In the past 9 months or so I have struggled maintaining a regular schedule engaging with my hobbies. Basically hit a 6 month depressive (?) or at least extremely low state after getting fully employed where I did literally nothing. Fast Forward to two months ago and I sort of realized most of my blocks were from stress - mostly stressing over using all of my time as efficiently as possible - so I changed my mindset and some myself actually enjoying my interests and setting new goals againOnly issue is, despite this, I still sink back into chunks of time, usually a month at least, where I go back to doing nothing. In fact, I am in one right now. It isn't a saddened or depressed state but just apathetic. These states cycle back and forth without any real trigger. As stated before, I've sort of found out how to deal with my manner of thinking when I'm in an "elevated" state but don't know how to handle these depressed or less motivated states.They're marked with a lack of desire to do things I KNOW I ENJOY, or are for the best, but I just have 0, nothing, complete lack of desire to do it. This extends to forming sort of subconscious negative connotations about these activities. So, in short.1) Anyone have tips on how to motivate when you aren't feeling motivated? This is hard because my mind is not working normal, it has 180'd and worked backwards, truths and advice that work when Im thinking normal have no effect2) I also just....forget about my hobbies - they aren't on my mind in these states, they are not jumping out as a thing I could do or want to do, I have to remind myself of tasks I could be doingAny way to keep these in the forefront of my mind?3) How can I avoid forming these sort of mental blocks or negative connotations towards things?Sorry if a text wall. I tried to only go as in depth as needed for my case.
>>33642668hi OP, im kinda in a situation like yours, but the depressive state kinda just disappeared over times and just get those moments twice a monthabout that, just go on long walks with music on.it's something I've done a few times, and now that here where I live winter is coming, I'm planning to do so every time I feel down or have nothing to do. I'm a fatass and in a way or another, it's better, helps lose weight, avoids bedrotting, and you find yourself in a clearer state of mind.
You're still spending your time somehow. Whatever it is, it isn't helping so cut it. For me it was the web. Forget productivity for a bit and just do something else. Literally anything besides your current default.
>>33642901I guess?It’s almost like I get into routines easily so I get into a routine of being productive than one of being unproductive The sort of work home work home flow probably only makes this easier to have happen
One thing I’ve realized while contemplating all of this is this: A motivated person and an unmotivated person perform the same actions if they decide to do a taskThey’re still picking up a pencil. They’re still sitting down to type a report. They’re still hitting play on a show.Focusing so much on the front half of performing an action - the desire and motivation, will constantly obstruct the concept of the latter half happeningEnd of the day there’s no difference besides how you get thereSo maybe it’s just willpower? Just feel like I need a mental trick for when I get into these states because I know I still enjoy things
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Also, instead of thinking about the concept of doing something, focusing on how it will feel to do / complete it - rather than focusing on the task ahead focus on the endingsome sort of backwards thinking approach
Okay I’ve kinda figured things out myself for now but would like more ideas if someone reads my word wall
>>33647951Since I have the same problems I'd like to know what you found out.
>>33649222I focused on doing a task from a backwards approachIf the passion / desire isn’t there, you’ll never want to do it if you think in a “forward” mannerWant to do thing —> act —> do thingIf you KNOW you enjoy it but just don’t feel like doThink of completing the thing —> desire that —> act on that desireBasically trying to shift my mental focus from the concept of doing the thing, not the literal action but like the concept of it if that makes sense, shifting that to the concept of completing itSomehow it’s more appetizingThen all that’s left is…….staying focused and actually doing it
The only thing I’m questioning now is, as someone with multiple loosely connected hobbies, if I should make myself do each of them every day or when they naturally comeFeels like balancing knowing what you can do and overwhelming yourselfDoing things for enjoyment vs knowing you won’t do them if you don’t force yourself a bitHard to say
bump for discussion and helping others
. Yeah bro
>>33642668Read the first chapter of Learned OptimismIt's important to note that major depression gives you brain damage and there's a point from which you can no longer recover. So my advice to younger, depressed anons is to do whatever cringe shit you can imagine, therapy, support groups, pills, literally anything is better than rotmaxxing because like I said, past a certain point, you can no longer recover
motivation is worthless never expect or rely on itdiscipline is all there is
>>33654779I don’t really think I’m depressed but I like the message, yes just do something
>>33654887Yeah that’s what I’m learning but basically raw willpower can’t push you through everything, but maybe you’d disagreeThere are times where forcing yourself to do something raw will just make you more repulsed to do it - therefore - you gotta change your thinking to make it more appealing and not this every growing hurdle you can’t willpower throughBut, yes, there are a lot of times when it is as simple as “focus and do it, shut up and do it” or being so habitual and engrained it takes zero thought
