Why don’t I enjoy every day pleasures? Anhedonia

My life spiralled into a complete mess from an early age. I struggled with:
-Ever increasing fatigue and muscular pain
-severe anxiety and depression
-brainfog
-developed autoimmune disease
-in a toxic environment and relationship
-addictions to instant gratification (Video games, porn, TV shows)
-got to nearly 16 stone and looked dreadful. I could not even recognise my self.
-demolished self worth and self esteem
-body dysmorphia
the list was endless... my future looked bleak. At rock bottom I prayed to God as I had nothing left. I prayed for guidance and an opportunity to turn this around and it was given to me. From that day forward i dedicated myself to health and spreading the word on the truth. I'm incredibly passionate about health, mental health, relationship health... everything that allows us to live a happier life.

I thank you so much for watching my videos and spreading the word. It means a lot to me. I love hearing your recovery stories and how I've helped! :) Accept that you are ill. Do not accept that you can't recover.

My name is James and I struggled for most of my life with ill health(Adrenal fatigue, fibromyalgia, glandular fever, chronic fatigue syndrome). From 2007 until 2015 I rarely left my house due to my symptoms being unbearable. Severe anxiety, muscle pains, chronic fatigue, POTS, stomach issues, acne, suicidal depression, brainfog, weakness, eczema... the list continued to grow every year.

I had no hope and no answers and things just kept getting worse. It took me years to finally understand what it takes to achieve good vibrant health and I'm here to make sure you avoid wasting as many years as I did!

If you would like to donate to my channel you can do so here:

With any donation you can email me with any questions you have :)

[silveraine]

Totally agree James. I successfully did cut out everything for a period (2 months was having too hard crash for anything) and I got my "life" back. My feelings towards small things. But eventually I got bored since I'm bed bound/housebound and I needed something to be occupied with so I decided to play video games for 1 hour a day. I did this for a while, and eventually I got addicted again on that "drug".

I'm trying to get back into the rythm again now and it's been two weeks without high stimuli. But it's hard, and it takes time to adjust the mind to "normal everyday life" instead of all these technologies we have in this day and age.

[CFSWarrior]

I agree. I just cannot enjoy things anymore. None of my old hobbies come as a joy to me anymore. Some of it is health related but some is not.
I’ve finally taken reading back up. There’s nothing quite like reading a good book with a cup of tea.

[kathystoner]

I totally agree, James! You are so right, I dont hear people talking about this at all. I think it really needs to be talked about. I know I really needed this video as I've been on my phone too much lately. I know I feel better when I'm off of it. I've missed your videos! I hope all is going well with you!

[deilen]

100% agree, I used to game extensively as escapism but eventually realised that was the only thing I felt happy doing and I didn't get any joy from anything else in my life. Cutting that out helped and it's been a few years now, although I occasionally miss it I don't trust myself to be able to hold back so I'm avoiding it still. I've realised my phone is the same though, I highly recommend setting time limits on your apps and using the greyscale filter to reduce how stimulating it is. The timers keep me focus and using things mindfully as opposed to endless scrolling etc.

[Anonymouserednoise]

One word. fibromyalgia it makes life’s miserable and enjoying the small things is hard. Really hard

[mandm]

💗 your videos James, thank you! For other video ideas I’d be so grateful for: What your daily routine looked like step-by-step, How you made your water kefir, and how you fought loneliness, and feeling like you have no purpose. Also feeling like a failure. Thanks again for all that you do. Good vibes ✨

[releasecfs]

I like how temperate you are with your statements and opinions.

[mashandboo]

I love your videos! Also enjoy that you tape them while you're outdoors. Great topic. Thanks for your continued help James xx

[ianheadfullofuniverse]

Yep, bang on, dopamine is induced by technology through a 'seek and find' pathway, serotonin is induced by a 'caught and possess' pathway. M.E. runs very high dopamine reactions and very low serotonin, the psychology of appreciation of the small things is a serotonin activator. This is also why depression is often a side effect of the condition and also how people can be depressed with no obvious conscious reason.

[michael-jamesr]

Hey just found your channel through the roar within 😃. Everything you said makes so much sense! I struggle everyday trying to enjoy the small things in life and you've just told me the answer! We definitely have too much over whelming our brains everyday that there's no room to enjoy the simple things. Thanks so much for this video and love the rest of your content!! Would love to see a video on how you try to keep a positive motivated mind set each day, that's something I struggle with most days too👍😃

[jirihutecka]

Btw listening loud music is also in this "stimulants" category.

[littlesherm]

Thank you very much! Well said! I've been practicing mindfulness which has brought me to the same ideas!

[vincesza]

I really like this view on it. It makes sense.

[anamjawaid]

3 doctors considering me ect none of medicine is working for me for 2 year my depression is getting worst day by day I'm emotionally numbed I can't sleep I can't eat anything and I can't get out of the bed what can I do

[janetfairhurst]

i now love a good sun rise and sun set if its not past my bed time lol

[philipetternavn]

happy to hear your back working, what kind of work do you do? :)

[tiffany]

If you use your phone less and other stimulants is it possible to regain what you’ve lost? My adrenal fatigue/chronic fatigue has been so bad I don’t feel most emotions

[Mawopg]

Where is this youre walking mate? Looks beautiful! Its definitely not Essex 😂

[Haariibo]

As i feel social anhedonia and have had it for a Long time, should i force myself to be with people or should i after improving my health fatigue anxiety etc? (I believe Its pmo induced though but i dont know)

[Mohammed-qyni]

I’ve been feeling dead inside for 9 years now. Nothing makes me happy. It’s like I have no emotions. I even tried nofap. Antidepressants antipsychotics. Nothing helped. So I turned to drugs. I searched on the internet and I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s trait anhedonia. Is this permanent???? I feel soulless. I always have to fake my emotions!