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.

I've had a shower, washed my hair and am about to blow dry it for the first time in weeks. I'm going to go for a bike ride today, do some laundry and force the other adults in my house to play monopoly with me tonight instead of playing Call of Duty online all evening while I binge watch Netflix alone.

Hoping some "meaningful" adult interaction and an activity that doesn't make me feel like a 1950s housewife is going to help.

Well done to all of your rocking your lists today!!

I'm going to use this thread to keep track of myself, if that's ok. Good luck to everyone! Small steps in the right direction is a great start.

I've put the washing out.
Had my second breakfast
Currently breastfeeding baby to sleep (hopefully)

Need to put another wash on, to take advantage of the lovely weather
Also need to brush teeth. (Did manage to brush teeth & properly wash face last night before bed, which I don't always)

Done:

Load of dark washing in
Emptied dishwasher
Loaded dishwasher again and put on (large family)
Sorted dough for 2nd prove
Made lunch for 4 younger ones
Made and eaten my lunch

I've only managed "all" this because the baby cooperated and went to sleep 🤪

...and I've finally changed my username from the unusable "user147......." to this!

How are you doing, @monkeyonthetable (and everyone else)?

Hi,
I've tidied the kitchen, wiped down surfaces and swept
Been for a long walk with DH

But not done the three things on my list. I am at work from 1.30-5 online, but can do arms and paperwork right now and mow the lawn after work.
Thanks for keeping tabs on me!

That's more than I'm doing, I've been very depressed this last week, I'm getting fatter and fatter and can't not have a beer every day. Pathetic.

Hello, all and thanks op! I've been in a flurry of activity.. I'm always better once I get going. It's the initial lethargy that's hard to get over when it seems pointless.

So, I did my C25K, popped to shop for something I had to get but couldn't be arsed, emptied the dishwasher, tinted my eyebrows and painted toenails!

@Ingridla you are not alone. And I'm frustrated with myself as I'd started a proper fitness campaign before all this. But I feel so fed up and lonely, snd desperate to get our, that I lapse into doing nothing and stinking wine at night. That's why I thought I'd join this thread

Drinking wine! Not stinking

@Mascotte fed up & lonely club we are, it's like a lid closing in on me, just unending doom, I've upped my antidepressants a bit. Sending you a big hug 🤗 xx

Can I join too please! Am also finding myself getting up, thinking I'll quickly check emails then still there at dinner time! Have had to up my anti depressants and am sliding into a lethargic mess. Tomorrow I want to sort the upstairs, move some dry stone walling and lift the old hay out the horses paddock. I will report back!

Thanks, @Ingridla 😊

I think this thread is helping with the motivation a bit.

I put 2 things on my list earlier:

• fold clothes
• put more clothes in washing machine

I have managed to do both! Woohoo! It was a sad little list but at least it's something I guess.
pretends rest of house doesn't exist and ignores bombed kitchen

Can you timetable it in? So it’s like work. Just half an hour of something. And set an alarm on your phone.

@MrsBromeliad - of course, join in. Welcome to our laundry heaps and half finished projects .

How did everyone do yesterday?
I wasn't great. Didn't do 2/3 of the things on my list, but I was leading Skype meetings for 3.5 hours with no break which is exhausting, and I did a tiny bit of hoovering (half the stairs ), went for a walk and ordered a takeaway which DC wanted and we haven't had in ages.

Today's a slightly better start. Wide awake at 5.30 so got up and did some journalling and tried to plan my day a bit which made me feel brighter.
Had bath and washed hair
Off to shops now

Later:
Will mow lawn
Change beds
Spend an hour doing a module of an online course I'm signed up to
Go for a walk.

I'm now actually looking forward to today. Was feeling so bleh yesterday. Thanks for joining in - it helps the motivation.

What are you all up to today.

Hi @immrmeeseeks - welcome too. And everyone else who has piled in. Welcome. Let's get a few things done we'd otherwise not get done. Just that.

Morning all! I'm having quite a lazy day but have done some washing.

Tasks are to vacuum DCs room and put the nice clean sheets on there.
I'm also trying an online course so I'll do some of that.
Decide where my new plants should go.

I want to have a shower but feel to low to be motivated by the effort. I've got an hour before my sister visits so could do it now...

Fed the cat twice.

Put in a load of washing.

Ate lunch just chilled snacks.

Failed today, got asked to do a last minute night shift last night so not much achieved! Have done two loads of washing and tidied bedroom but now counting the minutes until bedtime! Well done all those productive people today and tomorrow's another day for us that just didn't have the mental or physical energy today.

@immrmeeseeks - I think 2 washloads and some tidying on top of a nightshift is admirable!

@Terralee - how did it go? Did you manage that shower? My mantra when I feel like that is: you don't have to want to, you just have to do it. doesn't always work but it usually gets me showered and dressed.

I didn't manage the shower just felt too low. Will definitely try in the morning

I've had a shower, cleaned my teeth, just got to do my nails & wash the dishes from yesterday

@Terralee feeling good? It's great to have this thread. I'm actually feeling might do better now. Tomorrow I'm going to:
Do C25k
Cook a healthy tea
Put my clothes away - still haven't done it 😳

Hi

I spent most of today in bed feeling under the weather but crawled out for a late lunch then stayed up and dressed to put away three laundry mountains and clean the bathroom which has black mould. But grim but at least it was worthwhile.

Now off to roast a chicken and make a crumble as requested by DC.