[onionknight]

I have often called it a lack of motivation, but I think what I really mean is that I can imagine what I want to do, imagine myself doing it, but when it comes time to actually getting started, I shut down and avoid it, putting it off until it is too late, and then, convincing myself I didn't want it or I didn't need to do it. The first step is often the worst for me.

Partially, I think it is a fear that stuff won't be as good as I imagined, and partially, I think it's that I just cannot get myself focused and energetic enough to START!

Anyone know what I mean? Any successful and pratical tips for getting myself moving?

[unaluna]

Oh yeah. I call it, my get up and go has got up and went.

[Rohag]

Originally Posted by onionknight

Anyone know what I mean?

An emphatic YES!

Originally Posted by onionknight

Any successful and practical tips for getting myself moving?

Unfortunately, no.

I closely identify with your ability to imagine yourself doing things or liking activities and with your inability to actualize anything. I've a few habitual activities left, but otherwise I'm dependent on erratic impulses to get me anywhere in what remains of my life.

[onlytime]

YES! This is one of my biggest problems. I was discussing this with my T and she suggested that I try to build in rewards for myself for completing things.

I know that's not super helpful, but I wanted to say you're definitely not alone in this!

[GreyThinker]

Ahh yes, I identify! I also have this thing where if I do actually manage to get myself started on something, I run out of steam before the end... don't seem to have the stamina to get that last thing done to complete the task . Anyone else find this?

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by onionknight

I have often called it a lack of motivation, but I think what I really mean is that I can imagine what I want to do, imagine myself doing it, but when it comes time to actually getting started, I shut down and avoid it, putting it off until it is too late, and then, convincing myself I didn't want it or I didn't need to do it. The first step is often the worst for me.

Partially, I think it is a fear that stuff won't be as good as I imagined, and partially, I think it's that I just cannot get myself focused and energetic enough to START!

Anyone know what I mean? Any successful and pratical tips for getting myself moving?

Yes, I have the same struggles. For me, it has a lot to do with my depression. But what you described is pretty close to what I go through. If you can find, there's a pretty good book call, "Get It Done When You're Depressed." I don't remember the authors' names off the bat, but it's pretty simply to read and gives a lot of good suggestions and excercises to do. Some libraries have it.

[gma45]

I can totally relate! I wish I had the answer but I haven't found it! I would like to check out that book ^. I hope someone else posts with some ideas, I could sure use some.

[-jimi-]

Yeh. I have the issue even when I'm much less depressed though. Ritalin helps me a little.

I wish life was a computer game and I could clean my apartment by remotely click on things on my screen and a machine did the cleaning.

[GreyThinker]

Originally Posted by jimi...

Yeh. I have the issue even when I'm much less depressed though. Ritalin helps me a little.

I wish life was a computer game and I could clean my apartment by remotely click on things on my screen and a machine did the cleaning.

Hmmm... Robo-Hoover crossed with Sims, I like it

[Gently1]

I understand this my T calls it cascading thoughts, and it stops me in my tracks.
everything seems overwhelming and I can't get started.

Some relief is to have a list of activities ( i use a morning list starting with get out of bed, make bed,... ) and often I could just my LIST, and not having to think has been enough to get started.

And days like today, I followed the list or as much as I could, and now I am going back to bed to 'reboot'.
I may sleep again and at some point I will say to myself the LIST, and start my day again.
Repeating as needed.

Gently1

[tokiwartooth]

Sometimes I need a real kick in the butt to get started. I procrastinate and lack motivation quite often, especially if something is boring. If I'm interested in it, it's usually not as bad and I have more motivation, but even then, I can be slow to start. It's like trying to get up in the morning. 5 more minutes, just 5 more minutes. Sometimes I have to yell at myself and say that I'm not going to have it done on time and then the boss will be mad.

[avlady]

i feel that way often, especially in the morning, i cant get out of bed and when I do I feel like plopping right back in. I really don't have too many responsibilties as I am a homemaker and housewife and mom, those things I keep on to of. I can't get a job as I have no transportation, i sold Avon and MaryKay, for awhile nd I loved it but getting the rides to peoples houses was a pain in the neck Then I taught beginners piano for 3 years, all of this with my mental illness, and had a breakdown, I really wanted to work, but i have to take better care of myself now after the hospitalization. Because I wanted to feel productive I took on a volunteer job talking to old folks at the hospital, It was very rewarding, but I got sick agaain, this time not needing the hospital.just a break I remember in my early 20's I used to be a produce clerk, met several friends partied until the sun came up. I'm too old for that now but would love to work from home but don't even know where to start looking. I never drove because i can't process all the information but my son and husband drive. I had to sell my baby grand piano so my son could have the money to take driving lessons it was like 700 dollars to got to driving school.One thing I did do was go back to finish my degree just associates in Arts, online, but I had over 60 credits from a previous college so the school counted them too. well that is my life in a nutshell, avlady

[winter4me]

You are not, by a long shot, alone----I wish this was a day I could say more. But, I am down for the count today. [if you are surviving, you are likely doing much more than you give yourself credit for...]

[Hellion]

I have a pretty hard time getting started on things, not because I don't want to...either its just so overwhelming I am confused of where to even start. Or I for whatever reason lack any energy or motivation for it, and sometimes it just gets to the point of why bother.

The very few working experiances I've had one of which was college work study, I didn't do so well with I didn't get fired from the work study but I did from the other two. Mostly it always came down to me seeming a bit 'off' mentally, needing to be more self directed(it freaked me out kind of when I was told that in the work study job, because I was worried about not knowing what to do....I need direction for those kinds of things and of course being too slow.

I've had people try to tell me to just try harder, but they have no idea what's going on from my perspective...maybe they don't understand the frustration of having to fight to get your brain to cooperate.

[unaluna]

Okay so I ordered a copy of that book. In the meanwhile, there is an article in the nytimes right now, by a dad who said he feels he needs to stop bribing his kids to do stuff. A study said that can become counterproductive. Then it occurred to me, I would get punished, not rewarded, for doing well. As a child, as an adult. My mother would put me down after I cleaned my room, saying I never keep it clean. My good grades always included a lecture to my older brother; that never made me feel good. Or else the mother would just slap me upside the head, telling me not to get a big head about whatever my accomplishment was. So unless somebody is yelling at me now, who has motivation? It's like anything I do will bring more yelling. I guess my T is trying to break that connection. But first you have to see it.

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by jimi...

Yeh. I have the issue even when I'm much less depressed though. Ritalin helps me a little.

I wish life was a computer game and I could clean my apartment by remotely click on things on my screen and a machine did the cleaning.

Oh, I hear ya on that one!!!!

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by hankster

Okay so I ordered a copy of that book. In the meanwhile, there is an article in the nytimes right now, by a dad who said he feels he needs to stop bribing his kids to do stuff. A study said that can become counterproductive. Then it occurred to me, I would get punished, not rewarded, for doing well. As a child, as an adult. My mother would put me down after I cleaned my room, saying I never keep it clean. My good grades always included a lecture to my older brother; that never made me feel good. Or else the mother would just slap me upside the head, telling me not to get a big head about whatever my accomplishment was. So unless somebody is yelling at me now, who has motivation? It's like anything I do will bring more yelling. I guess my T is trying to break that connection. But first you have to see it.

I'm guessing that there's a part of you feeling like "What's the use?" since you never got positive reinforcement for your good actions