can't motivate myself to do anything - please give me a nudge

[monkeyonthetable]

I wake up every morning and have zero motivation for anything. There are loads of things I'd like to do or could do but I seem to have an invisible block stopping me from actually doing any of them. I found it hard enough this morning to just have a bath and get dressed. Weirdly, the stuff I most want to do is even harder to get motivated about.

I am managing a walk most days, a bit of cooking, shared with DH and the bare minimum housework. But even the house seems so perpetually grubby from having everyone home all the time, and I don't have energy to clean, only to see it undone within 24 hours.

I feel like I need someone to tell me: do this now. I just can't find the ignition myself.

Anyone feel the same? Or have advice? or fancying telling me what to get started on? I know it seems silly but it is really dragging me down and making me feel deeply self-critical. Slippery slope.

Morning all! It’s a lovely sunny morning here. I’m trying to cut down on my aimless browsing on line so just came on to give my list for today. Went out in the garden instead first thing and found we had lots of ripe strawberries and some sweet peas so I’ve picked both.

My tasks for today are: return package to M&S, recycle plastic and try to return library book. If not I’ll list something on eBay.

frogs sorry to hear MH team weren’t helpful. Thinking of you. Have you got some small goals for today?

@SingingBabooshkaBadly Welcome! Come and join in. We are listing 3 small tasks to do each day. Also give yourself a treat for getting them done even if it’s just something small like a cup of coffee when you report back. What do you think is holding you back from what you want to do?

@Terralee Sounds like a good plan to gradually build up your fitness. Make sure you’re eating well too.

Have a good days and here’s a pile of nudges for all!

Morning all. Welcome those who joined just after me. Good luck with your daily tasks.

Sorry about the MH people @NotanotherboxofFrogs - I can't say I'm surprised, but I always hope others will have a better experience with them.

I've had a pretty bad night, and feeling pretty bad so far today. Must keep slogging. I'll have a support phone call later on today, and though I'm not really in the mood, there's always the chance it'll cheer me up a bit.

Tasks today:

• The supermarket. We need food.
• Eat enough. I'm suddenly back to my lowest weight of the year this morning despite regular meal times.
• Do some yoga and/or stretches.

I haven't really come up with any treats for myself for doing things, to be honest. I can't think of anything I'd particularly enjoy?

Ugh, sorry to spam. Completely forgot to say that I got all my tasks done yesterday. I was especially pleased I forced myself to contact some friends, as it was good (and not overwhelming) to exchange some catch up messages. And by coincidence a more distant friend happened to get in touch with me, too. Someone I don't often talk with these days, but like very much.

The plan for taking Lorazepam when back at work fell through as my sister said I sounded drunk on it & would get sent home like that.
So I've phoned the MH team & my psychiatrist has done a different prn prescription which I have to collect & try tomorrow.
That means I'll need to shower tonight or tomorrow morning & travel on the bus tomorrow.

I got a letter about my sickness review yesterday so I was a bit depressed & didn't have a shower or exercise or cook properly.
I did wash the dishes as I had no glasses left!!

Today I had a wash & went for a walk. I'm going to cook a baked potato later.

Hi everyone

So glad I found this thread as it’s exactly how I’ve being feeling.
My ex left me for a OW so now it’s just me and two dc and dd.
I’ve recently gone on to 100 my of sertraline so I’m hoping that kicks in soon.

Today I have :
Got some work done
Had a bath
Done my hair and make up
Washed the pots
Put a clothes on line to dry

I’ve bought a to do list so I’m going to try and start using that

@Terralee - Hi sounds like you're having a rough time of it but good on you. I'm impressed.

I had a shower and washed my hair today (first time in weeks), put some washing on and got rid of a desk and chair from my bedroom. Progress for me.

Good luck with your appointment tomorrow

hi everyone esp new people and sorry to hear so many of us are having a tough time.
I sort if did my 3 yesterday, didn't get the washing sorted but did get twice as much coursework done so that's something. Sitting in garden now with book and g and t. brain feels totally overwhelmed. can't work out what if anything to do re holiday in summer (due to be camping in France for a week). found half term hard enough, dreading the 6 weeks...

went to work today and sorted phone so have got stuff done...

take care

Thanks for the welcome

@ejecoms you asked if I knew what was holding me back from doing things. I think just my low mood coupled with low physical energy. One issue with DH’s Parkinson’s is that he suffers from terrible sleeplessness which has a knock on effect on me - can’t remember the last time either of us got a proper night’s sleep. Then I find it hard to get going in the mornings. I can’t seem to get on top of the house and I think I feel guilty doing something like an art project, reading or studying if the house isn’t under control though weirdly I seem feel less guilty sitting around doing nothing! Riddle me that... I also get interrupted a lot when I do try to do things as DH needs so much help (he is lovely so that helps 😊).

Then I end up feeling guilty for feeling down when so many others are in a worse situation.

Have put together three things for tomorrow:

Write to a friend.
Weed the garden
Tackle some ironing (if not too hot...)

Wishing everyone a happier, more productive day tomorrow.

My win for today, I made food. Smoked haddock baked in foil, Mediterranean vegetables, onion rings and wedges, 2 Pyrex dishes into the oven for 25 minutes. That's the first thing I have eaten since Friday, I will run the dishwasher later just to not let the stuff build up.

I'm getting a lot of sleep which won't do any harm. Kittens are being adorable, both slept on top of me this afternoon on the sofa. Tomorrow is another day.

Morning everyone.

That's great about the meal NotanotherboxofFrogs - I hope it tasted nice, too.

2/3 to me yesterday. I got the shopping done, and I did the physio. The eating was a bit less great. I think I'm eating small portions again, mainly because still feel quite nauseated (meds withdrawal?) and have some other stomach issues (bulimia related?). My BMI is normal, so it's not a worry, but I'm supposed to be trying to maintain my weight, not lose.

Today's three:

• Go for a walk.
• Be in touch with a family member, whose birthday it is.
• Send off weekly therapy stuff before tomorrow's phone session.

Morning. Hope everyone is feeling a little more motivated. I find it is very up and down day to day. I didn’t get the chance to do my jobs yesterday but did clean out some cupboards instead. I’ll try to carry on with those today.

frogs food sounds delicious!

@SingingBabooshkaBadly it sounds like a difficult situation. I also was holding myself back from doing things because I felt the house had to be under control before I did anything and so I was stuck. Now I’m trying to do things anyway and actually it’s motivating me to keep the house under control a bit more (not much more though!). Don’t let the mess hold you back!

Morning all
Today I was up and dressed with make up as my ex brought my kids back this morning. So far I have set up a plan for my dd school work, done done work, washed the pots & made poached egg on toast.
Ideally, today I would like to :
Write a food shop list
Do the food shop
Sort washing out
Do some Yoga

I’ve started taking the following supplements too, to hopefully give me some energy. -
Vitamin c
Vitamin b
Since
Reset Elixir
And iron tablets as I am aneamic but haven’t being taking my tablets.

I’ve gotta a cross trainer that being collecting dust for weeks now but I just can’t bring myself to do it!
That shall be next weeks challenge!

Morning all. My three things
clean sinks and loos
go for walk
send unwanted clothes back via post office
coursework.

It's gone very quiet round here

@colouringindoors - sorry - I think that may be my fault for joining. I have form as a thread killer.

Have you made any progress on your three things today? I haven’t, but I’ve done other things at least. And of course, the day’s not over yet...

Sorry @colouringindoors. I am dealing with a family crisis - had to rush off to the other end of the country at short notice. Will be back, but not for several days, probably.

not a criticism, more observation...
monkey sorry to hear that, take care x

babooshka that's usually me

I'm a bit of a thread killer too. Must change my user name! Glad it's not just me.

I think we joined about the same time @guardsman18 didn’t we? We can take joint responsibility.

Hello! Perhaps we were lacking motivation to even post on the thread! I haven’t got my jobs done the last 2 days... today I must send a card to my nephew, put the bins out and buy some Marigolds!

Morning. I've definitely had a lack of motivation for anything this morning - including trying to come up with three things to do. Just feeling low and randomly emotional over stuff that really doesn't matter.

I got my three things done yesterday, so that's something. Let's see... Today I'll try to... ummm...

• Do at least a bit of yoga/stretching
• Do some reading
• Do some laundry, and fold away the stuff that's been clean and dry since the weekend...

Hi all, sorry I just needed a few days to try and get my head together.

Spending time and having a wee chat with my best friend earlier in the week lifted my mood a little. And Iv also had a counselling session which went ok. Last night I felt like I was coming out the other side of this major slump but today I’m struggling again. ☹️

@monkeyonthetable
I hope everything will be ok. Thinking of you

@NotanotherboxofFrogs
Well done on managing your meal. Have you eaten anything the last couple of days?

My day started ok and I had breakfast and exercised and hung washing out. Now I’m in a slump.

I think got rest of the day I will try and

1. Do some gardening
2. Wash my bike
3. Actually open the email and start the workshop/course I signed up for which started on Monday.

Good luck to everyone today

Not been on here for a few days. Really got stuck into the house in the last week.
I'm ashamed to say I'm a hoarder and when I'm manic I make unnecessary online purchases.
I've (well my sons did most of the work) just got rid of a van full of junk to the tip. I'm giving away a lot of flat pack furniture still in its boxes and a sofa bed to a charity.
With the help of my dd, I've bagged up 10 charity bags of clothes and shoes and she's busy taking photos of designer clothes to sell online.
I've about twenteen billion books to get rid of another day. I'm absolutely pooped but relieved to have finally made a start.
And extra bonus is dd is cooking the tea. (I've still not eaten a proper meal in weeks.)