Is it bad to be this way?

[RoseColouredLunettes]

I was recently made aware by someone I don't know very well that I don't seem to care about anything. Although they meant it as a compliment, because they think I'm a positive, happy and content person, their words did make me wonder whether or not they are right. I think they are. For example, I don't know much about what goes on at my workplace unless things directly affect me. I also don't read the news, consume social media much (only to stay in contact with family and friends) or get involved in other people's problems and business. I also don't enjoy reading much, because I generally just don't care what others have to say (unless I love and care about them).

Is it bad that I don't care about much outside of my own bubble and social circle? I don't know why I feel like I probably should care more. But I also can't think of what I would really benefit from doing so? As things are now, I am indeed positive, happy and content with my life. I'm not a bad or malicious person towards anybody, I just mind my own business a lot more than the average person, I guess.

@GinghamStyle Agreed! It doesn't matter what other people think or have to say...

@GinghamStyle that’s a good point! OP if you’re a reader of AIBU perhaps you take a little more interest in others than you suggest

Yet here you are...

Also, the word is carefree, not careless.

On an individual level there’s nothing wrong with being this way at all!

On a societal level... if everyone was like you we’d be totally fucked 😂

I'm like this aswell. And can come across quite awkward at times as I have nothing to add to conversations about gossip or news and come across dumb because I really don't care lol

I’m a bit like this I think.
I don’t actually care about much it all seems very trivial.
I watch the news. But I don’t know anything about reality tv, soaps, music, I just don’t understand a lot of what goes on.
I used to joke ‘what the hell was that all about’ would be on my gravestone.
I’m interested in my children and grandchildren and their lives but nobody else.

I think it's a good thing. I'm autistic though so find things that don't involve or directly affect me to be unnecessary to give thought to. I suppose that's extreme to some and maybe somewhere in the middle would be a better place. You only have to read a few threads on here to realise how utterly wound up people get about non important things.

I used to know someone like you and tbh I found her irritating. She was intelligent, had been to uni, had a good career etc. However she had no conversation beyond clothes and going out. No perception of herself as part of a wider society, and no sense of responsibility for anything at all. I thought she had potential she was wasting.

If you don't care about things that don't affect you, you're a perfect fit the the Tory party. Please visit: www.letskillemtogether.com to sign up for a meagre £25k a year donation.

Surely only having conversations about clothes and going out is exactly what op is avoiding. I k ow I am.

If you're happy within your bubble fair enough, but why bother to start this thread?

It's a very narrow outlook though.

No interest in what's happening in the world: so no opinion about events in the world or in your own country.

You don't read because you've got no interest in what others have to say? You're missing out on all the thousands and thousands of books and writings that great, and not so great minds, have given to the world over hundreds of years. That's a huge amount of interesting and fascinating information you're dismissing.

Have you no desire to learn about anything other than your immediate world?

I'm guessing you have no interest in art either.

Do you watch films, television? Listen to music? If you do you probably have more interest in things than you think.

I think it sad to miss out on so much and dismiss it all as if it's pointless.

Still, if you're happy like that.

Whether it's good or bad it's your personality and it's unlikely you can change it.

But it would matter to you, OP, if other people - who could have a direct impact on you or your family - felt like you, wouldn't it?

I don't understand your post. Live in a little bubble if you want but it's a selfish one and I can't imagine why you'd post for views? But, I don't really care why you did, however contrary, people with no interest in anything aren't interesting generally.

I am happy and optimistic and read tons, and love learning about others and the world. You can take an an interest in things outside your bubble and be quite happy.

I think you believe insulating yourself is the key to your being content. The world has a ton of amazing things to offer, I personally would find it a shame to miss them.

As for reading other peoples opinions I feel like that is a profound key to growth. But you are on mums net, so I think you care more than you think.

I find it difficult to imagine what it is like to have no interest in the outside world. I'm interested in different cultures, food and different views of others. I can see why you might have no interest in social media and gossip in general but as I'm very interested in helping my local community, improving the environment and advocating for my two teens with special needs so I can't imagine not investigating every possible avenue to help them in life.

“Not my problem mate” is my life motto. I care about myself and my kids and my closest friends but that’s it.

@Chiyo666 Hopefully you and your kids will never need the help of strangers. Although if you only care about your own bubble why are you here? This is a message board about other people's problems.

It depends on how small your bubble is really. My FIL died recently and my MIL can only seem to process it from her own point of view and can't and hasn't shown any empathy to even her children.
I think there is a balance between minding your own business and being selfish and self centred and only you can decide where you fall on that line.

Just because I enjoy reading other people’s problems doesn’t mean I particularly care.

I'm like you OP. It's just the way some people are. Anyone who criticises obviously can't cope with how other people want to live their lives.

So what do you talk about? What do you like?
At work, do you mean you don't get involved in gossip or do you mean you have no understanding of the business outside of your role?

"Not my problem mate” is my life motto. I care about myself and my kids and my closest friends but that’s it."

And lots think like this. When the campaigns have been raging for years to get wet markets and live animal festivals to be banned, the lack of interest shows how insular people are in their thinking. Well here we now are.

I can remember when it came out that China and other countries were using prisoners as slave labour and the attitude was that it didn't concern them. Later down the line when it becomes impossible to complete on price for goods, they start to get why they should be interested.

We need to understand the issues of radical religious nutters forcing the takeover of countries that we rely on for goods. As well as the human cost.

Living in your own bubble is counting on other people to make sure services are in place in case you ever need them and all the rest that needs to be in place for a decent society to run. Having a glance over manifestos doesn't quite cut it.

I don't know how you can say that you care about family and friends if you aren't taking notice of all aspects of society.

Gossip is something completely different and so is the celebrity culture.

Well said Ponoka7

I guess what matters is are you happy? Do you ever feel a lack of social support or wish for more connections with people? Or do you pretty much have everything you need?