Do You Ever Find Yourself Unable to Listen To Your System?


I was unsure how to pose this question.

I don't mean in a any technical capacity, as in, your system for some reason is not sounding good and therefore you can't stand to listen to it or some component is not functioning correctly.

I mean in the sense that your having some issues in life perhaps that is affecting you emotionally or mentally and you are unable to enjoy your system.

For me there is some personal issues that has been affecting me and my family for the past couple of years and there are times I just am not able to sit down and enjoy the rig.

For the past month I have been unable to bring myself to listen to anything. Heck, even hardly been on this forum.

I know different people deal with issue's in different ways. Some might completely immerse themselves in their system to forget about the world for a little bit.

I mean that would make sense. Music is not just enjoyable but therapeutic. 

I should actually be using my system even more in these type of times but I usually just seem to lose interest in things I like when I am a bit mentally disturbed due to some issue going on.

So I am just curious, do you any of completely turn away from your system or the opposite, immerse yourself even more?

Thnx

Jay
128x128jay73
Yes. It happens usually when I over change my settings to get "better" sound and then I get a burn out and everything sounds bad. Hasn't happened recently though.
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@tablejockey

EVERYONE on this planet is trying to find balance.

clearly not everyone... just look around at our world

i wish you were right...

***********************************************************************

op

i hope you find peace and solace in your current situation, some times life gets to be very very challenging, music is one of many ways to calm and soothe our frazzled nerves

please talk to loved ones or counselors - formal or informal ones - and figure out other ways if music isn't doing it for you right now

best of luck
Sometimes you have to force yourself to get back in there.  Force yourself to put some music on some night soon.  Face whatever comes up for you sitting in that listening seat…
@wlutke    +1

Caffeine is a sleep-killer. So is alcohol. It's hard to enjoy anything when sleep-deprived.
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bless you brave OP. get help if it gets too dark. Let me know if i can help.
jim
I find that i need to listen more during the bad times good music on a good system seems to calm me down.
@Jay73 sorry to hear you're struggling with some personal issues. I find it interesting you'd pose your question in this forum. Why at least 50% of us are crazy. Why else would be be audiophile know-it-alls? lol 

No doubt you have already done some things folks suggested -- and forgive me if I overstep, that's the last thing I want to do -- but I need "friends who are closer than a brother" in my life. (cf. Prov. 19:24).

I learned long ago that I need others who are like minded, headed in the right direction, maybe some older, some younger, whom I pursue. I've worked very hard over the years to develop these "closer than a brother" friendships. In my world, my closest friends are Believers so we're "on the same page" in many ways. We've gone through major health issues, family problems, adult children problems, cross country moves, deaths in our families, you name it. No one judges the other; we're simply "there" for each other. I encourage our adult kids and folks in my sphere of influence that you need this kind of community all your life and you cannot wait for others to take the initiative. I chose years ago to pursue people -- no tit-for-tat -- if they don't call, pursue, invite, no sweat. I work to be a good friend and over time, solid friends emerge. Some relationships are transitional and that's OK. 

Technology and Covid have driven us away from community into even more isolation. In a way, audio is kind of a isolation hobby (granted, much more than a hobby for many of us) but we need face-to-face connections and friendships.

Whether it's a good beverage, cigar, cookout, firepit, sitting on the porch or patio... if you are not already hanging out with good people, pursue some. Maybe some audiophiles in your area? 

Press on. Be of good courage. I hope you find a love of many things, not just music! 
It once happened to me in the past.
I was not in a mood to listen to music.It made me feel worst.
And My system is a good one.
I asked an audiophile friend , if music was that important in life.
I almost put a blanket on my system . So much money for what ???
I hated it , ….and many things  in life.

I shifted to television for a while. But I gradually came back to music . Fortunatly , I have not sold my gears .
You are not alone .

Just remember this. You are NOT alone or wierd. Everyone goes through some dark times. @ oldhvymec has given very good advice. @hilde45 also. Everybody gets some heartache in life. Nothing will save you from it IMO. But we get through it, usually stronger & wiser. This too will pass. The good times will reemerge and you will enjoy life again. And talk to friends. Do NOT isolate yourself.Not good. Reread  oldhvymec's post
I never fail to enjoy listening to my stereo.  That doesn't mean, though, that I don't often find better things to do.  Putting it another way, as much as I enjoy my stereo,  I don't feel obligated to sit there and  listen (either critically or uncritically) all day long.
All the time. I know it's happening and I know why, but sometimes I try to reignite my interest in the hobby by buying something new, usually something expensive that I shouldn't be buying. Other times I'll declare myself "done with the hobby" and start selling stuff. Bad ideas. Just let it ride until things turn around. 
NEVER!! Because my system is wonderful!!

I think I'll head over to @ebm's system page. Clearly, his stuff defies the miseries of the human condition. What a contribution he has made to humanity. How lucky for all of us that he is among us.


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EVERYONE on this planet is trying to find balance.

Hopefully you find the right "mix" which allows you to resume listening.

Reminding yourself that there are PLENTY of others in MUCH WORSE situations than not being able sit and listen to a stereo system may help.
When this happens leave and travel, do something different, find what brings balance again. Normally only children can deal better with it.
When I lose interest in life I give caffeine the boot.  Over time restless sleep slowly runs me down.  Exercise chases the depression away too.  Some people get more than their fair share in life.  Sometimes good, sometimes bad.  Hang in there.
When my head is elsewhere I can’t really listen enjoyably. One thing That helps me is acupuncture. My wife is a practitioner and it it treats body, mind and spirit.
Yes, sometime events in our personal life occurs and for a period of time we are unable to participate in pleasures that we at one time enjoyed. Time heals all...

Definition of anhedonia

: a psychological condition characterized by inability to experience pleasure in normally pleasurable acts.
Good advice, so far. It may be, OP, that your music is a source of happiness and pleasure for you, and you want to keep it that way, not intermix it with the tangles of life. For me, if I have troubles, I don't find music to be therapeutic, usually. It seems like a diversion away from solving or learning how to deal with those troubles. Everyone is different, but if your instincts are keeping you clear of listening, there's probably a good reason to stay true to yourself. Just mytwo cents.
OP life is as seasonal as spring is to fall. I’ll tell you this. Eat well, exercise and talk... Who do I talk to? Myself A LOT..

I also have a pretty active prayer life. Me and the Good Lord are on a first name basis, and have been in and out of season for MANY MANY years.

Remember when you were happy and go THERE..

I spent 89 days in a 4 x 4 cage in PANAMA. Your gonna have to trust me on this one.. Thing may seem difficult.. KEEP LOOKING UP... quit looking down.. That saved my life..

Me I’m an animal person too.. Terriers, rabbits, chickens, goats, neighbor kids..

ALL the animals in the neighborhood are welcome at Uncle Scotty’s. :-)

My dog won’t put up with any misbehavin’ kids or grownups for that matter. LOL NUT NIP comes to mind..

Be of good cheer my good fellow, we are all here...

Puff Puff pass comes to mind too... and Boozin' don't.. Be careful with the sauce buddy.. BAD mojo, bad Carma... BAD thoughts... BAD STUFF!!!

Regards
That does happen. I have found that sometimes when there are personal troubles with a family member or other loved one, listening to music that is rich in memories that include that person or persons can be very painful.
It sounds like you may be wanting to get back to listening and the comforts that it can provide. I would suggest trying some music that is either more upbeat, or music that doesn't have a long history of emotional associations for you.
Good Luck.
For sure. I haven't fired up my big system in quite a while. I do play and enjoy music but on my other systems. My other system, while good, are not hyper critical.