An Aspie's motivation in life

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Can it be any other than something intellectual? I.E. obsessions and interests.

Two questions:

* Are your interests and obsessions your motivation in life/Is that the part that keeps you away from nothingness/a meaningless life?

+ A bit harder:

* Can an Aspie's interests/obsessions be anything other than intellectual? If you like walking on mountains and in nature, do you appreciate the most the smell/way of being/atmosphere/vitality --- OR --- do you appreciate the thinking of How everything is/Identifying stuff around you/Pondering about everything/Looking at animals/Obsessing about Concrete, Particular Topics.

I would say that loving my husband and family motivates me more than my interests. It's a constant challenge to put myself aside and honor my loved ones rather than push them away.

Before I knew love, my only interest in life was to understand EVERYTHING... know everything... then, somehow my heart changed and my mind grew quieter in this pursuit. I realized that knowledge is fluid, you cannot ever with finality KNOW anything... it just slips away when you get close...

I happen to enjoy walking in nature quite a bit. I would like to think I take the time to notice everything around me but often I am lost in my thoughts or in searching for a blueberry bush or something else tangible to the environment-- like you said, identifying things like trees, plants, watching animals (very good one there, can do this for hours) and interacting with my husband or parents as those are the ones that would accompany me.

Nothingness and meaningless of life is just the absence of willful meaning, so to me, that's the blank canvas of reality and our consciousness/actions, etc. paint the picture, give life it's meaning. Beyond that, there is nothing else.

I don't know if I'm an Aspie or not but I identify with having special interests and obsessions.

My interests and obsessions inhabit my aspirations in life, but they don't give me much motivation. Even with them I still feel that life is meaningless unless I'm using my special interests to brighten other people's lives. Unto myself they seem to mean nothing. I felt motivated in life when two of my interests were integrated into my life with others, my spirituality and my creativity were wanted and useful to the world. Currently my motivation has increased because I am wanted, not just my interests and obsessions but everything. In essence, I don't find meaning/motivation alone in my own pursuits, life or even myself; they must have purpose to another.
If I find myself in a situation where none of my interests or obsessions are needed, I feel life is without meaning again. They give meaning to my life, but only in relationship with others.



I think I appreciate the non-intellectual aspects of walking most, I think enough, walking is enjoyable to me more while practicing zen, non-judgment, no-thought, just experiencing the world around me as it is. The way the sunlight breaks through the trees, the smell of flowers, contrast, the feel of the wind against my face, reflections in puddles, the sound of branches swaying and birds chirping, the fresh air, the open sky.

My ultimate motivations are to make a contribution to society that uses my specific set of strengths and to simply enjoy living, exploring and learning. Both of those involve a lot of intellectual activity and certainly tend to be built around my obsessions and interests, but in the end, as much as I sometimes hate people, I want to give something to the world (in my introverted way).

When I'm walking in the mountains (or similar) I both appreciate the simply sensory pleasures and enjoy thinking about the environment. It's not either/or, really. Noticing and appreciating the details tends to lead to some interesting streams of thought. I'll appreciate the shape of a tree and then find myself asking questions about the angles of the branches or so. Sometimes I end up thinking deeply about why I enjoy something...

Last edited by Nonperson on 25 Aug 2012, 1:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I can't seem to really find any motivation, when I do see a hint of motivation its usually a personal interest.

I have always lacked motivation, I'm 42 now & it's a problem, I feel.

When I go to bed at night, lie down and immediately my cat cuddles up to me and starts purring loudly in my ear, that's my motivation in life. Because a year ago she was a lonely, starving, cold, terrified, bitter, city street cat with no reason to live, let alone purr. Then when I wake up with both my cats' tushies pressing against my hips as they sleep soundly, I confirm my life's motivation. And this from someone as intellectual as they come. The day I stopped caring for humans I found happiness.