Please tell me what to do during my day to keep motivated

[nevertakeadvicefromsomeonewhosfallingapart]

I've been struggling with seasonal (and long term) depression, but trying to fight my way out of it. I really struggle to motivate myself to do things though. I tend to sit down with my phone and spend hours wasting time on mn and playing games, then feel down because I've wasted so much time!

Can you help me out together a list of things to do, a sort of schedule to keep me busy?

My only hobby really is reading. I listen to music all day. I suffer with fibromyalgia, so being active isn't always easy. I've no children at home, live alone with my cat.

At the moment all I'm doing is getting washed, having breakfast, washing up, maybe doing laundry/hoovering/ironing/clean the litter tray. I try to do a bit of gardening, but am struggling physically with that at the moment, as well as not being motivated!

I've got a few things to list on Vinted/eBay. I was journaling, but it's fallen by the wayside. I used to draw a bit, although I'm not very good, but haven't done that for ages, as I got annoyed with not being good enough. I've been meaning to do a bit of yoga at home, but again struggling with motivation, especially when just getting on the floor and back up is such a struggle these days.

I feel I should be doing much more.

How about setting yourself projects. For example reading all novels by a particular author. Another thing you could do is start a drawing project and set up an instagram account to share the drawings. This might encourage you to keep drawing and you might strike up conversations with other people on instagram doing similar drawings.

Thank you for your reply.

Of the authors I like I've more or less read all their books, but its a good idea and I will search to see if I've missed some.

I used to post a daily drawing on insta, stopped a few years ago, so that's a very good idea, I'll start that again.

There are loads of free online courses on offer in any subject that interests you
Also yoga is great as you just do what you can with no pressure

Go for a walk. It is so good for your mental health. Even just a 5 minute stroll to the end of the street would be helpful.
Try new recipes. Read some non fiction about something you are interested in.
I've been where you are minus the fibromyalgia. I wish you well ❤️

Not quite the same but I have a broken ankle at the moment. Live alone and work from home. Normally I am quite active but I've been struggling massively the past few weeks being stuck in and not seeing anyone.

I've been trying to set myself a timetable. So an hours reading, then scrabble on the computer, then I do an hours learning French. Then I do a bit of stretching. Then cry for a bit () etc etc

It's all totally pointless and artificial but it kind of keeps me motivated until the day ends and I can go to bed.

Could you get out to meet other people? Maybe join a writers group or find one online. Sometimes they have journalling courses that you might enjoy. Or join a book club at your local library or online if not possible to get out. I find interaction with others helpful for my mental health as well as some exercise.
I have seen some chair exercise classes online which would be more doable than trying to get down on a mat. Is there a support group for depression you could access?
Maybe getting a whiteboard in your room with 3 things you hope to achieve that day would motivate you and there would be a sense of achievement at ticking them off one by one.
Gardening in pots is often easier than struggling with flower beds etc. If they could be kept at a good height for accessing from a chair it might be fun especially as the nice weather approaches. It's always good to get some sunlight so even walking a few times in your garden a couple of times a day.
Is there anything you could do for a local charity from home? So help with their social media or do correspondence?

You sound like you have many interests so sometimes taking pressure off yourself makes it easier to actually do something..if that makes sense.

You could join a book club. Im with an online one and they have a FB group and they do a zoom meeting once a month. It really cheers me up. Its not my group but if you wanted to join i can ask the organiser. DM me if you're interested.

I'd go for way smaller things. Rather than "do yoga", I'd go for doing a downward dog! Or if I had a bit more energy, one set of Sun Salutation. If getting up and down from the floor is a struggle, would doing arm and shoulder circles and stretches be an option?

I have a painting that I started years ago and will be getting back to soon. I'm not painting anything. It's a cheap canvas and I mix paint colours and paint them on. I'm not trying to paint and I'm in no way a painter. I find it relaxing to play with colours. We always think of painting something but removing that goal is actually quite nice.

I find a walk is always helpful. And I always find that I only remember her that after I've been on one! 😂 And I don't mean a hike! I mean even a walk around the block. Not sure how that would be for you?

Sorry can't help on the schedule itself. I do find that writing a list of things I need/want to do every day can be good. Including things like "shower" abd "brush teeth" because when I see them crossed off it makes me feel I've already achieved something! 😂

You don't mention other people. Do you have friends or family you can see a few times a week, or even call? Setting aside time to have contact with other people can be quite important.

Don't be too hard on yourself. The important thing is to keep taking meds and engaging with any CBT offered.

You will get better.

One thing to try is to go out for a walk each day. Even if it's down to the shop, or to the corner of the road. Look around, notice nature etc

Get outside. It’s the best way I’ve found.
also I cold water dip. Started off in the local stream and now have a tub in the garden so I can dip most days and then straight into a hot bath. It’s amazing - it’s like it resets my whole body and I got from lethargic and angst ridden to feeling like I can tackle anything. Feeling lasts a few hours.

Thank you everyone 😊

I couldn't cold dip, nowhere clean enough to swim in near here! And I can't afford a garden tub.

I do walk most days, at least a little.

I can't do downward dog due to my fibromyalgia. Getting down in my knees is a no go.

I do see friends and family several times a week and speak on the phone in the other days.

I like the idea of painting just for the sake of colour rather then being good at it, but I don't have a dining table or easel or indeed much space.

adult mediation colouring books? Could u perhaps be a telephone befriender too. I’m sure there plenty of people who would love a chat that are lonely.

This time of year when the weather is wobbly, on my days off I alternate between something nice, lunch or an hour with my feet up reading, and an hour's exercise (a walk or a cycle ride when not raining) or an hour of spring cleaning.

For spring cleaning I choose a room and do an hour at a time. Take the curtains down and wash them, wash any marks off the walls and skirtings, move the furniture & hoover, touch up the paint where needed.

The satisfaction feels good. And keep the list somewhere visible, so the column of satisfying ticks grows. 🙂

Try some free online games, I used to play scrabble on an app with a friend who lived overseas.