[CharactorAssassin]

Anyone feel unmotivated and lack interest to do thing? How do you get motivated to be productive? I try to do things I used to enjoy but its like there is a disconnect. Cannot put things together.

[dg1983]

Yep, I definitely feel that often. What works for me sometimes is just the planning to be productive makes me a little bit more productive...it gets me a bit more excited to do stuff. For example, I told myself that I needed to exercise more. I then made a plan for when and where I would do it...I told myself that if I didn't follow the plan 100%, and just tried to follow it, it would be ok...and what happened is that I got out of my house sometimes and went for a run, walk, etc...I really had to force myself 90% of the time...but when I was actually doing it, I felt somewhat happy that I got my *** up and out.

I guess its all about forcing these habits sometimes...but I wouldn't force myself too hard, like if I didn't do it I would be like meh...i'll do it another day, but I wouldn't kill myself that I didn't do it.

What did you use to enjoy that you don't enjoy doing now?

[HealingTimes]

Yes, thats definitely something that i battle with daily.

I love reading, i have always been a huge reader, and recently i cant bring myself to read my books at all.
It's really upsetting, as i really WANT to, but cant

Its the same with housework, exercise etc.
I just try and get as much done on my 'good days' as possible.

[CharactorAssassin]

A whole gamut of creative things I was doing. But I find I'm incompetent without Ritalin but I took too much and I had to stop taking it. But I was getting such good results. Its like I'm nothing without the stimulation but I would get too paranoid and agoraphobic. Without it I'm very slow but at least I can go outside now. I dont know if it was the cymbalta too. But I'm basically stuck and can't pull myself together to do much of anything.

Yes. You just do the best you can. Some days I can push through the lack of motivation or the desire to isolate and do nothing just by sheer willpower. And sometimes I just don't have any choice but to do what is necessary. I'm also a terrible procrastinator on optional or non pressing activities. The things I used to enjoy... are pretty much all gone.

[dg1983]

Yeah, pretty much it's just doing the best you can...that cliche saying "one day at a time" it's true. It's hard to not be creative--what kind of stuff did you do? I used to be a musician myself, but the creative juices aren't flowing...it's weird because art/creativity was and is still such a huge part of my life but I can't find motivation to touch an instrument. I'll try to do at least one creative thing this week...maybe we can make it a goal together?

Yes. Not sure how to find motivation.

[CharactorAssassin]

I was doing 3d and digital art and programming. I was never very good at it but it was what I chose. It seems impossible to do most of the time.

[dg1983]

Is it something you are doing for school? or work? or an old hobby of yours? There was probably a reason that you chose it right?

[gracez]

I can completely relate because I have no interest or enjoyment in anything anymore. I try to do things that I used to like or consider good for me every so often, because I "know it's the right thing" but I never enjoy it, so it seems pointless.

[CharactorAssassin]

I chose these things to find a way. It is the only way I know.

[Love/Hate09]

Yes i made a thread on another part of the site about not being able to read anymore, i just don't have the concentration, as soon as i try and start ready my mind can't focus for more than anout thirty seconds.

My writing is awful most of the time, loads of mistakes everywhere.

I try and do things that i know i used to enjoy but i just can't do them, or very occasionally i get the odd day when i can still do them, which is really good, i enjoy those days. I recently gave all my books away, there was no point in keeping them, i kept a couple that had sentimental attachment but the rest got given to the other residents in my block.

It's really annoying, especially when you know that you enjoy doing something but you find you can't do it, i used to love reading but it's pointless even trying at the moment.

[Fuzzybear]

Battling that (and the disconnect..)

[Fuzzybear]

I know what you mean. CBT I believe teaches that it isn't pointless and that doing things we used to do and enjoy, even if we feel no enjoyment now will rewire the brain, together with meds in most cases.

Good luck

Originally Posted by gracez

I can completely relate because I have no interest or enjoyment in anything anymore. I try to do things that I used to like or consider good for me every so often, because I "know it's the right thing" but I never enjoy it, so it seems pointless.