Same shit here. Can't get motivated to vacuum up the dust bunnies or do any more than basic, immediate cleaning to keep the place from becoming a total pit. I've got art projects, too, but they're just sitting there. Once in awhile I haul my ass outside and do a little gardening. Meh.

And a teacher told us, well, assigned us would be more accurate, to find a photo of ourselves as a baby or young child, put it in a nice frame, and place it where we would see it often during the day. We were advised to try and make friends with that child, to show it love and understanding, because, just a very young child after all.

Thought it a silly exercise, but did it. I would tell my very young self that, though things were rough and the young child was too often just sort of shuffled off to other relatives, it was no fault of her own, it was others who failed her. But she grew strong and smart and would always take care of that child. It sorta worked.

Teacher also advised us to 'listen to that young child, the child has things to teach you, remind you, share excitement of learning with you'.

It really sounded almost insane to us all, but I did the 'assignment'. That was in 1992, and damned if the exercise didn't help me climb out of a life threatening depression. That old photo still hangs in my bedroom and when I still have spells of depression, she reminds me of the sweet child I need to take care of. Along with cognitive therapy, reading, and trying new things now and then, life came back, my best life actually. Have had a good run since then. Losing my husband set me back, but the little girl in the photo reminds me I can learn and grow, and have good days again now and then.

I truly hope you take the hand of the wee person you used to be, befriend that innocent, deserving child, and go on to grow with him/her, have adventures now and the. Remember joy, just simple joy. I hope the light comes back on for you, but know it is a hard, slow journey sometimes.

I care about you.

I'm so glad this worked for you. I think I will try it. I, too find myself mired in emotional quicksand and really just numb to everything lately. Since 2017, I've lost both parents and my 52yo younger brother. I don't feel morosely depressed (at least I don"t think I do), and for the most part think I'm coping okay. I just feel mostly uninspired and often find myself wondering what is the point of all this? The crazy shit happening in this country also really gets me down sometimes.

Housework has never been my forte, but I do wish I could find a workable routine that would keep the clutter and papers at bay, and keep it all from getting too overwhelming. I feel better when things are clean and uncluttered, but I know myself well enough to know I will never spend hours at a time cleaning. I tore a couple discs in my back about 10 yrs ago and they quite literally won't allow me to do heavy cleaning. But if I'm honest I never liked doing it anyway. It does make me feel a wee bit better to know that there are others that have similar struggles.

I think it has to do with the constant attack from the right and the uncertainty of our future. Life is exhausting. The little things seem hard. I set a timer for five minutes in the kitchen. If I unload the dishwasher I race against the clock. My thought is I can do five minutes. On the laundry I keep an empty basket on the dryer. This way I can wash and dry a load and move it to the basket. I can start load two and move it directly to the empty dryer where it can wait another day until I fold both loads! The folding happens with a podcast or music and it usually takes way less time than I imagine. With the warmer weather I am trying to get outside every day even if it is to read and sip water. If I cook I make enough for three meals. One for leftovers another to pop in the freezer. This seems to help. I hope things get a little easier for you. Peace and love to you. . 🙏🏼💗

That's my sole motivation.

I do the housework but not nearly as often as I should. I have to go on a marathon cleaning binge before guests are expected.

And I know that most of my mental/physical lethargy is due to anxiety. When it flares, my mind goes into total 'what's the point' mode. In a couple of weeks my brother is leaving on a road trip to California and will be gone for about a month. At the same time, my niece and her husband are going to be in Montana for a week. My anxiety about that is already flaring. I'm not worried about something happening to me while they're gone. I'm worried about something happening to them. Especially my brother. I know I'll be a wreck until he's back, safe and sound.

AND I really need to schedule a 'wellness' visit with that callous APN I've been assigned. I think I'll schedule that for after my medication review. Hopefully this psychiatrist can get me on something that will ease the anxiety enough for me to function somewhat normally and get through an experience with that APN without having to spend the rest of the day curled up in bed.

So you see, you are definitely not alone.

for three hours. She only does the basics. But it means there is a cheerful person in the house. She gets things done, and that motivates me to do the rest. Now, I am going out more and keeping up with things when I am home.

Maybe this would work for you. Try it, if you can. Good luck.

And live in a hud apartment.
Don’t think I could afford that option.
But thinking about it choked me up. Dunno why it just did.

if someone would help you out for a minimum amount of money. I wonder if you called around to some local churches if they could find help.

Or maybe a gofundme for a small amount - $100. Tell people that you just need a little help with some cleaning.

But I am very much in the same boat right now. Can barely get motivated to get out of bed. I was thinking about taking some 5-hr energy but my fiance thinks it's awful stuff. Maybe I'll drink some green tea. Spin the tiny decision wheel. I dunno... just keep trying.

I had forgotten it and am thinking I need to start again too.

It is called self endorsement. The way they state is you endorse yourself, (give yourself a pat on the back) for all your part efforts. Such as even thinking about doing the dishes. "That's a good job thinking about doing the dishes There was a time when I wouldn't even think about it"

You wash one dish: "That was great that I washed one dish since I didn't want to wash any of them"
If you can keep this up you will be amazed at how it works. Very quickly you will begin to feel better about yourself - because instead of blaming yourself you are congratulating yourself.

Oh, and endorse yourself for writing your post. It took effort and it helped at least one person.......ME!