Cant get off my arse

[CrotchBurn]

Been off work since the 21st, had a nice and much needed fortnight off, but now I cant seem to get off my arse and do anything.

I have work due in tomorrow, theres an important project I really need to start working on next week, there are half clean/half dirty halfway clothes all over bathroom and bedroom, hair is greasy, havent had a proper meal in three or four days (just picking at fridge stuff), cant even be bothered to watch a film, just lounging around in pyjamas scrolling on MN and the Guardian. I did manage to binge watch Bridgerton.

Anyone else struggling to let go of "Christmas downtime" and emerge back into the Real World?! Its like the less I do the less I feel energised to do?

You're the only person that can motivate yourself. Why not have a shower and get into some fresh clothes and have a walk around the block?

Just turn your phone off and not look at it for 6 hours. Easy.

Just enjoy being a bit slobby. Real life will kick your arse when you get back to work.

Two weeks doing nothing would make me feel like crap. Not eating a decent meal for a few days the same. If your happy fair enough but it wouldn't be my choice.

I have a busy job and like you have just0 enjoyed 2 weeks off. Being in tier 4- has made us all lazier than usual I think.

My best tips are to have a shower and sit down with a coffee and make a list. Don't be too ambitious today, just aim to tick off 2 items.

Once you get back into the rythym of work you can tick off more items.

Good luck

I've had 2 weeks of doing nothing and it's been amazing but I'm not sure how I'm going to cope from tomorrow. Before Christmas I was close to breaking point at work and just packing everything away not having to look at it has done me the world of good. I was told by other people they'd be looking at their emails while they were off but I decided not so, it's my annual leave so why should I?

Yep same. I can be bothered to make cakes. But anything else (including tidying up and cooking proper food) is being pushed aside. Think after the year we’ve had, we’re allowed a couple of weeks to collapse. I’m sure your mojo will return once you’re back in work mode.

I could have written this. I set my alarm early this morning to try to reset my body clock a bit, I did get up but have been watching TV in bed all day. Shocks me looking at the time. I've put a wash on and that's it. I'm going to motivate myself to get up and dressed now and do a food shop. I work really long hours and needed the rest but I'm dreading this week at work!

We've been isolating since xmas day so more lazy than usual and haven't even been allowed out for a walk! Feeling much the same.

However I have tried to do at least one job each day and keep on top of basics like washing and washing up. Today I also cleaned windows (they had snow spray on them) and checked my car was still alive after two weeks. I've got shopping being delivered today and ordered healthy stuff and will try to get back into a routine from tomorrow.

My kids are off til 18th but I may be back at work sooner. Last isolating day tomorrow.

Well you’ve got your list right there.

Switch off your notifications (calls can come through) put your phone away somewhere and not pick it up until you’ve achieved the minimum you’re happy with.
I’ve got a list today too. I’ve been able to tick off 3 things so far.

Although I was just thinking about being rid of the Xmas clutter - sweet dishes, decorations, holly, cards - and give the place a good hoover.

I need another cup of coffee and then I'll probably make a start. Gradually

@Buzzer3555

Just enjoy being a bit slobby. Real life will kick your arse when you get back to work.

This.

Your probably need this downtime tbh, just enjoy it for now.

Use the Forest app. It's the only way I get things done when I can't get off my phone (like now!). You choose how long you want to stay offline and whilst you're off, you grow a virtual tree. If you log on before the end, your tree dies. It sounds silly, but it really works.

And I am feeling exactly the same as you. DH has been ill and we are all self isolating whilst he awaits the result of his Covid test - the break in routine and uncertainty has derailed me. I agree with others - the answer is to make a short to-do list and switch off your phone.

Which I'm going to do right now.

Those 3 things I’ve done have exhausted me. I’m back in bed having a lie down (with my phone, of course)

I have some important uni coursework that has to be in in 2 weeks and I just can't get my arse in gear.
It's not helped by the fact that it covers material that was taught 100% remotely and I didn't really grasp it at the time and then it was Christmas.
I've lost all motivation.

I am absolutely having this issue. I haven’t managed anything productive over the last couple of weeks, just lounging on my phone/ TV/ computer games. I have been going to be at 3/4am and not getting up til midday. Rarely get dressed or leave the house and done the bare minimum of housework - have loads of laundry that needs putting away, things that need sorting, need to do a big shop. Kept putting everything off until ‘tomorrow’ but now on the last day of my break and still haven’t done anything! No idea how I’m going to cope with the shock of going back to work this week.

YABU - but very much not alone

Me.

I’ve been super slobby and lazy this holiday. I’ve had three weeks off work and I’ve never sat on my bum so much, not even before Dc the eldest is 12yo). Tier 4 here, which is a convenient excuse.

I am half way through putting the decorations away, which I’ve had to do today as a decorator is coming to start painting tomorrow. Knowing that he is coming is making me take them down, but I will need to find some motivation to get up and put them away.

Five more minutes ...

"just lounging around in pyjamas scrolling on MN and the Guardian"

Mumsnet and the guardian are prime doom scrolling material. If you can only do one thing, can you switch to other online materials and see if that is enough of a catalyst to kick on the pilot light?

Us too, even though I was working between xmas and new year. We bit the bullet, did a manic hour long house blitz, then shower and clean clothes, and its feels bloody lovely to be able to relax again in mostly clean and tidy house. Just grit your teeth and start and you'll feel amazing afterwards.

I booked the week before Christmas off so have been off work for 3 weeks. Back tomorrow with a bang as home schooling too and I'm a senior manager of a team.of 10 with lots of difficult issues I really needed a break from! I'm enjoying slobbing around while I still can as the next goodness know how long is going to be very stressful.

I’ve had two weeks off and felt similar a few days ago but I’ve since made a small list (things like do laundry, hoover etc) which has helped get things going. I also found having a shower and getting dressed helped get me in that mindset rather than just throwing on some trackies and dragging myself to the sofa.

It’s been really nice turning my brain off for 2 weeks. Work was incredibly full on in the lead up to Xmas and I needed the battery recharge. But you’re right, you back to break out of that slobby state and sadly get back to reality!

Am half way between "I wish" & "me too".

I wish I could really really relax and do nothing and have a proper battery recharge. But I also wish I had put on deodorant after my last shower 2 days ago. And I also wish I didn't have a 3 hour zoom with my family this afternoon.

I have made MiL's breakfast, washed up all the dishes (including those left from last night), put all the napkins, tablecloth, kitchen towels in to wash. Now I want a nap (but I can never nap, not in my playbook) but I have the 3 hour zoom starting in 45 minutes.....

OP I’m with you. What’s the rush? I’m horizontal on the couch in my pjs. I tried to go for a walk before but somehow ended up back here. 👀😆😆😆