If you are very energetic what’s your secret?

[Dontbelazy]

I’m currently off work as I work term time and I’m so annoyed with myself because I’m being lazy.I met up with friends last night they are term time too and several were reeling off all the things they’d been doing, gardening, decorating, exercising. I’d literally been doom scrolling, watching crime documentaries and had a nap.

My kids are teens now so more or less sort themselves out but they can be so messy and constantly in the fridge and making snacks and it’s really draining trying to do things round the house with them under my feet.

But there’s so much I could be doing, I wish I was one of those energetic, on the go types but I can waste hours just lolling about.

If you’re energetic what’s your secret or if you’re a lazy type like me have you found a way to motivate yourself?

I make two lists at the start of the holidays: a jobs list and a fun list. I try to make sure the jobs list isn't longer! I try to get through both. I'm term time too.

Totally relate to this.

I love exercising so will be in the gym or out for a walk/run every day - definitely keeps my energy up

I hate an untidy house so will clean and tidy before sitting down

I don't have social media (unless a MN account counts) so don't get the concept of doom scrolling - what are people actually looking at?

Not too interested in TV and we just don't have it on during the day although I will still it on for an hour in the evening so watch an episode of something

I realise that this makes me sound completely boring! I'm not!!! 😁

I just like to keep busy and get out and about so would always choose a walkto the local cafe/pub over Netflix.

Two easy things you can do to give yourself more hours in your day — no Internet and no TV.

400mg ferrous sulphate every day for several months

Have you had your bloods done?

Nope I've had long covid for 3 years and feel like im made of stone most days. Work v part time then crawl into bed. Horrible illness.

Start the day with a cold shower, it’s a simple trick that’ll get you firing on all cylinders.

Would medication help?

I just make a point of not sitting down, until the night.
The second I sit down, I struggle to motivate myself to get back up to do anything, or procrastinate on my phone.
On a day off, I’d walk first thing in a morning or go to the gym. (or drive somewhere for a long hike).
I’d have coffee and brunch straight after this, get any quick jobs done, then I’d have another plan straight away.
I definitely wouldn’t watch TV in the day.

if I did sit and chill, it would be to read a book

(Just thought I’d add, I suffer from inflammatory arthritis so it’s not that I don’t need the rest, I just choose not to unless I really do!)

ADHD.

Or make you dread the start of your day so much you hide under the duvet weeping.

I’m you 🤣 this is also me!
I also work term time so am currently off work until September.
i have 3 teens and a 4 year old, so while the teens largely occupy themselves my youngest does take up some of my time, but I still find my days are gone in the blink of an eye and I struggle to see what I’ve done with them!
I do try to get out for at least 1 walk a day, even if it’s just to our local high street or cafe.
I find if I don’t have things written down then they don’t get done. I’m a list lover. I need visual reminders of what I need to do.
currently I’m trying to get the mojo to sort through mine and the kids’ mountains of clothes and list them on Vinted. And I want to sort through our garage and have a clear out, maybe try and sell/get rid of lots of our wedding bits from our wedding last year.
but I’ve been off work 2 weeks so far and none of those things have happened yet!

I have just been diagnosed with severely low ferritin, copper and zinc though (have now been referred to a dietician as apparently not as simple as just taking supplements, due to one counteracting the other). So while I had assumed my incredibly low energy levels, and the need for daily naps were perhaps due to perimenopause starting, it seems I do have a genuine reason for my utter lack of mojo!

so my only advice - if I’m even qualified to give it, what with being incredibly lazy myself - would be to write lists and set yourself a couple of tasks a day, nothing major, just a couple of things to get done each day. Just enough so that you don’t need to feel guilty about having some downtime! For me it’s not even about feeling guilty, I just know how much I’ll kick myself come September when I go back to work and think of all that wasted time. I’ll end up telling myself that I’ll do xyz in the October half term instead, which of course won’t ever happen either!

They are saying the ADHD is what gives them excess energy!

Coffee.
Plus I am only energetic about certain things: Work, walking the dog, going out to different places in the evening/weekends...all fine
Cleaning... not so much.

Feminine energy

I am like you OP . I have this app the organised mum method and she does short (or longer) cleaning and other tasks where she talks you through things. Just tells you to do stuff basically. I’ve found it so helpful. Because once you start moving and doing it’s so much easier to keep going. She has short 10 mins get ready for the day which I use a lot . Like get up make the bed get ready etc . Helps me a lot anyway

Love this. I'd much rather explore the mind and spirituality than explore the planet. Even as a kid you'd find me in the library not out playing with the other kids. I'm no intellectual or anything I just don't really care for "experiences". I think I always lacked energy though so it's hard to get excited about physical exertion in my shoes. Even opening a tin takes all my energy these days 😆

Do not pickup your phone first thing. If you start your day with a few tasks like showering, getting dressed, going for a walk, without picking up your phone, you’ll start getting your dopamine from getting tasks done rather than the phone.
Make a list after breakfast of what you want to do then get through it.

I do a list. Plan a mix of stuff to get done and nice things with friends.

I keep a to do list divided into various categories. I try to get one thing ticked off per day. I make sure some are very achievable tasks, so that I feel good when completing them which leads to wanting to do more. So not 'do tax return' , but 'download annual interest statement for X bank' 'find email receipt for Y subscription'.

Oh it does, but I opt to only take it at certain times, I personally prefer not to take it all the time.

Definitely get some blood tests done, iron, ferritin ,D, Folate, B12, thyroid, HBA1C (diabetes), vitamin levels can drop as women age, thyroid conditions increase in midlife for women.

Get the full results (don't let the receptionist term you they are "normal" or "in range") and stick the numbers and your symptoms into Chat GPT.

The NHS have really wide ranges for most blood tests and in range may not be optimal for you.

I use timers to help me get going, so I force myself to do something for 10 minutes but I usually then keep going - as others have said it's getting started that is a challenge!

Just reading through all the replies.

I always been the same way really even when I was young.

I don’t drink alcohol at all, I definitely need to be exercising more as a haven’t been recently, however even at times in my life where I’ve been keeping really fit I was the same and I always had to really force myself to exercise.

I’ve had so many blood tests over the years for thyroid and everything else they’ll do full bloods, and they always come back ok.

I don’t think I’m depressed but I do have very bad anxiety and very much live in my head, I think all the worrying and overthinking everything exhausts me.