How Did I Get So Jaded? Start Your Journey Back to Peace & Tranquility 

These days, it feels like the weight of the world is on our shoulders.

While many of us start out with a heart full of hope, put simply, the world can rear its ugly head—leading us into a spiral of cynicism and bitterness. And most of us don’t even notice we’re veering that way, at least not at first.

It starts subtly. Our joy for life begins to dim. We feel tired by the negativity in the world, perhaps even bored or entirely disinterested. Unfortunately, some people go through life without the awareness that they’ve become jaded.

But if you’re reading this article, chances are you’re starting to think you’ve become a little bit jaded—and you want to do something about it.

So, why are you feeling jaded?

Often, it's about first recognizing the signs – the small, everyday indications that our outlook on life might be veering toward the negative.

So, let’s explore why this is happening and how you can change course. Keep reading if you’re ready to view life from a renewed standpoint and a fresh perspective. How can you find peace in an ever-chaotic world?

What Does It Mean to Be Jaded?

Perhaps the most common example of a jaded person is the one who turns their nose up at love. They’ve had too much heartbreak, too many letdowns… It’s exhausting.

Being jaded often means we’re sick of something (maybe even numbed to it) after one time too many. In today’s turbulent dating world, this is an all-too-common occurrence.

In other words, becoming jaded is often a result of our life experiences (more on this in a second). We start to believe we’re the victims and that no matter what we do, this is the way it is. So, we lose interest, inevitably. But how do you know you’ve become jaded? Here are a few tell-tale signs.

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6 Signs You're Jaded

1. You don’t recall the last time you felt excited. 

Nothing is colorful anymore. It’s all black and grey. Excitement—well, that’s hard to muster. What’s the point? If you feel this way, you might have caught a bit of jadedness on some facet of life.

2. You use food, alcohol, or drugs to elevate your mood.

Now, this doesn’t have to be to the extreme.

But if you’re feeling life is a little “meh” and things like social gatherings aren’t exciting without an added touch of food, alcohol, or drugs, this could mean you’re feeling that jadedness. Perhaps you’re searching for that excitement. Careful here though; this can lead down a slippery slope.

3. Your go-to phrase is: “Whatever!”

As we all may know, the jaded and can’t-be-bothered teenager can use this phrase a lot. But so can those who are jaded. When we’re jaded, we care a little less (maybe even a lot less). Our enthusiasm dims and we simply don’t really care all that much about the decision or outcome.

4. You find yourself “zoning out.”

Even when you’re friend is telling a story with undeniable enthusiasm, you’ve missed parts of it or have no clue what’s going on. You may create an illusion of sorts to demonstrate that you’re listening, when, in fact, you aren’t. Sound familiar?

5. You’re unsure what the future holds.

Your career. Your love life. It feels bleak.

And, again, you might just not care. You could even feel stuck in certain areas of your life. If this hits a nerve, you might be a little jaded.

6. You get mad at people easily and judge them.

You might even freak out over small things that usually wouldn’t be a problem.

But picture this: You’re getting on public transport, and you don’t smile at anyone; instead, you judge. You’re judging the lady with her fur hat. You think, how dare this mother allow her child to bounce around. This is a clear sign you are a little jaded when it comes to the world!

But luckily, there’s a way to fix it. First, let’s rewind for a quick second.

What Causes Someone to Become Jaded?

A few things can lead to being jaded. These include:

• Repeated Disappointments: One of the primary reasons people become jaded is experiencing repeated letdowns or failures, such as the tale of heartbreak. When hopes and expectations are consistently unmet, it can lead to a sense of disillusionment and a belief that positive outcomes are unlikely.
• Prolonged Stress and Burnout: Continuous exposure to stressful situations, whether in personal life, relationships, or work, can lead to burnout. This state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion can foster a jaded outlook, as individuals may feel drained and lose interest in previously enjoyable activities.
• Unresolved Trauma or Grief: Traumatic events or unresolved grief can deeply impact one's view of the world. The pain and shock of these experiences can alter one's perspective, leading to a more cynical and guarded outlook on life.
• Aging and Life Transitions: As people age and go through various life stages, the realization that some dreams may not be realized or that life isn’t turning out as planned can lead to a sense of jadedness. This is often a reflection of adjusting expectations to align with reality.
• Feeling Misunderstood or Unappreciated: Consistently feeling misunderstood, undervalued, or unappreciated, especially in personal relationships or the workplace, can also contribute to a jaded perspective.

Related Article: How Childhood Trauma Affects You As An Adult & How to Seek Help

How Do I Stop Being So Jaded?

Here’s the thing: You can turn this jadedness thang around.

It’s never too late to get back behind the wheel of your life (and emotions) and make impactful and positive changes.

• So, how can you do that?
• What can you do to let go of the bitterness that feels all-consuming?

1. Acknowledge your feelings.

The first step in changing your outlook is to acknowledge that you feel jaded. Understanding and accepting your feelings as valid is crucial for moving forward. And it’s okay. I repeat: It’s okay to feel this way! There’s no shame in feeling negative.

More so, it’s what we do after recognizing how we feel that matters the most.

2. Reflect on the causes.

Journal. Do some self-exploring. Try to understand yourself. Basically, spend time reflecting on what has led you to this point. Identifying specific experiences or patterns that contributed to your jadedness can provide insights into what needs to change.

3. Seek new perspectives.

Challenge your current mindset by exposing yourself to new perspectives and ideas. This could be through reading, traveling, meeting new people, or engaging in new experiences.

4. Practice gratitude.

Ooof, this can be tough at first, especially when you’re in the midst of feeling jaded. Yet, cultivating a habit of gratitude can shift your focus from what’s going wrong to what’s going right.

Keeping a gratitude journal or simply taking time each day to reflect on things you’re thankful for can be helpful. It can even help you appreciate yourself and how you care for YOU! 

5. Set realistic expectations.

When our expectations don’t match reality, jadedness and resentment is easy to come by. The simple fix? Adjust your expectations to be more realistic and attainable. 

This doesn’t mean lowering your standards, but rather understanding and accepting that setbacks and disappointments are part of life. Focus on what you can control here; this will help you pave the way forward.

6. Mindfulness and meditation.

Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help you stay grounded in the present moment, reducing the tendency to dwell on past disappointments or future worries. It can also help you find the small bits of joy that you might be missing in your day-to-day.

Even small acknowledgments of joy and positivity in your life can help you practice not feeling jaded. It can remind us that not everything sucks and that there is a lot of excitement and possibility in the world.

7. Give back.

Volunteering or helping others can provide a sense of purpose and satisfaction, countering feelings of jadedness.

It can also help in gaining a new perspective on your own life, especially when striving to view life from other lenses. It can help us realize that it isn’t so bad and that there are heaps we can be grateful and joyful about.

8. Move your body.

We all know that regular physical activity can improve mood and reduce stress. Even on days we “just don’t feel like it,” getting out for a walk or doing a short workout can enhance our mood and, in turn, amp up those positive feelings and perspectives. As a result, we might feel a little less jaded.

9. Limit your exposure to negativity.

It’s easy to get sucked into an hour (or two) of scrolling. Trust me, we’ve all been there. But being mindful of what you’re consuming and how much can help improve your outlook on life. 

For example, tracking your time on news apps or social media apps can be really confronting. It can show you how much time and energy you’ve invested into potentially negative outlets. (And yes, every phone can show this somewhere in the settings!) 

From there, try restricting your app usage. For instance, you can set timers in your phone that actually boot you out of these apps when time is up. Once you create space from the negative, you can make room for more positive energy (and less jadedness!).

Related Article: 6 Common Types of Denial - How You Can Identify & Deal With Them

10. Seek out professional help.

If your feelings of jadedness are overwhelming or persistent, it might be helpful to talk to a mental health professional.

Therapy can provide a space to explore your feelings in depth and develop coping strategies. There’s absolutely zero shame in seeking out help; after all, we all need it at some point in our lives.

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Rekindle Joy: Finding a Life Beyond Jadedness

Pave your way toward inner peace. Learn to let go of the negative thoughts and what doesn’t serve you. Rediscover vibrancy and an insatiable zest for life! While it might not feel possible right now, it will get easier the more you put one step in front of the other. 

And the road to rediscovering joy and tranquility might be gradual, but it is filled with potential for growth and deeper understanding. As you close this chapter, know that each step you take is a move towards a brighter, more vibrant outlook on life.

Read Next: Your Happiness Level: 5 Ways You Can Supercharge It

Photo by cottonbro studio