Unsettled and lost

[CheeryLemonHare]

Do you ever find yourself looking on Google for answers but never seem to get anywhere!
i often come across this website so thought I would reach out to you guys for advice.
i am 52, am happily married, have no money worries, have an ok social life and should be happy! The only thing I don’t have is children which I accepted a long time ago and my family because they are in Scotland and I am in England.
For years I have struggled so much to feel purpose or feel true happiness. I have lovely holidays, I see friends, I visit my family often and speak to them daily, I have a job and some would think what are you moaning about.
The issue I have is None of it really leaves me fulfilled. I am obsessed with looking for new jobs and looking for a new house in a new area. I volunteer and get excited because it’s a new venture but then once I start I become less interested and don’t want to do it anymore. Any efforts to be happy or live with healthy habits are short-lived.
It feels like no matter where I live or what I do, I return to feeling lost and low. I go to work and have a good day but then I come home and look for something else. It's like I'm on a constant treadmill of searching for purpose and happiness while life and time is passing me by.
how do I get out of this? What is wrong with me?
I think depression is definitely a part to play here but surely it is not normal to always be feeling like this.
when will I be happy and content in life. What is stopping me from being happy and content. I don’t get it.
has anybody else experienced this?

Read books. Cultivate an interest in art. Consider the fact that there might be an artist inside you.
Learn to meditate. Question the meaning of life.
Everything you are experiencing seems to me to be the human condition. This has literally arisen, if allowed to, throughout history. Every single creative human endeavour has emerged from this kind of feeling.
There's nothing 'wrong' with you.
Best wishes.

A couple of things strike me here. One is that some people like change for the sake of it and bore when things hit a steady rhythm and that might be you. Instead of worrying about or actioning those feelings, just acknowledge it for what it is and accept you’re one of millions with a Rightmove addiction! You don’t need to move house every time though.
Are you in a relationship and is it happy? Do you want to be if not? You sound a bit lonely which again is a deinf that is common but it might be worth exploring.

You say you accepted not having children a long time ago, but if you wanted them, that is quite a big life goal to have to let go of. Has any of your volunteering been with children? How would you feel about respite fostering or working with child refugees or Homestart?

You say fitness projects are short lived. Sounds like you haven't found your fitness passion yet. It may not give a sense of purpose but it should bring joy. I tried all sorts and was surprised to find I hated Zumba and Pilates but loved bootcamps and yoga. Hate cycling but love hiking and kayaking.

Same with arts and crafts. Try a wide range - everything from the mess of pottery and oil painting yo the physicality of carpentry to the precision of needlework or the escapist mental work of creative writing.

Do you have any hobbies that push towards big goals? Singing in a choir and rehearsing for a big concert, or hill walking towards the three peaks challenge? These can give medium term sense of purpose.

Can you go back to Scotland and see family more often?

It is tough to seek purpose and fulfilment in life for so long. But fwiw, I really admire your approach to life, volunteering, working, having a social life. You sound resourceful, and I really hope you find what you need.