Hobbies
There is nothing I enjoy doing more than emotional eating and Internet
In the past, I had some hobbies and lost interest
As a result I have nothing to show for my efforts
On days off, I just go between one YouTube video and the next one
Too lazy and apathetic to accomplish anything
Also fear failure
Zero cash, zero "friends", zero interest and zero skills
I feel like I have been just wasting away for a long time
That is not a good position to be in. It is important to expand your horizons. Find something new.
_________________
Author of Practical Preparations for a Coronavirus Pandemic.
A very unique plan. As Dr. Paul Thompson wrote, "This is the very best paper on the virus I have ever seen."
Internet good. Internet bad.
Yesterday I put all my internet devices in the trunk of my car for 24 hours.
I only used the internet to apply to two jobs at the library.
_________________
ADHD-I(diagnosed) ASD-HF(diagnosed)
RDOS scores - Aspie score 131/200 - neurotypical score 69/200 - very likely Aspie
Do you live alone? If so, that can play hell with self-motivation. I'm usually more active when there's a bit of pressure from others to get off my butt, though too much pressure makes me feel like shutting down.
When I'm alone for a long stretch of time I try to get at least one thing done every day. It's the same with hobbies as it is for ordinary tasks. I also feel overwhelmed very easily, so I use a variant the old trick of breaking the task down into smaller tasks - I decide what the first step should be, ignoring the rest for the time being, and then if I get that step done, decide on the next step, and so on. When even that feels overwhelming, I break the step down even further, so it's a micro-step that takes very little time and effort. It works for hobbies as well as mundane things, and it helps to stop me feeling so downhearted, because if I think "what an ineffective fool I am, I've done absolutely nothing," I can truthfully counter it with "well, not quite."
I remember writing out a task list many years ago, and my motivation was at a low ebb, and I sarcastically added a task "conjur up enthusiasm out of thin air." Of course it never got done, I was just expressing my despair at how inexorably languid and "lazy" I'd become.
CockneyRebel
Veteran
Joined: 17 Jul 2004
Age: 50
Gender: Male
Posts: 117,274
Location: In my little Olympic World of peace and love
In the past, I had some hobbies and lost interest
As a result I have nothing to show for my efforts
On days off, I just go between one YouTube video and the next one
Too lazy and apathetic to accomplish anything
Also fear failure
Zero cash, zero "friends", zero interest and zero skills
I feel like I have been just wasting away for a long time
Cycling? You may need a bicycle though or a trike.
When I'm alone for a long stretch of time I try to get at least one thing done every day. It's the same with hobbies as it is for ordinary tasks. I also feel overwhelmed very easily, so I use a variant the old trick of breaking the task down into smaller tasks - I decide what the first step should be, ignoring the rest for the time being, and then if I get that step done, decide on the next step, and so on. When even that feels overwhelming, I break the step down even further, so it's a micro-step that takes very little time and effort. It works for hobbies as well as mundane things, and it helps to stop me feeling so downhearted, because if I think "what an ineffective fool I am, I've done absolutely nothing," I can truthfully counter it with "well, not quite."
I remember writing out a task list many years ago, and my motivation was at a low ebb, and I sarcastically added a task "conjur up enthusiasm out of thin air." Of course it never got done, I was just expressing my despair at how inexorably languid and "lazy" I'd become.
This was helpful. I have many aspirations, but I wake up exhausted because I can't quite figure out what to do first. And of course those around me aren't trying to hear that.
this sounds like depression to me! Depression runs in my family and in many ways I have a lot of experience with that.
I want to ask some questions!
Are you on meds that might need adjustment?
This time of year the daylight is not as strong, could you have need for more bright light exposure ( seasonal depression is common)
Are you seeing a therapist who could help you find new interests and ways of "doing life" ???
I think it is great that you are reaching out about this. Once we recognize we are stuck in a painful rut, it is the first step toward a better life to reach out and ask for help. Don't give up, you are worthy of finding interest in life, worthy of finding peace and enjoyment. Keep trying new things and making adjustments there are so many alternatives and ways to handle depression these days that nobody needs to suffer. I applaud your courage and healthy self advocacy in reaching out. you are a valuable member of this group and you are not alone. Keep us posted.
_________________
https://oldladywithautism.blog/
"Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.” Samuel Johnson
When I'm alone for a long stretch of time I try to get at least one thing done every day. It's the same with hobbies as it is for ordinary tasks. I also feel overwhelmed very easily, so I use a variant the old trick of breaking the task down into smaller tasks - I decide what the first step should be, ignoring the rest for the time being, and then if I get that step done, decide on the next step, and so on. When even that feels overwhelming, I break the step down even further, so it's a micro-step that takes very little time and effort. It works for hobbies as well as mundane things, and it helps to stop me feeling so downhearted, because if I think "what an ineffective fool I am, I've done absolutely nothing," I can truthfully counter it with "well, not quite."
I remember writing out a task list many years ago, and my motivation was at a low ebb, and I sarcastically added a task "conjur up enthusiasm out of thin air." Of course it never got done, I was just expressing my despair at how inexorably languid and "lazy" I'd become.
This was helpful. I have many aspirations, but I wake up exhausted because I can't quite figure out what to do first. And of course those around me aren't trying to hear that.
Glad to hear you found my post helpful. Figuring out what to do first - I've been stuck like that. It's as if I can't make a start until I've been through my list and found the task that I should do first. Then I get bogged down in finding that perfectly, which can't usually be done. One way of clearing that block is to notice that if it's not obvious which task should be done first, then it doesn't matter, so it's OK to just pick one at random without further deliberation. My gut reaction is often that I can't face it, I have to fight that feeling a lot. Mostly I suppose I do that by thinking about how bad I'm going to feel if I end up doing nothing. Kind of using my fear of that against my fear of getting on with my work.
Sorry to hear your cohabitees aren't being helpful. Some people do more harm than good when they apply pressure in a negative way. I've known people like that, and they've usually made me feel less like complying with their "requests."