No motivation to do anything

Hi, I'm 18 and have suffered with depression for awhile, but recently I haven't had any motivation to complete even the simplest of tasks. The more tasks I can't complete, the more I feel like a worthless piece of garbage. This has led me to start self harming agian. I'm seeing a therapist, and it has helped some, but not with my lack of motivation. Please let me know if you have any ideas that may help. Thank you for taking your time to read this

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Hello & Welcome, Magentaserling.

Developing then sustaining motivation in depression are at best difficult and sometimes impossible (my experience).

Fragile habits, semi-rigid scheduling, and inertia are tools that sometimes work for me. All of those break down, though, especially if I'm ill or don't get enough good-quality sleep.

Please keep reaching out.

Hey,
hope you're feeling better than when you wrote this; sometimes all I can do to get out of bed is to make tiny, accomplishable goals to build momentum. Start by taking a shower, which I like to think of as 'joining the day', and just focus on washing off negativity with the dirt and dust. Follow biological cues like eating every 3-4 hours or getting outside for just ten minutes for fresh air and vitamin D. The smaller the goal, the easier it is for you to succeed, and with more success comes more motivation, eh? Good luck!

I find going for a walk helps, even if it's just a five minute walk up and down the street.

I'm having the same problem this winter. I have to work hard this winter, my summer job depends on it and I waste the day in bed waiting for motivation. I've learned that the motivation comes from doing. You have to start something small and the motivation will develop. I need to follow my own advise because I know it's true. Just starting is where you have to force yourself to move. It's hard to start.

I know exactly how you feel. Recently (within the last year or so) I've lost the motivation to do almost anything. It's something that a full nights sleep or lots of coffee doesn't even help with. My pdoc just put me on Wellbutrin XL, and I hope that it helps. Keep working with your therapist.

Yeah, i know exactly what you mean. And i'm not 18 i'm 57 so it can happen at any age. At 18 you should be out enjoying yourself. get out and do things. Challenge yourself to do things. Meet people. Start to like yourself and feel good about yourself. I think my problem is that i never found anyone that wanted to share my life and life itself became meaningless. I've realised ( yeah i know FINALLY at 57) that unless i make a huge effort and get out and try and find someone i either face a lonely old age or the alternative and we all know what the alternative is. Don't give in to negative thoughts, don't wallow in self pity or melancholy. The minute you think you might, get out and do something. Could be anything. Exercise, go to the shops, help someone,start a task ( even if you do'nt finish it ) whatever. Life ain't easy bud and no ones gonna put it on a plate for you. You gotta go out and get it. good luck.

Is there anything that would keep you out of bed? I find that volunteering helps me out of bed... so I've been using that.

Thinking of somebody other than yourself always makes you feel good.