I have the same issues with lack of motivation. It's hard to feel motivated when you don't really feel anything. All the things I used to enjoy, I just don't care about anymore. I have found two things that I can feel good about doing. It gives me a small sense of accomplishment. I crochet to help pass the time. I have financial issues like everyone else but I can usually find yarn at a big discount at yard sales and my husband buys it for me at auction. I like to make hats and scarves and put them in a donation box near my home. I feel like maybe I'm giving someone else a little joy and something they actually need. I used to have a huge flower bed that I loved working in. There's something so satisfying about seeing something you created thrive and bloom and add some beauty to your world. I live in an apartment now so no flower bed. I do have containers of plants outside that I can work with in the spring and that helps me to get some sun and exercise and I still get to see some results of my efforts. I keep house plants so I can still see and nurture something living in the cold weather. I really think having something green and blooming helps me to have something to do that I can see results of my efforts. It won't,t change your life, but it might help you to see that there is still life,even on the gloomiest days. I hope someone finds this helpful.

Motivation is a way of explaining our behaviour and our desire to do things. It gives us a reason to get up and follow our dreams and desires. It is also the reason we get up to have a drink when we are thirsty, and food when we are hungry. It is basically the difference between waking up and doing what we need and believe needs to be done or lying in bed or On The sofa all day. Some will mistake it as laziness but it's not. One of the main symptoms of depression is lack of energy and fatique, and reduced interest in activities. I personally think we lack motivation because we are depressed, and this results in us sinking into a deeper depressed because we haven't got things done that need doing. ( I am not speaking for everyone but speaking from my experience and because of sleeping n lack of motivation I just missed my dead line for appealing my pip assessment). So having both depression and constantly fatigue it will now make my life more unbearable and more scary.) I hope this answer helps

I have learned after years thinking about "Why do I have to "think about getting going" - I now have a ToolBox of things I like to do. I believe depression is not only a lack of motivation - It is a LACK OF JOY !!!
I keep a self-relief toolbox full of things that I enjoy doing - i.e. A few good books that I want to read, A calendar full of things I want to look into doing, a shopping list of things I need at the grocery store. Emails from the Art Gallery of what is on view. A list of programs that are mostly free at the library.. I don't let myself get into a deeply depressed state.

I believe not getting proper amounts of sleep each night can set you up for being in deep depresssion. I have said on this website that I keep a journal. Looking back on my past writings ( daily ) have let me know that I am thinking not doing !! That I need to get back to my routines !! My routines of sleeping every night, eating a balances diet, volunteering in my community - and helping others with the same mental health struggles that I have learned to cope with. Loved reading some of your ideas on this subject.
Hugs, Sandra

I tell myself that i am better than my lack of motivation, I can conquer this, one baby step at a time, I will get there. I also keep toxic people out of my life, who might criticize me for not doing better.

56quitter I know how u feel, manage to eat well and I workout a lot but I still feel like crap especially now in the winter months.thers has not been enough sun and i sit in front of my SAD light. I am having a hard time facing things and if there is no escape plan i just wont do it cause my anxiety gets too high.Anything social I have to have an escape plan where I can just leave and get home in a short time.I used to be an adventourous traveller and now I fear travelling away from home for too long.I went a way and visited a freind for a few days recently and of course I had developed a terrible migrane the whole time i was there.My mood swings and fatigue are so up and down it is getting unbearable. My zest for life is gone.
renn58 i hear you about the negativity and lack of motivation.Have to force myself to do things all the time and i may feel a bit better its just tiring to always feel like you have to do that.