Well, clearly I'm not alone in this battle of getting over that morning hump. Thanks, all of you, for seeming to know exactly what I'm talking about.

As one of you said above, having a destination to get to - like a job - can help force one to get going. I had the least problem with this when I was working and had a job that started in the morning. Now I no longer work, so there is little to force me to get going in the a.m.

As far as what constitutes "wasting time," I do appreciate your suggestion, Fuzzy, that maybe I'm doing what I need to do and maybe I'm holding myself to some externally imposed srandard that I could lighten up on. Kind of you to say that, but - no - I'm languishing in a state of apathy and lethargy that just leads to deeper depression. When some appointment forces me out the door early, I feel so, so much better. Trust me - I tend to be very self-forgiving - when I feel a legitimate need to take it easy.

As some here might know from other threads I've started, I take care of my boyfriend who is in failing health. Even though I have my own apartment, I'm hardly ever there. My bf is mobility impaired and has mild dementia. He's become very lethargic, himself . . . . and I do believe that gets to be contagious. We have some help in home attendants who come by, but they aren't realy all that much help. They're basically just like baby-sitters. Not one of them has demonstrated the ability to fry an egg. They get, like, minimum wage and they tend to be older individuals who are doing this kind of "work" because they are retired from something else and have health issues of their own. For example, one of them has cancer, but is a really nice person.

My bf used to love to cook for me, and that made me feel cared for. Now he can't make a piece of toast for himself. We tried the nursing home option, and I was miserable seeing him there. I'ld rather have him home.

He gets up at a regular hour every day. I manage to crawl out of bed behind him and give him breakfast. Then I just crawl back to bed for a few more hours, until it's time to feed him again. But this is not all caused by caretaker burnout. I have some of that, but I've had this morning problem all my life. As I'm getting older, I really do have less energy. Plus, age brings aches and pains that are worst when first getting out of bed.

I know this is something I've either got to fight, or my life is going to go further down hill. I've got bags full of mail that I haven't even looked at. I'm paying all my bills late. Two months ago, I simply forgot to pay my rent, till my landlord texted me about it. Wasn't like I didn't have the money.

The morning shower might be a good habit to get into, if I can pull it off. There's sort of a cycle. I do better for a few days . . . then I relapse into the rut . . . then I improve for a few days . . . and on and on the cycle goes. Lord, I do sound dreary.

I like the suggestion about not thinking in the a.m. I do recognize that I manage to think myself further into the dumps, when my attention is not engaged by something outside of myself.

Thanks, all, for understanding.