It's a dark and gloomy day. I have appointments all afternoon, laundry that needs done, dishes piling up, kids still in their jammies, I need to exercise....and I don't wanna do any of it!!!!! How do you find motivation on days when you have none?
Just wanted to say thanks, nice to know I'm not the only one who woke up feeling this way today.
I'm all out of sorts and should have had a great day, everything is done, kids are good, hubby is due home from work soon, yada yada..... but i'm in a funk, still in my jammies and have no desire to even be on the computer, or read, or any of the things I normally enjoy if I get a few spare minutes.
I think all of us have been there. I try to focus on one thing at a time- otherwise it's just overwhelming. I force myself to do 1 thing -usually whatever is easiest, so I actually get up ;) I usually find that once I've done that one thing, I just keep moving and get the rest of it done too (or at least a good part of it).
Hang in there- it'll pass! :)
LOL..... If I am reading and answering your question, then what makes you think that I have anymore motivation than you?! :))
Have you ever watched the show Hoarders? That usually gets me moving! lol
coffee...:) seriously, I find that the computer, phone and texting tend to tie up more of my time than it should. Close the lap top and start your day. Once you get into it, you will feel better.
LOL... I DON'T do "all those things". When I'm completely and totally burnt out I take a mental health day. I phone appointments and reschedule. I let the housework go. I, to the best of my ability enjoy the bejeebers out of the day.
I find I get more done on 'accident' those days, just because I'm happy, than when I try and force myself.
I would do my excersice first because:
a) that would make me feel good
b) it would give me energy
c) the dishes and the laundry can wait (unless you and your kids don't have nothing to wear today)
Dink a nice cold glass of water, take that nice summer dress/shirt/pants that you so want to wear but don't fit yet, and just start!
The get your kiddos dressed and go.
Have a good day!!
1. Never, ever allow the weather to tell you what kind of day to have.
2. Get dressed, whether you feel like it or not. This includes shoes.
3. Get some good food in you before you get some into your children.
4. Play some sort of music to get you going. It can be cheerful or dramatic or sad, or whatever works for you. At least this helps me. TV or books don't get me going; they get me staying in one place.
5. See how many steps you can use up moving from room to room (or up and down stairs, if you have some) in your house. Look. You've started exercising.
6. Start a load of laundry. Look. You've accomplished something.
7. Set an example for your kids. ("Oh, no, I knew you'd bring up that one!")
Sometimes you can't find motivation, so you just have to make some yourself. Hope your day gets better and better. :^)
Yep it is a dark gloomy day. So why not just stay in your jammies too and spend time with the kids. Call in sick. Cancel your appointments and have a quality movie day. It will all still be there tomorrow when you can send the kids out to play.
Make a list, set a timer for every 15 minutes of work take a mini break...not in the mood to exercise? Get silly...crank up the music and dance with the kids
= ) Have the kids help out, make it a race...who can do _____ the fastest?
Some days I say its pajama day and let the kids stay in PJ"s and we have breakfast for dinner or heck even sometimes for lunch.
Sometimes when I am lacking motivation to exercise I get dressed in my exercise clothes and then begin my day...Also, nobody ever died because laundry didn't get done ; ) plus it can be done in the evening. The dishes in the sink would get to me though, and I'm with you...I hate afternoon appointments! I scheduled all of mine this week also so come Wednesday I will be feeling exactly what you are feeling. I just tell myself at least no one is seriously ill (except perhaps for my current mental state), and try to motor through the day. Good luck!
Go back to bed, finish your nap, then get up drink some orange juice, then maybe start with the dishes to get you going. After that try your exercise. Once you clear one area, you might get energized to do the rest.
Just don't do what you don't have to do.
Then, just be a slug on the sofa.
:)
I'm having a hard time with today myself it it makes you feel any better. I think with the snow day of Friday and todays crappy weather I just want to crawl back in bed. Our day started off with all of us waking up only 10 minutes before it was time to walk out the door and it has been sluggish since then.
I weigh the costs. If I didn't exercise, make my appointments, do the laundry, do the dishes or dress the kids what would happen and could I live with the consequences.
Exercise helps give you the energy to get things done. Teaching the kids to get up and get dressed in the morning to be prepared for their day and what the day may hold is good training for success for their future. Laundry can only wait for so long before you run out of clean panties.
Sometimes things just fall of the list and I boil it down to what needs to be done. While I may have 4-5 things on my list. Honestly only 2-3 tjhings have to be done and some days I only do what has to be done on that day. It helps to remove the stress.
Other times I just skip it all and rest. Rest is just as important as doing things. I schedule rest in. It keeps me sane.
Look over the day for anything that can go. Exercise...find something not to strenuous or just let it go. Jammies... Pajama day! :) Laundry...yuck. That one usually has to be done. But started is half done.
Seriously though, I throw on some headphones and listen to an interesting book while I clean or turn on some music and just start.
I'm a list person. Every night make a list of 6 things you need to do the next day. Laundry, dusting ect as you go through your day check off the items on your list, even if you don't get toeverything on yor list it feels so good to see the items checked off. I can fold laundry or wash dishes while on the phone, so if a friend calls I often get dishes done and laundry folded while on the phone.
As far as the exercise goes, check out how many calories you will burn if you do your regular routine, add a few minutes and have a nice chocolate treat.
It's dark and gloomy here in Wisconsin too but at least the snow is melting. I can see my flowers coming back to life so that makes me feel better.
Sometimes I just set myself on autopilot and do it.
I make a list of what needs to get done that day including exercise. I put big circles to the left of each item and fill them in as I complete each one. Sometimes I write a little note of encouragement next to it: "all done", "yay"....
I reward myself along the way. I'll think of fun things to do when I'm done with a chore... "when I finish vaccuuming, I'm going to sit down and have a cup of tea and a cookie and after I wash my car I'll call my girlfriend and chat", or if the whole day is crazy busy then I'll plan a half hour before bedtime to watch mindless TV or read that book I've been saving.
I'm with Riley. I usually handle things every day, but sometimes when I get overwhelmed, I let it go. The kids and I can stay in our jammies, turn on Judge Judy, play on facebook, read some mamapedia, etc. Usually it just takes me a few hours to chill and then I'm ready to get the housework done.
Take some "me" time. It's not going to hurt anything.
Start small... do some excersies (sit ups/jumping jacks/leg stretches), say a prayer, eat something healthy, give your kids an activity, take a shower and get dressed and put on lots of lipstick! Put in one load of laundry and start on the dishes... now you feel accomplished.
Here are a few short (like 3 mins long a piece) videos that are extremely motivational. There are about 40 of them and I watch every one when the mood strikes. They will leave you feeling motivated, and loved! Then... turn off the computer so you wont be tempted to start browsing around and get nothing done ;)
on motherhood:
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?autoplay=true&index...
on marriage:
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?autoplay=true&index...
you are never alone:
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?autoplay=true&index...
tender mercies of the Lord:
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?autoplay=true&index...
on being hopeful of good things to come:
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?autoplay=true&index...
on creating:
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?autoplay=true&index...
on lifting burdens:
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?autoplay=true&index...
on having a hard time:
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?autoplay=true&index...
Take 15 minutes to ignore the house work, and play something with the kids,(make it something YOU will enjoy play candyland, build a fort ? Read them a story, get them to exercise with you, or teach them a funny song you remember from your childhood make up some words if you need to !) maybe it will brighten your mood.
I have always hated to exercise. About 6 months ago, I started doing yoga (Iyengar) and I have felt so great during and after doing it that it has been very easy to get myself motivated to do it. I make lists - I LOVE to cross things off! Do you like motivational quotes? Here is a link to some of my favorites: http://www.anythingpiano.com/motivational_inspirational_q...
A very strong cup of tea and good music. (I actually have a mental file of 'housecleaning cds' that fit the bill and just throw one on to get going.)
It also helps me to make a 'realistic' list of my day, which means that I add in showers, snacks, meals... all the 'daily' stuff I have to make time for. That way, I'm not working through 'unlisted' stuff to get to the 'listed' stuff that I actually get to cross off. For me, crossing off the list gives a feeling of accomplishment, which just feels better.
Sometimes, too, in a situation like yours, I have to remind myself that if I don't get my other stuff (laundry, dishes, etc.) going beforehand,those afternoons appointments will seem less relaxed and more difficult. Motivation may be elusive for me somedays, but logic is much easier for me to access from within!
Good luck-- now get movin'! ;)
i just take things 15 minutes at a time. ill work for 15 then do what ever it is that id rather be doing. its amazing what can be done in 15 minutes. blast some music, dance around. (dancing always gets my energy levels up) and just try to have some fun with your tasks!
sorry Betsy! i didnt even read your post! great minds think alike i suppose!!
