(HELPP ME PLS!!)Has anyone else felt like they completely lost their edge?
I’m putting this out there in case anyone else is trapped in the same cycle. I’m 22 years old, currently unemployed, and doing my coaching right now. I’m trying so hard to get back on my feet, but lately, I’ve felt like a shadow of the guy I used to be.
**The Situation:** I used to be sharp, confident, and good at my studies. But, it feels like my brain has built a concrete shield around itself. I’ve been completely spaced out. When I try to talk to people or hang out with my roommates, my mind just goes blank. I get hyper-self-aware to the point where I’m analyzing my own awkwardness in real-time, which only makes me more frustrated and angry at myself like what am i doing.
**The Background:** I grew up in a house where my parents were constantly fighting. I carry a lot of trauma from that environment, recently lost many people closed people in my life(either they died,ex left or best friend are no longer the same)their is a reason why i am telling u this because now i fear losing people to much and I thought moving out would be my fresh start to finally build the life I want. But recently, a situation with a girl in my circle became the catalyst that completely threw my brain into overdrive.
**The Girl Situation:(this was not my first relationship btw)**I just want to love her she was the perfect match for me we both started casual relationship it’s was the best moment lasted for 3 months after then she suddenly back of from everything she has done some work on her self psychologically she is kinda highly self aware **Hyper-Independence** and **Dismissive-Avoidant tendencies,**I just wanted to be a good friend to her. I wanted to be the guy who could joke around, say whatever came to mind, make her laugh, and just make her feel comfortable. Instead, I completely got in my own head. I started overthinking every single interaction, agonizing over what to say and how to act.
It got to the point where I couldn't even act normal. I started getting incredibly jealous whenever she would talk to other people. I found myself doing stupid, awkward things that I didn't even want to do, instead of just being a natural, confident guy. I hated how I was acting, but I couldn't stop. That entire dynamic broke me down and triggered a massive wave of hyper-self-awareness.
**The Fallout:** Ever since that situation, it’s like a switch flipped in my head, and my brain built a concrete shield around itself to block everything out. I feel like a shadow of the sharp guy I used to be. I’ve been completely spaced out. When I try to hang out with my flatmates or talk to anyone, my mind goes blank. I analyze my own awkwardness in real-time, which only makes me more frustrated and angry at myself.
My focus is totally shot—I’ll sit down to study and get stuck staring for way too long. The fear of staying stuck like this and just being an "average" guy is suffocating. Start altering my personality i am struggling constantly fight with myself these days i know i can achieve my goal but time is running out and i am slowly and slowly breaking down **Please HELPPPPPPPPPPPPP**
Posted Jun 26, 2026, 8:58 PM UTC