the biggest reason for my sadness and depression is that i keep on caring. i need to be able to let things wash over me and stop giving a fuck. but i keep on caring and thinking about everything and everyone. how do i let go of that last fuck i give. and stop caring
You have to unconditionally love yourself, and unconditionally accept all that happens in your life. It wasn't easy for me at first and is something unfortunately so few people do nowadays. But it basically boils down (at least for me) to a few things:
- Good things that happen in my life are good, bad things are 'interesting'. Both are necessary for a full and complete life, as you can't appreciate the good without the bad. I can accept everything that happens for that reason.
- I love myself, no matter what I do, I have value and bring something unique to the world, and I can forgive myself for mistakes I make. The fact that I am here, and so many other potential people never made it, is a special thing.
- I can survive on my own without the approval of other people, because only I can always love and be there for myself. Only I can give myself a consistent reason to exist. But, life is richer with other people in it, and if good people come into my life I will welcome them.
- It's good to have goals, and aspire for prestige or materialistic things, because that makes life interesting. But I do not solely depend on meeting my outside goals for happiness or survival.
Also, a big challenge for me was always thinking I was always at the center of attention, and that everyone was thinking about me. The truth is very few people think about you on a given day. It may not have seemed that way e.g., in school if you were bullied but it's absolutely true in the real world. And of those who do think about you, most of those people's opinions won't affect what you can do in life. If you internalize this it will help with your anxiety.
Also, one day you will be forgotten. Nobody alive will know you existed, just as we don't know any of the people that existed during early humanity, or if there was a world before us now. So no matter how bad things get, even if people do think of you badly, it will never last forever.
Wish you well. Lmk if you'd like to talk.