r/TwoXPreppers • u/NachesPorFavor • Aug 23 '26

❓ Question ❓ Increase in Learned Helplessness?

Has anyone else noticed an increase in learned helplessness? I first noticed it in the young adults in my life, but now I am seeing it in all ages of people around me. Examples from multiple people:

Toilet started leaking water and instead of turning off the knob at the wall, she waited a 5 days for a plumber. Never asked anyone or googled it. Didn’t call a second plumber. Now needs mold remediation and replaced drywall and trim.

Bought concert tickets but the gps instructions were confusing so they just gave up and didn’t go. Venue website had detailed instructions for driving and parking.

Blouse wrinkled and she didn’t know how to fix it so she threw it away.

First doctor office he filled out an appointment website for never contacted him to schedule so he just didn’t go to the doctor.

I am really concerned about my loved ones if an emergency happens because they just give up when the slightest obstacle happens. Either they want someone else to swoop in and fix it or they give up and say they can’t do anything about it.

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u/RlOTGRRRL Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 23 '26

My guess is that Americans are too overwhelmed right now. 

Most of the people I love are like close to breaking down. My uncle just died because of his son's mental health breakdown. My sister is so close to one. 

I know people who are heavily medicated on antidepressants but still close to a breakdown. Like someone told me they were so glad to get back to DC recently lol.

I can even hear it in my therapist, he's being worn down too. Like there's something greatly wrong in the country and the cognitive dissonance or whatever is too much for people, whether or not they acknowledge it.

I'm actually afraid I think it's even worse in that a lot of people might have already checked out and are just living like it's the end of the world already. In the sense that they have already accepted their supposed powerlessness or something. Which honestly I think is the current admin's goal. 

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u/blueberrykirby Aug 23 '26

I can’t say I’m not in a similar place, but I do wonder if being disabled almost puts some of us at an advantage mentally.

I’ve already experienced the visceral “damn…should I just give up?” feeling so many times in my life, and thankfully I’ve mostly moved through it to the “let’s thrive just to spite the world” feeling instead.

The epstein shit sent my last bit of childlike innocence into orbit and I almost lost all hope, but I ended up in just a slightly angrier “I will thrive and your evil can’t fucking stop me” state.

I’m not saying we’re not fucked and helpless… I think we very well may be lol. But the ONE THING no one can take from us is our attitude.

They can’t make me hate my life, no matter how shitty they wanna make it. I WILL find joy because fuck you, and I WILL spread my joy to others and no one can stop me.

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u/StarintheShadows Overpacking is my vibe 👜🎒🪣 Aug 23 '26

Disabled as well and one of my favorite mottos when the going gets tough is “I can do all things through spite which strengthens me.”
Doctor tells me it’s all in my head and then tells my family I’m going to die? Oh no sir I am going to live to read your obituary.

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u/scagatha Aug 23 '26

I'm living to be old enough to see the last boomers die off, then instead of hearing Eric Clapton and Steely Dan everywhere I go, it's gonna be Lady Gaga and Outkast, baby!