I am unbelievably lazy. Please help.

[Winterplant]

I am so lazy.

All the time.

I work from home mostly. I have a computer set up from a table, we were not given laptops. I spend 90% of my working day under the duvet in bed watching YouTube or on mumsnet or other sites. Not even sitting up, but lying down. I get so tired from sitting at my desk even only for a short period.

When I am in the office I obviously have to sit at my desk but every 10 minutes or so I look at the news or Instagram.

I cook home cooked meals daily (only quick things that take under half an hour usually) but after I've eaten I just want to go back in bed and go on my laptop and phone.

The flat is tidy but not clean. I can't summon the energy to clean the bathroom more often than on a monthly basis or so. My partner does the washing up daily. He vacuums every couple of weeks. It is just us 2 so the flat doesn't get hideous but it isn't clean!

Why am I like this? I want to change. Please help me with practical steps to take...

@Mudflapsarego

I like your honesty op!

First, give yourself a break because we are in a global pandemic and uncertainty and stress and the monotony of it all is exhausting.

Secondly, agree with others who say some sort of timetable or tick list would be very helpful. But lists are no good if you don't actually do them!

Third, don't wait until you have energy. Try and do something for five mins then have a cup of tea and use the impetus from your first small achievement to propel you on to the next and so on. But start small and build up. No perfectionism. Energy creates energy.

Four, I find it's helpful to act IMMEDIATELY on any thoughts that filter in to your head like "I must wash some towels" - don't dwell on it just do it quickly - and then it becomes a habit and you find yourself "unblocked".

Good luck

I keep lists and only do things that benefit me personally. I'm very efficient when it comes to e.g. registering a warranty for a new item. But then I procrastinate with work... I just want to curl up back in bed.

I went for a walk today and while I don't want to be in bed now, what is there to do? I'm bored. I tried sitting on the sofa but I put my legs up as I couldn't resist the urge

[quote zzzooomwatcher]@Winterplant sorry I don't really understand your question? Learned through coaching or the diagnosis?

Coaching has been good for coping strategies to keep me organised and on track. Strategies that work for neurotypical people (non ADHD) don't really work for me, have had to work through a lot of behaviours that came from being v unfocused.[/quote]
What you learned through the coaching please :)

Are you overweight? In pain. Seems weird that you can't stand for long ! Have you checked your thyroid?

@huuuuunnnndderrricks

Are you overweight? In pain. Seems weird that you can't stand for long ! Have you checked your thyroid?

Not overweight. I do get bad mid back pain for some reason if I stand too long. Thyroid is fine.

Best of luck OP, look at everyone's suggestions and start making a list. You can do this

I cant help you OP but you have described me down to a tee. Even the wanting to make good food but being too tired/lazy to spend an hour standing

I don't know whats wrong with me or how to motivate myself. I feel tired of constantly motivating myself. I always do when/then but unless I have someone standing over me forcing me to do it I'll just skip to the then

Do you have any other symptoms other than the tiredness?

Laziness is part of my Dudeist religion. We celebrate taking it easy. There's way too much pressure in the square community to rush about getting unnecessary things done although that's just like, my opinion, man. Still it does sound like you don't even have the energy to do what you enjoy like cooking or bowling. What you need is a doctor, who is a good man and thorough. But remember the Dudeists will consider you an achiever if you are making chilling an art form so never feel guilty about that.

I go to bed as well
It's compelling isn't it ?

I wish I could stop the laziness but I can't

You need to tackle your social media addiction that's led you into a lazy and non-productive life. CBT, counselling, therapy whatever it takes.

Social media/internet addiction is rife. Hours, days wasted scrolling mindlessly, it's easier than actually getting up and doing stuff. On the other hand it messes with your head and makes you unhappy. Both via negative content and taking in too much info, and an awareness at the back of your mind that your real life days are pointlessly filled with the virtual and looking at other people's life, as opposed to getting on with stuff you need to do.

You'll feel better and be more productive if you tackle the addiction

I used to know someone who literally 'shared the load' with her best mate who was just like her in this regard. One enjoyed cleaning and was very good at it, the other the same with cooking. Once a week they exchanged a couple of hours labour cleaning and batch cooking for each other. It worked extremely well for them and both felt their lives improved immensely.

I’m pretty much the same OP, but I’m traumatised by a recent death. My goal is to leave the house for one hour a day. Sometimes I have broken it into 4 x 15 minutes.

Great advice @FurrySlipperBoots

Maybe I'm stating the obvious, but I think the solution would be to not work from home. Maybe that requires a job change, so be it. What you are doing now is incredibly bad for you mentally and physically. If you can't change maybe have a schedule that you stick to, Monday 10 at a certain cafe, Tuesday walk and wfh, Wednesday 9am different cafe etc. But I feel the job is the issue.

I have a tendency towards laziness too and feel exhausted a lot, so I do get it. I have less energy than most people and need to rest often. However I've learned that tiredness, energy and rest can have little in common. I remember during lockdowns sleeping til 10 or 11 every day and dragging myself around the house feeling utterly exhausted. I was the same as a student when supposed to be studying. When I'm busy with a goal I get energy regardless of how much sleep I've had. You need to make changes to your life, I don't think you are going to suddenly feel enthusiastic with what you have.