Struggling to Get Things Done

Lately I've been having a hard time completing difficult tasks. Tasks like taking a shower, fasting for blood work, picking things up off the floor and going to the doctor. It truly bothers me. Especially when I miss doctor appointments. I don't understand. I just don't feel like struggling. And all these things cause me to exert myself or suffer. Sometimes we just gotta do the crap work. I know. But for some reason I'm having a hard time. My house is a mess. With all kinds of junk on the floor. I feel bad about it. I guess I just have to push myself.

Hey. Just wanted to say I know what that feels like. I’m sorry u are there right now. It sucks bc I so want to do these tasks and have completed them a 1000 times already in my head that I am exhausted, yet for some reason cannot get up and actually do anything besides breathe. It’s like I’m paralyzed.

So another day goes by without me washing the overflowing pile or dishes or the loads and load of dirty laundry that mock me every day. And when you can’t get yourself to do what should be simple tasks, I end up feeling like a pathetic failure. Then the guilt and shame piles on and the mess gets bigger and the task more and more overwhelming and it seems impossible. And the cycle continues.

Idk if “pushing yourself” works; usually I try and fail and just end up hating myself even more. They say that breaking up tasks into smaller more manageable ones helps. Idk. Berating myself for failing to accomplish stuff hasn’t seemed to help me any, so maybe instead of pushing so hard, I should try to be kinder and more forgiving of myself and less critical when depression causes me to fail to accomplish something once again.

It sucks when you are struggling so hard to do tasks that other people seem to be able to do without even having to think about it.
Good luck with getting stuff done. Hang in there.

Yes, it seems being kinder and gentler would help more. I have to remember to show myself some compassion. Often I forget. I like the idea of breaking things into smaller tasks. That would help me with going to the doctor and doing household chores. I wish you success in getting tasks done. Thanks for sharing.

I picked some stuff up off the floor this morning. I felt semi-motivated to accomplish things today. I even changed out the tough litter box. I think I will treat myself to something special. Tomorrow will be a real challenge. I have to go to the pharmacy.

I understand what you’re saying. I have this problem as well. Some days it’s intolerable. Sending hugs and compassionate vibes.

I have the same issue. Some days I just can’t do anything. I do have dogs so I have to care for them every day. If not for them I might not ever get out of bed.
My therapist recommended these things. I have had limited success with them but thought I would share them in case they might help you.
1) break the tasks down. For example: Set a goal to get things off the floor for 10 minutes. That’s all. Do not focus on cleaning the entire room or floor. Just clean for short do-able increments of time.
If once the 10 minutes is completed, you want to keep going, you can. But you have done your 10 minutes and you have met that days goal. So you can feel good about it.
2) Try to exercise and get sunshine everyday. This will give you more energy overall.
3) Ask for help from friends and family members who can help. Having someone show up to help you can be a great motivator to get moving forward.
4) Imagine your friend lived in your house, instead of you. He/she asked for your help in getting the house in order. Then try to treat yourself as your friend and organize and clean your friends house.
5) praise yourself for any accomplishments.

Thanks! They sound like good approaches. I think I will try with my workspace/floor for a few minutes and let that be my goal. It's kind of cool thinking you're helping a friend out. That's a great way to show yourself some compassion. And then rewards, yes!

I spent the past two days focusing on taking tasks one step at a time. And I rewarded myself. I feel pretty good about that. It helped a lot.

Those are all really excellent suggestions from other posters. I also find that it helps if I can really narrow my focus, picking out only one task, and focussing on it until it is done, no matter how long it takes.

Not that this is easy. Usually, the whole time I'm doing it all the other tasks I'm not doing are clamoring away in the background, driving me nuts.

I go through days (especially on my days off) where I plan to do things, but feel paralyzed and cannot move. The best thing that I can do for myself in that situation is to force myself up and out of the house.Even if I just walk around in the yard.

I find making plans for every day helps, even if it's a small thing. If I just stay home and do nothing I feel worse.

i know exactly how you feel. some days i even struggle just making the bed. and even going to doctor and therapy appts overwhelm me. i just tell myself: small steps, and then they lead to bigger steps. i know i have it in me, even though my brain says otherwise. just dont feel like you have to accomplish it all at once. it'll all come and get done in time. you can do it. just prioritize.all the best!

(((((((((( hugs )))))))))))

Well Friday was my big doctor appointment. I made it through the fasting and I made it to the appointment. I'm really happy with myself. I have two more appointments this month. I feel pretty positive about them. Like, I made this one. So I can make those too.

One thing about this week, I'm not sure if I want to run an errand. I have no appointments. I just don't know if I can take care of this errand this week. Like someone said, one step at a time.