I'm grateful but need motivation

 

I've had a great couple of days enjoying some quality time with my boyfriend and getting some piecemeal chores tackled around the house:  Tuesday was my birthday, and we spent it cleaning (LOL) then picking wild berries and going out to dinner.  My nut phobia was much under control for a change - hurray!  Yesterday, I had an ENT followup and then we went shopping at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods - our favorites.  Then more cleaning (LOL - yes, the house needs it that much).  Today I weeded the garden and we harvested a few herbs to freeze.  I'm doing a couple of loads of laundry.

So it's all been relaxing and productive and I'm very thankful for that, but ...

Ever since depression and anxiety came into my life, I've pushed myself less and less all the time.  I don't mean less pushing to extremes.  I've struggled lately to stop doing that.  I mean just the ordinary motivation of saying, "Hey, it's Saturday, time to do laundry" or "The lawn is getting high; I'll mow it tonight after dinner when it's nice out."  Instead, the laundry piles up for weeks (honest) at a time.    The mail and bills go unopened for 3-4 weeks at a time.  Lightbulbs burn out and are left unchanged for a month.  The washer and dryer need a small adjustment with a screwdriver and have needed it - to the detriment of my utility bills - for over a month.  The floors have not been mopped or vacuumed since Easter.

It doesn't seem like life is out of control, but I don't like how I let all these little things slide nowadays.  They're such small tasks alone, but I can't bring myself to just stand up, walk into the next room and take the 5 minutes needed to do them.

Any advice, ideas, or just commiseration?

percycat

Percy

Happy Birthday Honey

I'm really glad you had such a lovely, productive birthday and of course (go cancerians!!! lol we rock)

I kinda know how you feel about letting things slide. I have been so busy with study that I have fallen out of the routine that keeps me in line. Now I am a bit of a mess...SO

We can do this together. If we write up a chart about what needs to be done, what HAS to be done and when we think we can do it then maybe we can set up a routine where things get done (in due course of course!).  I, like Kitt am a list nutter (not that scary nut mind you lol) so I like to write waaay in advance what I plan to get done in a day (OCD me). It is really nice to cross those things off and get that nice glowy feeling of DID IT!

Remember also that depression drains you of the desire to do things and then anxiety comes along and scares you into a corner. Not a productive place. Set small, reasonable goals. Just one thing a day if needed. If you do more then great, but celebrate just achieving one thing a day. Every day. Then pat yourself on the back. You deserve it sweetie. I know things will get easier, you are a fighter!!

Hugs

Meg

Meg,

You're right. Actually, according to the FlyLady organizing web site, some folks need a full month to establish a new habit or routine. She hasn't met me yet, or else she'd put in a footnote about 2-3 months being needed for some people.

I've tried lists in the past, but they usually end up highlighting what I didn't accomplish. For today, I tried marking some items as priorities and some as "feel good" items to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the whole list seeming equally necessary to me. It went okay, but over half of it is being shifted to tomorrow. Oh, well - baby steps.

percycat

PS - Kitties are hunting fiends today: little adventurer caught a chipmunk and miss prissy caught a moth.  Perfect for their personalities.

Percycat, I tried Flylady but I could not convince her to come and clean my house..................ugh.

How are you doing,  I am still needing to clean the kitchen? I have it on my list.

Hope your day is happy and filled with sunshine.

Hugs
Kitt