I don't know what my motivating force in life is...

I'm having a really hard time answering this question and I don't think it's going to be an easy one to answer. Everyone else around me has at least one thing! Some people are motivated by personal success, or money, or power etc...

I can't seem to find one reason! I don't think I'm depressed again, I just don't have motivation in my life. No friends, no family members to talk to, no therapist. I don't want or need money. I feel like a walking zombie in life, with no real direction guiding me forward. I'm just walking aimlessly without a goal and then it dawned on me, that I have no idea what motivates me.

So my question is this, what motivates you in life? I figure if maybe I can see what motivates other people, something, anything might hit home.

What motivates me is that I know things can always get better , regardless of what it may be , and I look forward to that .

Hmmmm...that's a tough one for me too. When the depression is bad I go through life on the outside of everything going on around me. During that, the family & friends & even faith that I do have just don't seem to matter. Nothing matters. That is what it feels like. I am faking it at work but I go & at church & around others if I go at all. BUT when things are better, I take pride in my work, I talk with friends, I work on faith matters, try to support others that have mental health issues & love coming home to my 3 crazy, loving cats.

Mec, I am sorry you don't have family but are you totally isolating yourself from others? I tend to do that when things are bad. Maybe a disorder support group would open you up to meeting others that would understand what you go through like we do. I am thinking about calling the DBSA group (depression bipolar support alliance) in my town to meet with people in person & talk about issues & advice. Sometimes that just seems to lighten my burden. I don't know if you think about spiritual things or not but if you do there are so many different kinds of churches that you could try.

I hope you find a place where you feel safe & cared about. Or just hang with us here. We can be your friends too.

Let us know what you think.

Hi meccorad,

I recently listened to the CD's of, The Power of Now, and, A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle. The information in these books changed the way I think about motivation, and what I want to do in life. He talks about living your life in the moment and finding peace in doing this.

Eckhart Tolle wrote, The Power of Now, first and it goes into more detail; if you are interested.

Caramel

I suppose the answer for me is moments of grace - knowing I'm happy when I am happy. The times I feel that are in nature, walking by the river, cycling. The feeling of adventure, that invites you to live life anew, a bit like a child, carrying fears with excitement. In friendship I appreciate honesty, creativity and fearlessness. Not being afraid to rock the boat. I try not to loose sight of what's really going on inside myself and use that as the guide. Often when I ignore that, I get into trouble. Otherwise, I get depressed and then I can't even feel anything.

I guess, then I'm motivated by the idea there is beauty in the world and moments of perfect peace. I'm motivated by fessing up to myself when I'm really bored with the mental limitations I've put on life.

what about taking one of those assessment tests that tries to figure out your interests?

Good question.... I am motivated by my son to survive and find recovery so I can be the mother he deserves.

I am motivated by nature and by knowing we are never challenged beyond our capacity to grow and learn and pass on the gifts received out of hardship.

I am motivated by the fact that there will always be happy moments in my life, even if they are few sometimes. I always look forward to good moments, such as watching a funny television show, spending time with a friend, reading a good book. Anything that makes me feel good inside.

I'm also motivated by recovery, getting better each and every day with my mental illnesses, and also by my friends & family, whom I love very much.

I wish you the best of luck in finding what motivates you in your life. May it be a wonderful journey.