Sometimes I try a 'just do it' kind of mentality and it has worked at times but at other times it hasn't. I'm not always sure how to just do something without thinking about why I'm so tired or unmotivated. But I will continue to try to do it and take ~m's advice on 10-15 minutes instead of an hour. Smaller steps may be the key.
~m has given you some great advice. The only thing I would add would be that when it comes to depression action usually has to come before motivation. This is one of the reasons why it can be so difficult to take positive action to help relieve depression. Someone who is not depressed usually feels motivated and then takes action - but again with depression action has to occur first. After the action is taken you may notice a positive increase in your mood and then the next time you have to take action it may be easier.
So the question is, how can you push yourself to take action with some of these goals without the motivation?
Meeting goals for self-care is tough. So easy to make excuses for excluding ourselves. I've found it helps to break goals down into smaller increments ... but do them more often. Like schedule a 10 min. walk around the block every day or read 10 min. a day... or 15 min. or 5 min... whatever seems do-able. Plan it for a week and then depending on how it went... adjust the time given or the activity if needed. I hope this helps.
Although I have tried to give myself some specific goals that I have really enjoyed in the past, I find that I never go through with my goals. I end up making excuses like being too tired, lacking energy or being too busy. It gets frustrating at times because lately I'm extremely worn out (more so physically nowadays as opposed to mentally). Can anyone offer any tips or suggestions to help me out?
The 3 goals that I have tried are:
-going for a walk at a park once a week
-playing board games with my sisters once a week (I try really hard to do this one)
-read a chapter from a book once a week
I still love reading and going out for walks...I've just had a hard time lately doing these activities. Help!
