To not understand why it's so difficult for me to get dressed everyday?

[PJsAllDayEveryDay]

I'm currently unemployed and job searching, and every single day I struggle so much with getting dressed and often I don't and just stay in the same PJs I slept in until I finally muster up motivation in the evening to shower, brush my teeth and get changed into fresh PJs. Even when I was employed (and even back when I was at school/university) I would struggle on the weekends with getting ready, unless I had some plans to get out of the house.

Today I need to go food shopping after putting it off for several days, and I'm trying to get ready and it's such a huge hurdle and I don't even know why. I've managed to shower and brush my teeth but have fallen at the next hurdle which is to get dressed and put some makeup on. I've not eaten yet today either as I just can't find the motivation or energy to go to the kitchen and make something.

I don't feel depressed, but I'm just not functioning and I don't know why

Sorry if you don't want to hear this, but it really does sound like depression.

I’m like this too. Thankfully I have a job but unless I have to I don’t.

Do you have friends or family you can arrange to see every few days and then tack on the shop that way? I find it more motivating to do it like that.

A friend suffers with motivation issues - struggles to get going - and was diagnosed with ADHD. it manifests differently in women.

not a medical expert, just a thought

I have been like this all my life too

I struggle with this sometimes and it helps
a lot if I get my clothes out the night before. Then quick shower as soon as possible in the morning

Do you have any sensory issues? I also realised I struggle with a lot of “real” clothes and have accepted that I need a lot of very soft comfy clothes (like pjs but respectable!) or the thought of getting into scratchy dresses puts me off

Don't beat yourself up.
If there's no purpose to get dressed and go out I can see why you wouldn't.
How about trying to take a short walk each morning? Then your dressed for the day and you'll feel better.
A new job will come along soon and you'll be back in the swing of things. For now, enjoy it.

I agree you shouldn't be feeling so bad about this. You're in a position where you can do it temporarily, so I think it's unlikely it's a symptom of anything bigger than feeling like you can't be bothered. Do you live alone? I think I'd definitely do this more often if I knew nobody was going to see the state of me.

If it's worrying you though, decide to do something so you have to get dressed. Meet a friend for coffee, go and get a newspaper every morning, check out every bench in the park over the next week, order a book to collect from the library.

I agree it's probably depression

I think it would be worth it to explore the possible reasons why you might be like this, but have you tried laying out a complete outfit the night before so it's ready the next day?

I think it does sound like depression - not sadness but inertia and a lack of motivation. Being out of work has zapped your routine and taken the urgency away.

It might help you to plan a routine, write it put like a timetable. Start with anything you enjoy. Add healthy things. Any projects that you would like to get done before you get another job. Fill your week.

Then, do it. Tick things off as you go. Do the thing, at the time you've planned, whether you want to or not. Motivation doesn't always come until you've got the flow of energy going.

Maybe it is depression but I remember being like this as a child and teenager during half-terms too, albeit to not this extent.

I have tried laying out clothes, writing myself a to-do list, telling myself I can just do the bare minimum (just brush my teeth and wash my face). It just feels like my brain is rushing through all the steps I'd have to do which makes it feel overwhelming.

I feel like I'm quite all or nothing about it, if I do leave the house even if it's just to walk around the block I have to have a full face of makeup on and my hair straightened, I don't know why but I've always been like that.

I don't bother getting showered or dressed if I am not going anywhere, I just cba. I have my shopping delivered so I never have to go to the shops.

It could be depression or could be ADHD (I have this) but maybe have a think about whether either of these might apply to you?

I've had this op and it was depression. I didn't feel depressed, I just had no get up and go for anything and the tinjest things felt like a huge chore.

My first thought was a form of ADHD as I've read about how it can present in undiagnosed women and this sounds very familiar.

Lots of women with undiagnosed AdHD are put on anti depressants which really don't help. And then feel worse as they are "supposed to get better".