Lack of Motivation

[lablover]

Hi,

I'm finding that it's hard for me to get motivated to do anything. The job I had/have is taking their time making a decision about whether or not to let me go part time. Mean time, I'm just sort of sitting and wondering. I mean there is plenty I could do and I have applied for another job. Is just sitting and staring part of depression?

[Mich]

I would say that it is part of depression. I have a complete lack of motivation to do anything and that was one of the first symptoms I got when I was working. I would just sit in my cubicle and stare...kind of frozen there. How are you feeling otherwise?

[shatteredhopes]

Yes, absolutely, sloth and lethargic feelings and depression go hand in hand, its common symptom...but some days are better than others I've found...sometimes starting small with something I enjoy and comforts me a little....last night I baked cookies, but you know I previously wasted like 5 sticks of margarine taking one out at a time to soften planning to bake, then not feeling up to it...the best plans are spoiled by depressive episodes, oh well. If only we could get things from our mind to reality the way I envision doing things, but can't seem to make them happen.

But the thing I've learned is this: this is a serious illness and sometimes even the littlest accomplishments, like taking a shower and brushing our teeth when we don't feel like taking care of ourselves, are huge and we should pat ourselves on the back. I try to list my accomplishments and good things that happened during the day at the end of the day to remember to be grateful for little things and to remind myself I'm not a lazy or bad person, but an ILL person.

Positive reinforcement and rewards help, like if I clean the tub I get to take a bubble bath afterwards...I am planning on getting my whole house cleaned and when/if I do ever finish, I am going to reward myself by hopefully getting a couple of little birds for companions...a reward is great motivation for me.

Sometimes too when I do get finally excited or motivated about doing something, I get paralyzed by anxiety...both depression and anxiety can result in a sort of paralysis...so don't be hard on yourself!! Just do the best you can, be proud of any little things you can manage to do, sometimes we can build momentum from there, and some days are better than others.

Hug the chocolate lab for me! Wishing you light and peace in your day...

[crystalgaze]

Hi there lab! Just a mighty "How are you?" to you.

When I get like this, I try to go for a change of scenery.... (if I'm in the house I go outside (window shopping even)... If I'm outside by some trees, then I'll try to go by some water.... etc.)

Aside: The one line I really loved out of Scooby Doo was "Let's create a diversion!" (It was something like that.... That's what I use to counter the feeling a good bit of the time. I've changed it into "I need a good/positive distraction!")

Sometimes I will try to do something spontaneous as well.... (like going on an adventure... If in times past, there was a place I was always curious about, then that's the time I would go there to look.)

I always believe that it will pass. What I don't do today I try not to stress myself out about it. Technically, I may not be able to "catch up" with what I must do but I still have an opportunity to complete the task later.

((((((((((((( lablover ))))))))))))))) How are you doing?