No motivation for life

tcnoble · February 2015

Is anyone else in this kind of slump??? I have no motivation to do anything after work. I'm a teacher, so by the end of the day my brain is exhausted and I want to do nothing but watch Netflix and shut myself off. Earlier in the year I would go ride my horse a few times a week, walk the dog, etc. Now? I can't bring myself to do much of anything. I don't want to work out. I don't want to ride. I just want to not have to think.

We are 7 weeks out from the wedding so I think some of it is just the daunting tasks I have to complete.

So mostly I'm just tired and want to whine. And drink wine. How do you jump start your motivation again??? Or do you just sometimes need these periods of nothing-ness??

Jen4948 · February 2015

Yes. I feel like that. Especially during tax season when I have to work really late and on the weekends.

I usually just do nothing during such times and wait for my motivation to come back on its own.

walkingtowork · February 2015

I'm a teacher, too, and I think this part of the year is hard. My wedding is coming up, too, and I think that I have just so much to do that I feel overwhelmed. I feel like it's a temporary feeling and as the weather warms up, I'll feel better. Hope you do too.

princessleia22 · February 2015

Yep... I'm there too. Except I'm finding it hard to stay motivated at work too. I don't think I'm depressed or anything, I just don't want to do anything.

thisismynickname2 · February 2015

I think part of it is just being winter. I get the blahs too. But, I just ride it out. When spring comes, I'll be raring to go on my usual activities. Nothing wrong with nothingness, so long as you aren't actually neglecting important things. The dishes can wait, work deadlines probably can't.

sal2015 · February 2015

I know how you feel. Even just folding the laundry and doing the dishes sounds like way too much after a day at work. I hope it's just winter for me. I've been feeling very down lately. My mind is exhausting itself with work and just thinking and worrying about things I don't need to be thinking about instead of motivating me to do things!

Blergbot · February 2015

Try scheduling something in advance. I have to do that for working out, otherwise I won't do it, so I go to classes. Can you set up some times to go riding in advance so. That you don't back out? Schedule a girls night out. Otherwise, don't beat yourself up about it. It's winter and you've got a big event looming. Give yourself a break.

firebabe6519 · February 2015

I'm in that same bleh phase too. I just don't want to do anything after work because I'm exhausted and tired of dealing with idiots. I would rather stay home, watch a good movie, and take a nap.

500days · February 2015

I agree with @Blergbot. I have to force myself to go out and do things, because the motivation is just not there in the winter. Part of it is the weather- with snow I never know if things will get cancelled or if I have to shovel. Don't worry, I'm sure your motivation will come back full force.

ohannabelle · February 2015

February blahs. It just keeps raining, and it rained yesterday, and it'll rain tomorrow. I'm in a horrible slump.

My old cat died today. So I'm not just in a slump but a bawling like a baby slump, and now I have a beet red sore face. I want pie, but can't go to the store looking like this.

Sad, ugly, and I need large amounts of sugar.

parkera92 · February 2015

I've been in a really bad depression since the beginning of January. I just graduated from college and moved out of my home state to be with my formerly long distance boyfriend. I don't ever regret my decision, but I don't know anyone here really. It's got me pretty down and I take it out on him. I don't have any friends to talk to and I hate my shitty job here. Life just feels miserable for me right now. I've got credit card debt and student loans I have to eventually start paying and I just feel like life is swallowing me whole! I wake up to go to work, and then I come home and get right back in bed. My bed is basically where I spend all of my time.

I just don't know what to do.

CMGragain · February 2015

parkera92 said:

I've been in a really bad depression since the beginning of January. I just graduated from college and moved out of my home state to be with my formerly long distance boyfriend. I don't ever regret my decision, but I don't know anyone here really. It's got me pretty down and I take it out on him. I don't have any friends to talk to and I hate my shitty job here. Life just feels miserable for me right now. I've got credit card debt and student loans I have to eventually start paying and I just feel like life is swallowing me whole! I wake up to go to work, and then I come home and get right back in bed. My bed is basically where I spend all of my time.

I just don't know what to do.

Go to a doctor! There are some good medications that just might help you. Depression is often a physical issue. Please call your doctor tomorrow and show him what you just wrote!

parkera92 · February 2015

CMGragain said:

parkera92 said:

I've been in a really bad depression since the beginning of January. I just graduated from college and moved out of my home state to be with my formerly long distance boyfriend. I don't ever regret my decision, but I don't know anyone here really. It's got me pretty down and I take it out on him. I don't have any friends to talk to and I hate my shitty job here. Life just feels miserable for me right now. I've got credit card debt and student loans I have to eventually start paying and I just feel like life is swallowing me whole! I wake up to go to work, and then I come home and get right back in bed. My bed is basically where I spend all of my time.

I just don't know what to do.

Go to a doctor! There are some good medications that just might help you. Depression is often a physical issue. Please call your doctor tomorrow and show him what you just wrote!

I'm searching for one now. I'm hoping I can get in contact with them tomorrow.

porkchops926 · February 2015

I've had depression since I was 13 and it seems to go in waves. But yeah, I'm in a terribly slump right now just like you. I have all these things that need to get done and my reaction to it is to just curl up in a ball and try and make it go away. I feel you.

This past week I've been forcing myself to work out twice a day. It is the last thing I want to do, but it does improve the tiredness and hopelessness. So I will force myself by saying "you can't play grand theft auto and watch your tv shows until you finish"

I think these "periods of nothingness" are pretty natural, in the winter at least. Sometimes you just need it for a while, but if you let it go on too long it will consume you. Give yourself a week or two, and then force yourself into some physical activity. I know a lot of people will recommend anti-depressants, which of course are a viable solution and in many cases help a great deal. I've just had so many bad physical reactions to the 10-12 medications that I've tried, that I'm trying to do it the natural way until something that works better for me comes along.

cupcait927 · February 2015

@ohannabelle I'm so sorry about your cat. Lots of hugs - it's never easy losing a pet.

doeydo · February 2015

@ohannabelle I am so sorry for your loss. Eat all the sugar you need, girl.

ohannabelle · February 2015

I think we're all suffering from winter.

Vitamin D supplements for everyone.

climbingsingle · February 2015

Annabelle, I'm so sorry about your cat.

I always tend to lose all motivation in the winter. As soon as work is over, I just want to drive home and lay in bed. I've even lost motivation to cook dinner. I don't want to put any effort into it. On the weekends, it's so cold that I don't even want to leave the house. I'm perfectly happy staying in sweats all day, cleaning and reading.

tcnoble · February 2015

I wish I had the "it's winter" excuse... it's been in the 70s the last few days here in Vegas. So it's not the weather! I do hate how it gets dark so early... it makes it hard to stay out and do something when it's dark by 5:30. I miss long evenings!

I've been eating crappy lately as a result of stress so I think that has something to do with it.. going to try and clean up the diet a little and hope I get some more energy.

I'm comforted by everyone else in the slump, though. Glad to know I'm not alone!

mrsjhodge · February 2015

I'm definitely in a motivation slump. I'm blaming it on early pregnancy tiredness (it's supposed to get better in the 2nd trimester though). I'm unmotivated at work, and by the time I get home I just want ketchup chips and bed.

princessleia22 · February 2015

tcnoble said:

I wish I had the "it's winter" excuse... it's been in the 70s the last few days here in Vegas. So it's not the weather! I do hate how it gets dark so early... it makes it hard to stay out and do something when it's dark by 5:30. I miss long evenings!

I've been eating crappy lately as a result of stress so I think that has something to do with it.. going to try and clean up the diet a little and hope I get some more energy.

I'm comforted by everyone else in the slump, though. Glad to know I'm not alone!

Yeah, I'm in the same boat. I'm in Phoenix, so it's 80+ degrees and sunny... therefore no bad winter weather excuses for the slump. And it makes me sad that I'm too unmotivated to even go outside and enjoy the wonderful weather. I keep saying I need to take the dogs out to the park or something since it's so nice, but haven't done it yet because that requires actually getting up and doing something.

For me, I think some of it is related to medication changes I had at end of December. I stopped a pain med, that also can double as an anti-depressant, so I think I'm having some longer lasting withdraw effects on my mood... which wasn't totally unexpected. But, I just feel like my brain is fuzzy most days... not sad or depressed, just not motivated to do anything and I have trouble focusing on tasks. I keep thinking I just need to wait it out and it will get better. I've been trying to push myself to exercise more. I've been going to physical therapy (twice a week), yoga class (1-3 times a week), or doing exercise at home (just started PiYo videos), so I'm doing some type of exercise at least every other day, but I really have to force myself to do it. I feel better immediately afterward, but it's short lived. I'm trying to find the motivation to do it everyday, knowing it will help physically and mentally, but it's hard.

ElcaB · February 2015

Like many others, I'm also in a winter slump. I can't even bring myself to shave my legs or repaint my toenails, which are things I normally do regularly but seem like way too much effort now.

Honestly, after so long of vegging out the best thing you can do for yourself is to force yourself to do stuff. I made myself take my dog for a walk yesterday, fold laundry, cook, and clean up. I didn't feel very happy about it while I did it, but knowing I was semi-productive makes me feel so much better today. Set a goal, like "Today I will do my taxes/clean the bathroom/go for a walk/be productive for 30 minutes!" And then, after those 30 minutes, if you want to go back to doing nothing, that's fine.

The good news is, Daylight Saving Time is in 26 days & I feel like as soon as it happens I will be much less lethargic and blues-y.

KatieinBkln · February 2015

tcnoble said:

I wish I had the "it's winter" excuse... it's been in the 70s the last few days here in Vegas. So it's not the weather! I do hate how it gets dark so early... it makes it hard to stay out and do something when it's dark by 5:30. I miss long evenings!

I've been eating crappy lately as a result of stress so I think that has something to do with it.. going to try and clean up the diet a little and hope I get some more energy.

I'm comforted by everyone else in the slump, though. Glad to know I'm not alone!

It's not just the cold--it's the light! Shorter days in and of themselves can trigger depression (or just "the blahs").

I'm feeling similarly, although my slumping can be partially attributed to being on my period this week. I do all the things I need to do, but I just feel whiny and it's a huge effort. Doesn't help that I have STDs looming over me, and if I don't get them done soon it won't be worth doing them at all...

Chipmunk415 · February 2015

Its not snowing in north Florida, but between the wind and the cold temps with overcast skies, I wish we had something to show for it. My awesome coworker and I joke that our "give a shit" meters are broken.

Im trying to finish a scarf for her that has been lovingly christened the giveashit babushka- joke relating to not giving a shit until face and head are wrapped up like you are standing in a russian snowstorm so the person bothering you does not see the look of disdain on your face at having to give a shit

FiancB · February 2015

I am oddly unmotivated too. I have a horse as well and I have to force myself to go ride her. I like riding, I feel better after I ride, but somehow the calling of the couch is irresistible.

I have a planner and I have a list of a dozen things that I could do with my free time and I make myself pick three things a day. Stuff like work out, call someone, do some sort of beauty related thing like get a manicure or do my eyebrows, clean, do some photography or artwork, etc.

I know I feel better about myself if I actually do something that day but I need to establish rules for myself in order to actually do it, even if it's something enjoyable. I have been diagnosed with depression but I don't think it even has anything to do with that. If anything it has more to do with ADD and finding stupid useless crap to do (like post on TK in the silly amount I do) as opposed to something that would actually enrich my life.

CMGragain · February 2015

One thing I used to do to combat depression was to do something nice for somebody else.

littlepep · February 2015

I feel this way lately too. I swear it's seasonal depression or whatever they call it. I'm in SC so it's not like it's super cold here either, but anything below 60 is cold for me ha. I also think it's the shorter days. It's so hard to motivate myself to do anything but watch TV or read when it's cold and dark outside.

amelisha · February 2015

I always get the seasonal blahs this time of year too. It's so cold and dark and I still walk to work in the dark and walk home again in the dark and it gets to be a bit much with the snow and ice and no sunlight. I've been running the stairwell in my building when I can muster up the energy (which is also pretty depressing while I'm doing it...concrete, fluorescents, 18 floors up and 18 floors down until I can't stand it anymore) and I feel a lot better afterward if I can push through it and get my heart racing for half an hour even. I hate exercise but I really do feel better about life once I've finished.

I also starting taking vitamin D drops and I don't know if it's a placebo effect or what but I swear I've been feeling better anyway.

anjemon · February 2015

@ohannabelle I'm so sorry to hear about your cat! Thoughts and prayers for you.

No motivation for life

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