We have all gotten to the point where we have absolutely no motivation to do anything. I'm at that point right now. I can experience this feeling in prolonged chunks of time due to my depression. However, its also a classic symptom of burnout and, quite frankly, just an ordinary part of the human experience. Knowing what to do when you wake up feeling this way will make it much more manageable and keep it from feeling like the end of the world.
1. Let yourself feel unmotivated.
You don't have to constantly be pushing it away. Being a workaholic is so normalized now that many feel like they can't take a day off and that they aren't supposed to be unmotivated. However, its a completely normal feeling and they only way to properly handle it is to allow yourself to feel it and process it before you try to make it go away.
2. Rest.
Take a day to yourself and relax! Sleep all day, binge a Netflix show, pamper yourself. Do whatever makes you feel rested and relaxed. Before conquering the motivation problem, you need to get at its source: exhaustion.
3. Tackle a REALISTIC to-do list.
If you're like me, you like to load up your days with an impossible amount of things and then feel like a failure when you inevitably don't get them done. Conquering one or two things at a time can get you back on your feet and feeling like you can get stuff done again. Take it slow. You don't have to rush back in.
4. Clean something.
You don't have to go all Marie Kondo on your house. Just straighten up your room or your workspace. Throw a load of laundry in. Make your bed. Something small that will make you feel more put together. You know what they say: a cluttered space equals a cluttered mind.
5. Spend some time with a loved one.
Today, I spent some time with my boyfriend and he made me feel so much better. Being around someone you love can make you feel grounded and maybe even bring back a little motivation to do something later on.
6. Exercise.
Exercise is such a wonderful thing to do if you aren't feeling like yourself. Sweat and endorphins can make you feel like a new person. You're doing something good for your body and mind by getting active. It helps with energy levels, sleep, depression, and a host of other things. Trust me, you'll thank yourself later.
7. Write in your journal.
Even if you aren't a serial journal person, writing down how you feel and working through it on paper can help a lot. It gets the thoughts out of your head and allows you to reflect on what got you here and how you can get yourself out.
8. Don't get down on yourself if you can't get yourself to do anything!!
Finally, if you physically cannot get yourself to move, that's okay. You just need more rest. Taking small steps to feel better at your own pace is the best thing you can do. Don't feel like you're being lazy or you have to complete everything you want in one mental health day. Take things slow and do what feels best.
