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Original poster

Really struggling to get anything done

31 replies

slowwalkofshame · 13/12/2023 00:25

I am just really struggling to get anything done these days. I took today off but somehow it got to 4pm and I still hadn't done anything really. Its like I have some kind of paralysis and struggle to just get off my bum.

I do feel a bit overwhelmed by all the Christmas prep but I'm like this at other times as well my time just goes and nothing gets done, how do I stop this and just get going?

OP posts:
Aerin1999 · 13/12/2023 00:27

Are you perimenopausal, potentially?

Original poster
slowwalkofshame · 13/12/2023 00:28

@Aerin1999 Yes but I am on HRT and I've been like this for a lot longer than I've been peri.

OP posts:
EmmaEmerald · 13/12/2023 00:30

Is it worse in winter? Or indeed, only happens in winter?

Original poster
slowwalkofshame · 13/12/2023 00:31

@EmmaEmerald No it isn't worse in winter but I think with the pressure of christmas I feel more aware of it but it doesn't seem to be seasonal.

OP posts:
Pinkpinkpink15 · 13/12/2023 00:32

Awful isn't it! I look forward to a whole day off to do xyz, then, like you, end up having done fuck all. I'm just so bloody exhausted all the time!!

im not in HRT, but shoukd be. I just can't face the rigmarole if trying to get Drs apt, then she'll just bang on about a health issue I have, unrelated to feeling like this 🤦🏻‍♀️

EmmaEmerald · 13/12/2023 00:33

slowwalkofshame · 13/12/2023 00:31

@EmmaEmerald No it isn't worse in winter but I think with the pressure of christmas I feel more aware of it but it doesn't seem to be seasonal.

So maybe a reaction to overwhelm?

I try to channel Derek Shepherd and take the "start anywhere" approach when I feel like that.

Aerin1999 · 13/12/2023 00:34

My procrastination and ability to achieve nothing drives me mad. Going teetotal is the only thing that has ever helped me.

Original poster
slowwalkofshame · 13/12/2023 00:35

Aerin1999 · 13/12/2023 00:34

My procrastination and ability to achieve nothing drives me mad. Going teetotal is the only thing that has ever helped me.

I haven't drunk alcohol since I was a teenager and even then it wasn't much but interesting that that helped you.

OP posts:
Aerin1999 · 13/12/2023 00:36

slowwalkofshame · 13/12/2023 00:28

@Aerin1999 Yes but I am on HRT and I've been like this for a lot longer than I've been peri.

When did it start?

AllrightNowBaby · 13/12/2023 00:36

Can I ask what are you doing while the time just flys by?
Some days, if I go on line in the morning, time just goes and you don’t get much done.
What I’ve started doing is, giving myself a time to go online but at say 10am, I must stop and get things done.
Then don’t allow myself to get bogged down again till I’ve achieved whatever needs doing, much later in the day.
I’ve been promising I’ll put the tree etc up for about a week, so this morning 10am, everything sorted in no time, did shop, prepped evening meal.
In fact got loads done snd the 10am rule is here to stay now.

Original poster
slowwalkofshame · 13/12/2023 00:37

@Pinkpinkpink15 Yeah its not fun I end up so angry at myself. I would try and see if you can at least try HRT it did help me initially, perhaps I need my dose increased?

OP posts:
Original poster
slowwalkofshame · 13/12/2023 00:38

@EmmaEmerald Thanks I will have a look at the Derek Shepherd channel.

OP posts:
Original poster
slowwalkofshame · 13/12/2023 00:41

@AllrightNowBaby Often I wake up with a migraine so I take my medication and makes me pretty sleepy (under the care of a neurologist and all that). So I might lose a few hours in the morning with that.

Probably going online is part of it and I know I should leave the online stuff till I've done all the practical things but sometimes I need to order something or do emails or I just lack the willpower to say no to myself.

OP posts:
Original poster
slowwalkofshame · 13/12/2023 00:46

@EmmaEmerald Can you post a link to the Derek Shepherd channel, I can't find it its just Greys Anatomy stuff coming up!

OP posts:
FarewellLeicesterSquare · 13/12/2023 00:53

I think a routine can help laid out like a school time table, but remember to schedule relaxation too.

Get to bed early.

Help yourself by habit stacking eg lay out exercise clothes or work outfit or hoover and cleaning materials for next day, the night before.

Have a good morning routine that involves going outside as soon as possible.

As I understand it, procrastination is driven by stress and a need to feel really good in the moment rather than to do something you find daunting so I think ackbowdging the source of stress is helpful. Ask yourself what is it in particular about task I am avoiding?

So if it’s boring> listen to a podcast

If it’s intellectually challenging > do more research or find a mentor

If it’s overwhelming > break in to smaller chunks

If it’s tiring> start by setting a timer and do just 15 mins

Good luck

EmmaEmerald · 13/12/2023 00:54

Sorry, OP - it is indeed Derek Shepherd from Grey's Anatomy! When he didn't know how to start a complicated surgery, the patient (if I recall correctly) gave the advice "start anywhere". If I'm looking at a pile of paperwork or big task, it does seem to help!

If you want something more solid than my ramblings 😂 Mel Robbins has a couple of podcasts on procrastination. This is the most recent.

In a more serious work/career sense, sometimes procrastination means you realise what doesn't "need" to be done from your task list, and that can be good.

I am currently procrastinating about going to bed though. I think the internet has probably caused a huge spike in procrastination.

Original poster
slowwalkofshame · 13/12/2023 00:59

@FarewellLeicesterSquare Thank you that is good advice! Its just that initial hump of forcing myself to get up and on with it though! I'm even struggling to get up and just go to bed!

@EmmaEmerald lol, I thought it was some self help guru I could apprentice myself to! It may work better than my usual technique which is waiting until I'm almost out of time and then running about like a headless chicken.

I will try and get off on the right foot by going to bed now though and I will look up Mel Robbin's tomorrow!

OP posts:
Blankspace4 · 13/12/2023 01:04

Any chance you could have ADHD?

Original poster
slowwalkofshame · 13/12/2023 01:06

Blankspace4 · 13/12/2023 01:04

Any chance you could have ADHD?

I don't know, probably not I think I'm just undisciplined and with the migraines and the medication I take for them I could never take the medication for ADHD anyway.

OP posts:
MabelQ · 13/12/2023 01:43

90% of the time when I experience this, I find that I am rather dehydrated. And it is amazing what a tall jar of very cold water with a bit of lemon does within 20min or so.

Sugarmole · 13/12/2023 02:02

Everything is an effort.
No motivation.
I have time to do things and plan things but actually doing it is another matter.

Plans with friends push me to do things and work but without that I think I'd rarely leave home apart from food shop.

Tilllly · 13/12/2023 02:58

Lists

Make a list, it's lovely to cross stuff on

LaurieStrode · 13/12/2023 03:21

Blankspace4 · 13/12/2023 01:04

Any chance you could have ADHD?

Bot the OP but I think I might. At age 60 though, maybe it's too late to matter.

Sugarmole · 13/12/2023 21:19

@LaurieStrode if you're diagnosed you may be given medication if appropriate... some people have found it life-changing.

KeepingTrying · 13/12/2023 21:22

is it possible that you are getting the migraines from the LED lights in your computer screen? I have to use old fluorescent backlit screens bought secondhand from ebay because I get migraines from LEDs.

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