What motivates you?

Hi there,

I have Bipolar II and I'm currently on a major down swing. I accidentally skipped my meds on Thursday and ever since I have felt depressed, my energy is low, and getting up out of bed to do anything seems really challenging at the moment. I've cancelled all of my plans for the weekend because the idea of being around people just sounds exhausting.

Does anyone else feel this way or go through this from time to time? What do you do to get out of the funk?

Any tips on motivation would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Mrs J

I pretty-much just keep to myself in general nowadays except that I am married. The idea of being around people always exhausts, & scares, me. Still, since I am married, I can't be a complete & total recluse (although I'm close.) There are things I just know I must do. I don't really have any particular techniques for revving up my motivation. I just do what I know I have to do. I've pretty-much always been able to do this. No matter how emotionally exhausted I felt, I could still drag myself out of bed & do what needed to be done. Often I didn't do it well... but I did it. I credit my father with this. When I was growing up, he simply wouldn't take no for an answer; & I was always too scared of him to test his resolve...

I do get into this kind of funk from time to time. It's hard to do anything while waiting for it to pass (because it does go away eventually). I usually do some distraction and self-soothing techniques when I'm like this and it seems to help. It's mainly listening to music, watching something funny on TV, taking a hot bath, etc. Just basically pampering myself until the mood lifts.

what motivates me to keep going is the thought, if i just give up on life and everything that goes with it, what have i really acheeved, apart from proving to myself that i'm weak and a failiure.

i know that as long as i'm alive and struggling, things can change- sometimes good, sometimes bad. the cycle can continue, rather than everything just stopping.

the other thing that really motivates me is the song from avenue q, " only for now", where they sing at the end that nothing lasts forever, everything is only for now.

reminds me that things do improve

That makes a lot of sense and is really quite simple: do what needs to be done. I think I can manage this much. And I agree about being exhausted/scared by people I'm the same way. Thanks for your thoughts.

Thanks for this advice, I followed it by watching my favorite show and having some chocolate. It helped a little and I will keep taking care of myself until the mood lifts. I like that there is an end in sight and this won't last forever. Your comment really helped!

That's so true. Things will get better and I can't stop trying. Thanks for your thoughts!

I think about my 10 yr. old daughter who adores me.

I play my guitar religiously, Anything to keep my mind from dwelling.

Good luck

Just think of all the things your thankful for. A list of things that you have accomplished. A list of goals you have.

I'd like to update and say I am doing really well. I've learned not to skip medicine doses and to try staying busy with things I like that are really motivating. But the biggest lesson for me has been self care. It seems so simple and makes me want to say, "oh, duh!" but it can be really hard when you're down. I now have a list on my phone called The Feel Better List and its all my self care ideas. Thank you all for your support!!

I'm glad you are feeling so good. And you are right about self care, it is so important but so hard when we are depressed. That's a good idea about making a list.

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@mrsjoggers...Happy things are looking up for u. Ur human....I've accidentally missed a dose of my meds before too. Afterward I also set reminders on my phone so I wouldn't miss my meds anymore. Great idea "The Feel Better List"...

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