How do you deal with lack of motivation

[Stardust535]

I've got 3 assignments and an essay coming up this week, and every day I roll out of bed feeling like it's pointless and a waste of energy.

Any ideas to how I can get the motivation to get up every day, and even attempt to do school work?

(This is my first time using this site so, if I'm somehow doing something wrong, please let me know.)

[TheGordianKnight]

Dia Dhuit Stardust535!

I can empathize. Depression can make a normal task daunting, but recognition of it is a great first step.

I suffered an injury that left me with a disability (the details I will keep private as this is for you, not me) and coupled with depression and anxiety related to it I had the same struggle to get out of bed.

Do you have something you really enjoy? Something that no matter how bad your day is it gives you that little lift and nudge to get through?

What worked for me was a mixture of behavioral modification therapy and real life "objectives" that had rewards for completing them.

I love fountain pens, inks and leather journals. I may love them too much 😀. I would write down all my jobs and tasks for the week, and if I met them all I would put a small amount into my pen fund. If at the end of the month I have completed all my tasks, I can splurge on a new ink or go for a mystery grab on eBay or the like.

This isn't the main part of the treatment though. The reward keeps you completing your jobs in the short term just for the reward, but it also starts to build a routine. Once the routine is established you may find that having the routine makes you feel better because you are more "in control" of your life. (In that you are being proactive instead of reactive.)

Another option is friends and family. Ask them for help and make it a solid effort.

All you have to do is get just enough traction to get out of the rut and you'll see keeping the momentum is so much easier.

I hope this helps you and I'm happy to chat further or answer any other questions you have.

Go bhfeicfidh mé arís my friend.

[geoff]

Hello Stardust, and welcome to the site.

I'm sorry for the position you are in I know that sometimes you wake up knowing you have so much you need to get done, but you can't convince yourself to do any of it.

If you can slowly do things, like feed the cat or dog, have a shower, breakfast then turn the telly on or set your own schedule because you have to work to what suits you.

Ask your teacher for an extension on one assignment or even two, that will all of sudden relieve the tension.

If you've been struggling with delaying, avoiding, or procrastinating then there's a reason why this is happening, I can't diagnose you only a doctor can.

Do the easiest assignments first and if there is no word limit, then make them short.

Can you're parents take you to the doctors and are you able to get any extensions to relieve the pressure.

Geoff.