I am having a day completely lacking in any motivation whatsoever. I woke up exhausted. I'm hobbled while recovering from a broken leg. And just returned from a 14 hour car drive last night. The kids aren't hurting - they're happily playing in the back yard. But I have a sink full of dishes, suitcases to unpack, rooms to straighten, and I just can't do it. At all. I can't even have any coffee because we are out of milk and I would have to make the effort to go to the store to get milk, and I can't even do that...
How do you motivate yourself to get things done when all you want to do is lay in bed watching old reruns? Or do you not push and allow yourself that flexibility and promise a more productive day tomorrow?
Thanks, all! I feel so guilty being lazy. It's nice to hear your responses. I fell asleep at 7 pm, so I guess I was legitimately exhausted! Hit the grocery this morning for milk and I'm having that coffee!
Broken leg? Long trip. Please - to bed with you!!!!
Bon bons, rerun, trashy novels whatever relaxes you. Do bare minimum to keep children alive. Make them wait on you for a change. Until the dishes run out or start sprouting life forms no one will die from a day of rest for broken legged mama. Order in pizza. No dinner. Rest.
To me, it sounds like you need this day to rest.. You have been going, going, going. Take advantage of the fact the kids are happy. They are playing and happy. That doesn't always happen, so, I say rest. You have a broken leg, that's enough to make me not want to move.
Watch old rerun's and be productive tomorrow. Things will still be there tomorrow.
I have fibromyalgia, what you describe is my daily battle. I hurt, my brain is foggy, consequently I'm not motivated to do anything more complicated than breathing.
I do take the time to rest when I need to, about half the time. The other half I push myself in spite of my pain, because I always hurt in some way. My motivation comes in the form of my 4 year old grandson, whom I've been raising since he was 3 months old. I'm his security in this world, knowing he needs me gets me up and going :)
No motivation needed from what you've been through. You need rest. Everything can wait. It will still be there tomorrow.
With a broken leg, sweetie, you're not 100%. That long car ride took a lot out of you. It's okay to rest and let the dishes wait!!
I hope your leg gets better soon. I have a friend who has been in the hospital for 2 weeks due to a compound fracture in two bones in her leg, from falling off her high heel! It was scary to see and so hard waiting for the ambulance. She has her second surgery in a few days. I hope your's isn't as involved!!
Rest and let tomorrow be "another day"!!
Tomorrow, tomorrow..in the great scheme of things, one more day is not going to hurt anything. If nothing else it will make them appreciate you.
Like the story of the guy who came back home from work and the bikes were in the driveway and the kids were dirty and the house was a mess and no dinner on the table. He finds his wife in the bed eating bonbons.
He asks her what in the world is going on. She says, you know all those things you say I don't do? Well, today, I didn't do them.
On a day like that? I'd do it tomorrow.
Rest. Give your body a chance to get better.
Pushing yourself to clean/tidy will only make you get worse.
You need "down time".
So take it.
The stuff can wait.
I'd let the kids have some play time, and me some relax time, and then when they come in ask them to wash the dishes, straighten the rooms, and assist you in unpacking (you sit and point to where things go).
Perhaps you could phone a friend for the milk?
Seriously...chill. everything will still be there when you have the motivation to do it. But use those kids as much as you can.
The coffee issue would have gotten me out for milk. Ask a neighbor for some milk. Other than that, it will all be there tomorrow. Take a mental health day or two or three.
Tomorrow! Or the next day! Enjoy some rest :)
I don't try to motivate myself when I need to rest. I've learned that while sure, you may get things done, tomorrow or a following day you will be in worse shape. At least I am. I allow things to go crazy whenever needed because as far as I'm concerned my personal well-being and health are more important in the grand scheme of things than dirty dishes or a messy home.
You said the kids are happy so allow them to be as they are and take the day, or week for that matter, to rest and allow yourself time to actually recuperate and heal.
Depending on what needs to be done, if I have to get up I just do it without thinking. Just blank out my mind and do what needs to be done like a robot and then get back in bed ASAP.
If it is something that can wait, then I let it. I don't have those days very often so when I do have one, I just roll with it. I find that the next day I am full of energy and ready to tackle it all!
Can you call the neighbor and borrow a cup of milk?
Some from column A, some from column B, and I enlist help. I am not afraid to say, the best thing I can do for all concerned right now is to take a nap, then I take a nap. After the nap, I am better able to get things done, and can put in the push needed. Also, I enlist help. Get online and get your groceries delivered, get a groupon for a maid service, get the kids to do the laundry, call a friend, a neighbor a co-worker or your spouse and ask them to carry some of your load. You'll return the favor down the line.
good luck to you and yours,
F. B.
