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.

@Mascotte I feel good for having had a shower yes.

Also washed the dishes now.
Next need to dry my hair as I feel cold.

@Terralee - it's funny isn't it? I always wonder why I can't motivate myself to do stuff that makes me feel so much better when I've done it. Glad you felt better after the shower.

I've got a busy day today - weekly shop and also have to take some curtains to the laundrette and move some heavy pieces of furniture to do some deep cleaning. But feeling more motivated than I have in days, so hope it lasts until I've done all these.

3 things
curtains to laundrette
move furniture and hoover/dust/polish
do weekly shop

Sounds like a lot to do!

I'm meeting my mum at 1230 for a socially distant walk.
I'm washed & dressed but got to put on some facial sun lotion & makeup then make a sandwich & clean my teeth.

I've also got to phone work to explain that I've been signed off for 3 weeks which will be awkward so I'm putting it off..

I've done the curtains at the laundrette - felt like a major achievement as they were really old and grubby. Took so long to dry that DH did the weekly shop.
Having a break now then got to move all the furniture and do a deep clean but I'm looking forward to how much better the bedroom will look after a bit of TLC - it's the most neglected room in the house.

Well done all! I went and did my c25k and planted plants, did washing... agsin this thread made me get up and get on!

I'm the same. Although I've been like this for ages, since before lockdown.

Well done on your C25K @Mascotte. I'm impressed.

I moved the furniture, did the deep clean and then made a beef and onion pie for tea so felt like a productive day.

@missbunnyrabbit me too.

I'm planning to have a shower in a minute.

I've definitely got to have one tomorrow morning as it's my uncle's funeral in the afternoon.

I'm hoping to get back to daily showers & cleaning teeth twice a day. So embarrassing to admit I haven't been doing that.

Hi everyone,
How are you all doing? I had a good day yesterday, after a not very good start since starting this thread.

Managed to rehang the clean curtains, go for a walk, run a few errands and oil most of the garden furniture, then cooked a healthy dinner with roast salmon and lots of veg. Also got hold of the Pillars of Self Esteem book someone recommended on another thread and have started the exercises in it. I recommend it.

Slept until 9am apart from a short bit of insomnia between 5-6am where I got up but came back to bed. I've had really bad insomnia recently so sleeping from midnight to 9am with just one hour break was fantastic. I feel so much better.
Showered and washed hair and done exercises from the book, been for a short walk. Nothing else so far but plan to:

• mow the lawn that never got mowed last week and is now half way to my knees.
• finishing oiling the furniture
• teach DS1 how to make veggie curry

Just me then? Hope you are all OK and getting stuff done but if you are having bad days - and - I know how hard they are.

Good day here. Sunshine makes a lot of difference to me. Mowed the lawn, oiled the furniture, made a curry, went for a very short walk into the village, finally changed our bedlinen.

Hello.. I was busy yesterday but quite lazy today though I've done washing and stuff. Have a busy day tomorrow as I have work... shock to the system just now!

@Mascotte - yes sudden days of work are a bit of a shock! I had a week of work in the middle of lockdown and was exhausted by it! But almost nothing since.

Today I wanted to get some online jobs done - claiming Gov grant for self-employed, ordering a few presents for birthdays etc. Done them already, didn't take long, so now I am trying to re-motivate myself to do something more active. Could do with a long walk...

I managed to have a shower yesterday morning before my uncles funeral which shows I can motivate myself when necessary so I will try harder now.

But I'm really paranoid at present so got to get help for that.

@Terralee - sorry about your uncle. Hope the funeral went smoothly. Hope you can get help with the paranoia - does CBT help at all? I found it useful. I've been trying to try harder too, I got so used to not making an effort because I felt too tired or low to do anything.

Today I sorted out the government grant application, ordered some birthday presents for family and a present for a colleague who helped out with something big, did a food shop, went for a walk with DS2, cooked dinner, had a Zoom meeting and a bath.

What a great thread! I've really enjoyed reading it. I might join you

@Terralee sounds like you need help.. can you access services and ask ?

I need this thread to kick me into gear for tomorrow... lots of admin things to do, collect prescription and C25K agsin..I've been lax.

Terralee so sorry about your Uncle

monkeyonthetable you've achieved a lot today. Well done!

thank you @wildthingsinthenight. I am trying really hard to push myself to do things I usually have no energy for.

So far today - ordered new blind for window which has had the same broken blind, left by the previous owners, since we moved in 14 years ago.

Half dressed (PJ bottoms still on ), hair brushed and mascara on so I don't look like a bleached banshee

Today I'm in meetings for four hours which is intensive and exhausting so will go fairly easy on myself apart from that.

I will also: teach DS2 how to cook paella as he has asked to be chef tonight and that's a recipe he wants to learn

Will go for a walk too

That's enough for today: blind order, walk, work and helping DS cook.

Anyone else want to make a small list and be nudged to get on with it?

Thanks all, my uncles funeral was a good send off for him although it was upsetting.

I've phoned the cmht & they will email my psychiatrist.
I had a hallucination last night as well.

I've got to have a shower today which is my main plan.

I had a shower and washed my hair and I'm dressed (just) with make up on. This is a big deal
We've had lunch and I've tidied a basket. I feel exhausted now.
Hope everyone is having a good day!

Well done @wildthingsinthenight

The psychiatrist has prescribed me some lorazepam to take the edge off the paranoia, not sure about taking it.
I've washed my face so far...

Well done all!

I've been motivated by you guys to do some chores so feeling ok.

@Terralee take it. I've been prescribed diazepam and definitely takes the edge off my most anxious moments.

@Terralee that sounded overly bossy... sorry!

Terralee give it a go.
Fingers crossed it helps you