eg, everything ever written about teenagers, and also do a google search for "teen angst".

I think you're right that people are often idealistic as they enter their teenage years, and that fades.  Puberty is usually to blame.

Don't worry - sometime in your 20s, this'll all end and you'll become an adult.  And, like most adults, you'll say "I was too idealistic at one point, and then I was too cynical at another point in my life".  And then you'll finally be a mature individual and have the rest of your life to lead without a mind clouded by either idealism or cynicism.