[winterglen]

I have no time or energy to do anything useful. I waste so much time dithering, worrying, or otherwise behaving like a clueless moron.

And it's much worse when people "helpfully" point out that I should live my life to the fullest, because life is short, and so on. It just adds pressure. I know I should do something worthwhile now, today, this minute. I want to do something worthwhile. But I don't know where to begin. I'm paralyzed with lack of knowledge about what exactly I should do.

My brain is yelling at me, "You're wasting time! Do something! What is the matter with you?", but I don't know what to do or how to do it, and way too often I don't want to do anything. I feel exhausted from trying to follow these vague but persistent commands.

"Do something. You should do something. Stop wasting time and do something."

But I can't because I don't have enough energy to do anything. Then people say to me, "Why are you so tired when you don't do anything all day? Why are you so lazy?" and the ever helpful "Worrying is a waste of time, so stop doing it, and devote your time and energy to important things. If you don't start now, you'll never get anywhere."

I feel so lazy and stupid and incompetent, and I know I should do something to fix it, but I'm too exhausted to do anything.

[pegasus]

Hugs ((((( winterglen ))))))

I do understand. It can be all consuming, worrying non-stop and it can make you run around doing absolutely nothing. Infuriating but it's not as easy as just telling yourself to stop because that has the opposite effect!

I would give yourself a goal of doing one good thing for yourself each day. For example go for a walk for 20 minutes or read a book, make a puzzle, something to distract your mind and take your mind off the worries for a bit. Distractions will help. Therapy will help you cope with the anxiety and you'll be able to understand where it comes from and you'll understand yourself better too. It's definitely not about laziness, it's all about fear and trying to make it safe.

[Sadley]

I feel the exact same way. Feel like I wasted my whole life worrying about what I should do with it.

[Mustkeepjob32]

In the same vein, I look back 10 years and realize I've done done nothing but fall into further depression, anxiety, and often hopelessness. I think about all the things I should have done had I not suffered from mental health issues. But then that's the vicious circle that we sufferers get into, and it just gets worse.
It's normal for us to badmouth ourselves internally and even externally even though it doesn't help us in the long run. Just know I empathize.

I could have written your post myself a few weeks back. Lately I have really been fighting those kinds of thoughts and being kind and positive to myself and it has been working. Im not spending my days feeling sick with worry anymore. I have also found that in being less anxious I have tons more energy. Keep working in therapy and you'll get through it and begin to live your life again

[atomicc]

I feel like this exact way all the time, it's scary. It's like I barely accomplish anything but I'm still exhausted by it. I'm always tired and never want to do anything but my brain keeps saying
"What the hell are you doing? Get up and do more. you're just being lazy and dumb"
All that makes me so anxious. I wish I could give you more help but I haven't been able to help myself :/

[Stockbroker]

This may sound crazy, but if you start exercising more often it might actually give you more energy.

Your brain could be lacking dopamine Which could be released if you hit the gym for say... 45 minutes a day four days a week.

Combine that with eating healthy and getting plenty of sleep and you may start feeling better. Consider it!

Try and smile often