Languishing and Energy

[FeelingHopeless]

Hey folks,

This feels odd to me and wondering if anyone else has experienced the following.

I would describe myself as 'languishing'. Right now, I am content to just not do anything. At all. Am struggling to keep routines up where I do shopping regularly or laundry (though it does get do e, it might be a bit on the costly side).

However, when it comes to my day job, I rather volunteer and can spend 12 hours of intense concentration at a time for what is essentially programming (creatimg plans for emgineering works on the railway in the UK) when there is an emergency, yet I feel very out of depth in my regular day job at the same place.

With that in mind... I do not understand why I can not face my own life with such enthusiasm. If I can work 26 hours in two days, why can I.not devote a fraction of that energy to my real life? Or more accurately, magic up that same level of energy?

Anyone else get this?

 

[AvidFan]

Oh yeah. When I get deeply involved in something I can work such hours, I can sometimes do it all week, I have to manage my own workload entirely and be self motivated as I'm self employed. But when it comes to cleaning, or getting stuff done on the house, or let's face it shitty boring admin tasks whether work or life, my project management and organisational skills go out of the window. I much prefer working on things that are challenging and where I feel I can make a difference. That doesn't include things like laundry. As an example, for exactly one year now I've been opening my washing machine with a piece of string, as the handle broke last year and I haven't been able to find the motivation to go through the process of getting it replaced. Oh sure I looked into it, but apparently I would have to figure out disconnecting it for the delivery people to pick it up. I could never understand why they couldn't disconnect it for me, if they were going to connect the new one, so in the end I just gave up and made do with the string and I'm like, oh well it saves me £300 on a new machine 🤷

 

[FeelingHopeless]

Interesting... in so far as hobbies and outside interests, do you have anything going on?

 

[AvidFan]

Interesting... in so far as hobbies and outside interests, do you have anything going on?

I do quite a bit of running, and go to a group once a week. I generally do manage to make time for it, but even then work can take over, and if I get carried away with work I'll occasionally miss a run. The last year has been mainly work all the time though, am hoping to change that somehow in 2025! I don't see other people often except through work, and don't really do much else, which probably isn't the best way to be!

 

[FeelingHopeless]

See I struggle to do even that. I take myself to the pub for no more than 3 drinks and a bite to eat.

This is what I mean... there was a time when I fiddled about with coding and kept myself busy seeing people. Just when it comes to myself I just think... I am a bit of a mess at the moment.

How do you motivate yourself to do running?

 

[AvidFan]

See I struggle to do even that. I take myself to the pub for no more than 3 drinks and a bite to eat.

This is what I mean... there was a time when I fiddled about with coding and kept myself busy seeing people. Just when it comes to myself I just think... I am a bit of a mess at the moment.

How do you motivate yourself to do running?

It's a habit that's become ingrained, I associate it with feeling better mentally as I always feel better after exercise. I used to drink and smoke a lot and not be very motivated at all, got into running after I quit smoking and it's just stuck, I actually enjoy it. I hope you can find a way to apply your energies outside of work, maybe you just need to get unstuck somehow. Our personalities tend to drift in certain directions and need a little push sometimes!

 

[may71]

If I can work 26 hours in two days, why can I.not devote a fraction of that energy to my real life?

It's easier to do things that you are in the habit of doing, just because everything is familiar and you've just adjusted yourself to doing it. If you also enjoy what you do, that makes it easier too. Similarly, I can make lots of posts on SF, but have a hard time with doing just about anything else.

It may also be that because of the effort you put into making engineering plans for the railway, you have less energy for other things.

These links may have some info that would be helpful:

Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture, World's Second Largest Medical System

Self-Treatment and Miscellaneous

 

[FeelingHopeless]

It's reassuring to know I am not alone - I appreciate the responses.

I have to get comfortable being uncomfortable ie take the path of least resistance.

 

[may71]

I have to get comfortable being uncomfortable

I have mixed feelings about that. On the one hand, effort is often needed to get good results, so that involves an element of pushing yourself. On the other hand, forcing things can create a lot of problems.

 

[FeelingHopeless]

That's true - however I think I am at the phase whereby I need to force something as I feel like I have stopped completely outside of work.

 

[shadowrider]

Hey guys,

It is a shame that we do everything else but when it comes to doing things just for ourselves we struggle. What I realised is when people talk about routines I think we got into a routine where we do nothing for ourselves that is are routine so it's harder to try and find a new routine when we've been in this same routine for years. I hope you understand what I mean tho.

When we get older we tend to change without noticing so it gets even more harder to find a routine. I tend to think the best way for me to try and start a new routine is at first i force myself to do things. It's a constant battle we fight against ourselfs but it's what needs to be done. Like everyone on SF Being depressed is a struggle especially when we're trying to find something to do for ourselves.

I'm sorry I'm not doing to good so my concentration and thinking is kinda shite at the moment so I'm hoping what I wrote makes at least a bit of sense If not I apologise. I hope everyone is doing ok well okish 😊...

 

[KM76710]

It's reassuring to know I am not alone - I appreciate the responses.

I have to get comfortable being uncomfortable ie take the path of least resistance.

You are not alone and I hope that you know that there is a place here where you have a spot. Always welcome to join in, post and know you are heard.