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where do I find motivation when I feel like I have nothing to live for. When I can’t get out of bed or brush my teeth. Days when I don’t feel worth it. Feel like the boat is sinking, I don’t know. I can’t give up, I made the commitment to myself. I promised myself I wouldn’t. Gotta get out of my own way.
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I find motivation by reaching out to friends who have dealt with similar struggles and listening to their stories of experience, strength, and hope. Reach out to someone today. Isolating is the worst thing you can do. No one can do it alone. We’re not meant to. And the amazing thing is you don’t have to.
At times the best motivation lies in knowing that you are not alone. I’ve totally felt the way you’ve described before, and being able to see that my other friends have gone through difficult situations and have come out on top has motivated me to keep going just one more day.
And when that fails I often like recommending TedTalks. Some of them are super motivating and inspiring.
What an awesome quote! I think I have been stuck in present thinking lately, too. It is awesome to know that we have the power to change the direction of our lives through how we think and our choices.
This is just in time for the warmer week we have been having too…
Hi Michael,
You are so right! It’s so great that we have the power to do so.
I am loving the weather today and yesterday, even though I think in March we will go back to winter, I am going to enjoy this spring like weather.
Thanks Michael!!
You guys are both so correct about having to focus more on our future goals and direct ourselves in that direction rather than being stuck wrapped around what’s going to happen today or even tomorrow. I tend to do this sometimes as well, but I have learned that in order for me to be successful, I have to keep my eye on the prize, or so my future, so that I know what I have to work towards.
Hey!
I’ve definitely been in your shoes before where I have lacked motivation to get out and do the things that I need to get done. What has helped me in the past has been to look at the bigger picture. For example, you stated you are currently looking for jobs, so maybe think about the things you will be able to do once you have a job, what other goals you will be able to accomplish, perhaps financially, etc. Looking at the bigger picture and larger outcome often help me know that even if I am struggling to get out and do something right this second, I know I still need to get around to it for my long-term benefit.
Also, when I am struggling and am really having a hard time getting myself to do things, I just reward myself once I’ve completed a certain amount of tasks. Being an adult, having to be responsible for things, working, going to school, dealing with health, family, etc., all of those and more can be very difficult, but it doesn’t have ti be impossible. If I know I really don’t want to do something but I have to get it done no matter what, I’ll be like okay, I did it, now let’s get a pedicure, some ice cream, let me watch my fave movie, get some new lotion or a candy bar, whatever it is to reward myself for getting through those tasks. Sometimes through the hard days, we just have to survive.
I hope this helps! 🙂
thank you so much for the feed back. i know i will find a job soon. and i will reward myself like u said to once i get one. i had a good day. there is this donut place in new haven called donut crazy that i really like so i will reward myself by going there.
I connect with these feelings so deeply. I find that my anxiety and depression stand in the way of my motivation more often than not. Luz, I am a full believer in the reward system. I find it very motivating to get working on specific projects when I know there is something exciting waiting for me once I am finished.
This is an ongoing battle I have with myself, but I am working on it!
Hey Estrella! Ugh lack of motivation is SO hard to cope with. And its so cyclical- you lose motivation so you do nothing, that makes you depressed, depression makes you tired and sluggish and ‘lazy’ so you do nothing, continue to have no motivation, and so on and so fourth. I have come to realize that physics helps me with this! Lol I know that sounds weird but bare with me. So Newton had these Laws… inertia is that an object at rest STAYS and rest and an object in motion STAYS in motion. So even though Newton probably didnt have our mental wellness in mind when he made these laws- he is spot on when it comes to motivation. I have found that when I do nothing, and give in to my urges to stay at rest, the harder and harder it becomes to get going again. And of course, while staying at rest can be satisfying in the immediate moment (who doesnt love hitting the snooze button?) sometimes (or most of the time for some) it can be counter-productive and really bad for us and our happiness. On the other hand, when I am doing a lot of ‘things’ (can be hobbies, cleaning, working, studying, going to school, going to groups, practicing self-care, etc.) I tend to feel really good about myself. This ball gets rolling, and I become more and more energized and confident. Of course, there is a tightrope to walk, and doing TOO much can cause us to crash and burn. Don’t worry, if and when that happens, we rest, recover, and get back up. The more we practice, the better we get at walking the tight-rope and the less we have to climb back up.
So, that was a really long way of saying, maybe try to get a little structure in your day! Even if you dont feel like it, find ONE scheduled activity to do a day. It can be really small (for example: “at 10 am I will take a 5 minute walk. If I do this I can sit on the sofa and scroll through my phone guilt-free for 20 minutes”), fun but important (like a group or therapy appointment), or good for you but maybe kind of annoying (go on a couple job-interviews, check emails, sign up for a class). I think once you get yourself into a new routine, your motivation will build back up, and so will your confidence.