Anyone else losing motivation or turning lazy as time goes on

[granadagirl]

The more weeks this goes on the more I feel I’m losing motivation to do things
I know there’s not much outside the house we can do but even inside now I’ve become laid back about cleaning etc.

I don’t wanna let it get me into depression, as I’ve suffered with this a few time over decades
Before all this I’d got myself into a small routine, Pilates twice a week, shopping and a day off catch up house jobs

Now I feel I have to dig deep to even get going, it’s like 11/12 o’clock before I even think if getting dressed.

I’m in my 60’s, no young kids
So no usual having to do family things

Anyone else ?? Or how you coping ?

[Waxonwaxoff0]

Yes! I'm not even dressed yet, it's been getting later and later every day.

I think because it's been the Easter holidays so there's been no schoolwork and I'm on furlough so I've got no work of my own to do. Hopefully I'll get some motivation back when DS's teacher sends the work over for next week and we can start structuring the days again.

[QuestionMarkNow]

I get it and the nly way I found is to have a strict routine and having things I HAVE to do (Or rather things I have decide to make important for the sske of my MH iyswim).

Anything from some some talks on the internet, clearing cupboard, learning a bew skill or having a twice a week yoga class.
And being dressed ny 10.00am (would love it to be earlier but I cant)

[Tumbleweed101]

I’m still working but on about half the hours to usual. I’m feeling more motivated than usual because I’m not so tired trying to fit everything in and rushing about. I have the time to cook from scratch, time to do the house and garden and do stuff with the children. The weather being so nice has definitely helped though.

[Samtsirch]

Yes, today feels worse than ever as it’s raining.
I forced myself to flump out of bed earlier and waddle over to the excercise bike. I did 4 minutes and huffed off back to bed.
My partner has just brought me a cup of coffee and tentatively asked if he should run me a bath, bless him.
I told him where to go.
I think I will bin off today and start again tomorrow 🙂

[roarfeckingroar]

I usually really like my job but recently just cannot be arsed. Part of it is being pregnant and knackered I think. Maybe that's an excuse. I've taken it easy for two days so need to really use this weekend to motivate myself for next week.

[SpokeTooSoon]

I always think getting outdoors helps massively- even in bad weather OP. I find just seeing the world carrying on lifts my mood and gets me out of the doldrums. I know you don’t like walking in rubbish weather - couldn’t you just do it anyway? See if you get used to it? I don’t mean in the rain - I hate that too - just cloudy 14 degrees weather.

Get Radio 5Live on. It’s not all sport. Lots of live programmes with people chatting about lots of topics - but no music. It’s often amusing. Unlike Radio 4, which is quite serious and mainly pre-recorded programmes.

[SpokeTooSoon]

Your mental health is as important as your physical health. If you need to get in your car and drive somewhere different for a change of scenery. Do it. Ignore those who tell you going for a drive is murder. So many awful people coming out of the woodwork at the moment, same people who’d have been knitting at the guilottine. Do what you need to feel better.

[Bringringbring12]

No I don’t. It’s odd because on paper (single parent, both parents deceased, health worries) I perhaps shouldn’t be. But happy, settled and motivated. Long may it last.

[Time40]

don’t understand how people are motivated to go out and do exercise

Because you feel worse if you don't.

I think a big reason for loss of motivation is the lack of deadlines. As a pp said about her mum, what's the point of doing it now, because it can always be done tomorrow? That's quite a dangerous way to think, and will lead to everything sliding.

[Destinysdaughter]

Definitely. I live on my own and no one else is here to see if my house is a mess! It's very easy to put off jobs as I just think, oh well, I can do them tomorrow, what does it matter? I have good days and bad days tbh. I'm doing Pilates classes on Zoom which have worked well. I also write a list of jobs to do each morning to give myself a structure to the day. Even managed to mow the lawn yesterday!

However I spend way too much time on the sofa, online or watching TV. Really wished I had a flatmate as being alone for so long is hard. And sadly, my cat died this week which sent me into a spiral of grief for a few days in which I barely did anything.

[TwentyViginti]

In my 60s and being very slothful too. I want to sort my clothes out and ditch the ones that no longer fit, but the thought of bags of unwanted clothes sitting around because charity shops are closed is depressing. I miss browsing them too!

Like Goatymcgoaty I find traipsing round the same scenes misery making, and stopped going out at all.

[TwentyViginti]

Destinysdaughter what shit timing to lose your cat

[granadagirl]

Surely there’s only so much you have to do a day?

I’ve just been to Sainsburys to chemist and picked few bits up, stood in the cold outside is depressing , even walking round there your constantly dodging people. I just felt deflated coming out.
Weather as a big impact on my motivation always as done, I really need to dig deep and find it in me

I really don’t want those depression feelings of just sitting there and not wanting to move or do anything, it frightens me and fills me with fear.

The house is fairly clean always, apart from
Making bed, hoover and dust make lunch dinner and iron what’s more to do ?
God I’m even talking myself into depression now!!!

It’s just bloody started raining now

[Mammyloveswine]

I was but have rejoined slimming world and started having a daily walk ALONE every other day to get my 10,000 steps in! I love it! My bit me time! I'm lucky in that I can walk to a beautiful park and hall grounds! I put my music on and just love it!

We are going to redecorate too, starting with the living room tomorrow!

[LunaTheCat]

I am finding the lack of social contact very discombobulating ( love that word). Isolating with my husband and dogs but am really missing friends.
Exercise does help - I am walking but am missing swimming pool.
It is very odd but better than the alternative.

[Orangeblossom78]

I am finding aromatherapy quite helpful, just a bubble bath in the evening. Maybe walking somewhere different, might help. Mindfulness can help. I find it hard also though, trying not to turn to drinking / eating too much. Oh also not beating yourself up about being 'lazy' or whatever can help.

[Orangeblossom78]

Also missing swimming.

[SpokeTooSoon]

Are you computer literate OP? Can you FaceTime a friend? Or listen to a comedy podcast?

[TheITCloud]

None of you are crap. It’s a really difficult time.

I’ve been organising the house, a little bit at a time, so that it’s easier to find everything if we do get ill. This motivates me more than the thought of taking up hobbies, DIY, or having a strict routine. I do like indoor walking videos on You Tube though as I can just plod away.

[granadagirl]

The thing is I’m just getting myself back out there and getting motivation to do things after the winter months. I’m not a social person as such, I have bad anxiety which as a knock on effect for me socially. Worse as I’ve got older.

I can easily go down in my mood, and that scares 😱 I feel at the moment especially today that I’ve got up later, 2 cups coffe in bed then down and breakfast . not showered or washed hair got dressed, I felt a drop in my mood and thought get out! So off I went to Sainsburys, felt flat coming out

Just now come back from walk with partner, did do different area (I know !! But only 2 mile away in car) walked round, felt cold and flat just doing it for doing sake and wasn’t enjoying it one bit.
I’m panicking a bit and getting worried at the thought of me going down the depressed route again 😱
Can’t be arsed taking to partner today.

Maybe I’ll post in mh as well, see how/what others are managing and doing

[Sparklingbrook]

I have just been for a walk. It was damp and sweaty. 4978 steps. How rubbish. Now back on the sofa again.

[OnTheMoors]

Definitely. D's (13) doesn't want to go anywhere. We go to the small grasssd area once or twice a day with a football which is hurting my knees so much.
There is literally nothing to get out of bed for in the mornings. We have to be quiet for 8 hours while dh is working from home . Same thing day after day. The only things that motivate me are putting the washing machine on /mopping the floor and providing a nutritious breakfast.
My legs are killing me ! Stiff knees, restless legs.

[Fluffymulletstyle]

Ok so I'm not 60+ and slightly drowning with work/kids but I understand it is hard and I'm feeling for my mum in that Fe range who is isolated and has the small pleasures she enjoyed taken away. It can be hard for me to find time to check in with her when I'm juggling everything but I'm aware the days are long by yourself.

I would say have a think about what motivated you before all of this and what you want in the future. There will be a future, it feels so far away at the moment but we still need to dream!

If you hate going outside in the cold, don't force it. You mentioned you've previously did pilates - great exercise, find an online routine or DVD and make yourself do that twice a week instead. Think about why you are doing pilates- is it to stay strong because you want to feel fit/ go on a walking holiday etc

You mentioned garden centres. What is it you like about garden centres? Planning your garden? You could order online or just make plans for the future. Meeting friends for coffee? Arrange a telephone/Skype call where you both have coffee/cake. I'm not getting a sense of many social contacts apart from your partner. Who would you normally socialise with?

There is a lot to be said for trying to find some familiarity from your old life in this new strange world...

[granadagirl]

It’s mainly my mood that motivates me !

I did start do Pilates a couple of days, just not the same as in a class at all
It’s not as inspiring to me

Yes looked at plants online, there so expensive and delivery charge on top

Friends, I have none ! I have bad social anxiety
also the biggest impact I’ve come to the conclusion off is in past years I’ve always been used by what I’ve thought of as friends I’m a giver and friends have taken.

The more I think/write about myself the more bad I feel about my life. But this is me.
I do have low motivation issues and i do like me time sometimes.
Time I accepted this, and not make it into an issue pulling myself down.

We’re all different x

[Fluffymulletstyle]

That sounds tough op. It does seem like these are longer term issues coming to a head in lockdown perhaps?

Don't feel bad about your life, but equally don't suffer on silence. See your gp if you continue to struggle.