Before anyone tries to get on the motivating train, I just want to remind you that in this capitalist system, it is required that some individuals not make it beyond certain points, society only has a certain capacity and ability to accommodate a limited number of people. In 2009 suicide rates were 5,706, I imagine they haven't changed much. There are people required to fill those statistics so not everyone is meant for saving.
Mon Dieu, I could have written this myself. It all feels like such a facade, a burlesque. I find myself manually going through the motions and when my thoughts catch up to whatever mundane charade I am enacting, it hits you like a shit ton of bricks. It's easy for someone to look down from their place of privilege at all those poor fuckers toiling in the dirt and tell them it'll be okay. But it isn't, is it? You feel like like an outsider, because no one else around you is willing to admit the ridiculousness, the absurdity of absolutely everything. All you can do is create for yourself a character in this society and hone that character accordingly in as rational and conscious a manner as possible, so as to create the 'perfect' guise. Thing is - there are limitations. You can't be the character you want. You are who they tell you you are (female, POC, LGBT) and if you try to break the mold, you're just another rogue.
And there isn't really any point. We work so we can work and then we work some more until society deems us useless, tosses us aside with a comfortable sum (if you're lucky) and we're finally free to do what we want - but by that point, you're not relevant. You don't even register. Nihilism isn't an alternate - it's the reality (in my opinion, anyway). My advice? Try not to let it drive you crazy. Revolt. I read about something called Anarchist Calisthenics, the idea of which is basically to break little societal rules every day, exercising those 'muscles', so that when the time comes for a great revolution it won't be too difficult. Now, I'm not advocating Anarchy (I am but whatever), but this can be domesticated and applied on a more personal basis - you can revolt against your own Nihilistic tendencies by consciously attempting to find meaning in the mundane -- like others have said read, draw, dance, cultivate your interests, do things for others. This will help you transcend the "void", the emptiness or perhaps elude it for a little while.
Also, physical exercise. Push yourself. As hard as possible. By bridging the gap between the mental and the physical (thinking "I can fucking do five more pushups" and then actually doing it) you're establishing in yourself a sense of competence and ability and this leaks into other aspects of your life.
Sorry about that rant. Most of it probably didn't even make much sense and it was more for my own sake really. As someone said above, this is wonderfully therapeutic.
ETA: Also,
education. Obviously ex-Muslims aren't a monolith, we come from a variety of backgrounds but this here is specifically targeted at those from a less advantageous milieu. You might not have been able to give yourself the best education growing up but you can change this now. Realize that, as you haven't been fortunate enough to inherit wealth and a reputable name, you'll have to make it yourself. It doesn't matter how intelligent you are, it all goes to dust without a degree (or two - and some further education) to reinforce it. Growing up as a Muslim may have stunted your curiosity a little (because you're constantly discouraged from questioning lest you *shock horror* devolve into the realm of blasphemy) but you can re-ignite it. Be genuinely interested in the world around you. So I'm just gonna start doling out the platitudes now. We're here, we might as well make do. Appreciate all that life has to offer. Don't limit yourself to one genre of music or one literary style. Expand. Learn. Absorb. Those feelings of inadequacy and that you've 'missed out' on a lot of things can be a wonderful impetus for broadening your horizons and growing as a person.
Topic: Advice to 16 - 22 years old Ex-Muslims