Previously I wrote on the idea that hope and fear were two sides of the same coin. As the blog indicated, it was inspired by a quote by Seneca. Hopes and fears are simply expectations. The former of something 'good' happening and the latter of something 'bad' happening. However, there could be a third side of the coin and that is the expectation that 'nothing' is going to happen. It isn't a general acceptance of there being no hope or fear, it is the expectation that hopes will not happen and leads to a mood particular to itself. It could be the feeling that things are 'pointless' and there are no reasons to carry on with life. This could vary from mild boredom to full-blown depression. In the milder stages, it could be an incentive to do something with yourself or others to improve on life and generate some 'hope' to it. One may go on a dating site for quick sex, or have a beer, a cigarette or a joint to cope with the feelings. In the deeper stages it could present as anhedonia, where no pleasure can be attained from anything, then progressing to immobility and deep depression.
Maybe physiological low affective states could kick in this mechanism which is imposed on our thinking, in such conditions as bipolar disorder. The person could then be paralysed by a lack of motivation to do anything. Maybe there is an evolutionary aspect to this that people will save energy when there is not a lot to get on with in life?
So extrapolating from the previous blog, can one deal with this by just letting go of the expectation of nothingness or purposelessness and just get on with day-to-day life? Well, in milder forms it is possible but for deep states of depression to think this is a solution is unproven and dangerous and I would not suggest that such a mindset could help. Depression can not be reduced to something so simplistic.
So how would one go about becoming 'free of the three expectations'?
A degree of mindfulness is required and the capture of 'automatic thinking' as in cognitive behavioural psychology and also combine it with other forms of therapy to make the following protocol and formulate it with AI (Claude):
Thought Awareness:
Throughout your day, pay attention to your thoughts, especially those related to the future.
When you catch yourself having a thought about a future fear, hope, or a sense of meaninglessness, pause and acknowledge it.
Write down these thoughts in a journal, noting the date, time, and the specific content of the thought.
Thought Evaluation:
For each recorded thought, ask yourself the following questions:
Is this a small or large fear/hope? How significant is the outcome I'm imagining?
How likely is this scenario to actually occur? Am I overestimating the probability?
Is this thought about nothingness or purposelessness based on facts or feelings?
Assign a rating to the thought's magnitude (1-10) and probability (1-100%).
Thought Challenging:
For small fears/hopes and thoughts of meaninglessness, question their usefulness:
Is dwelling on this thought serving me or just causing unnecessary distress?
What evidence do I have that this fear/hope is realistic? Is it worth my energy?
Have I felt a lack of purpose before and found meaning again?
Look for alternative, more balanced perspectives on the situation.
Present Refocusing:
When you notice your mind pulled to the future, gently redirect your attention to the present.
Use your senses to ground yourself in the current moment - what do you see, hear, feel?
Reflect on your values - what matters to you in life? What gives you a sense of meaning?
Identify small actions you can take right now that align with your values.
Acceptance and Commitment:
Acknowledge that the future is inherently uncertain and not fully under your control.
Accept that occasional feelings of fear, hopelessness, or purposelessness are part of the human condition.
Reaffirm your commitment to living a meaningful life despite these feelings.
Set intentions and take actions based on your values rather than trying to eliminate uncomfortable thoughts.
Self-Compassion and Support:
Treat yourself with kindness and understanding as you navigate these challenging thoughts.
Remind yourself that you're not alone in grappling with fears, hopes, and existential questions.
Reach out for support from loved ones, a therapist, or a support group as needed.
This blog has been about looking at other takes on therapy which could have possible uses and 'No Hopes, No Fears, No Nothing' could be a useful way forward for people suffering from different forms of distress.