I've been working from home since mid-March, and sometimes it feels like house arrest. My job is doable from home, but more difficult. The workload is increasing, but our pay has been decreased. With some of the unpaid time off, one would think there would be time to do the things I never get done, but that has not happened. I have started walking in the morning before work hours, and that has helped a bit. I have to fight myself to get out the door, though.

My question is, has anyone found a good motivator, at least on my days off to motivate myself?

Listening to music helps me, with playlists that have a strong lively beat.

Yes we have reached a lull in motivation at home. Some of it is due to the hot weather and we had those fires also. We have projects that require outside help and we are finding it difficult to find workers. They are either super busy or still sheltering. I have been too busy to sit down and make a plan with DH we have decided to take steps next week on days I know I can be home.

My motivation is doing this virtual endurance ride. If I didn't have the horse thing in my life I would go nuts in this crazy world. But I am succeeding in my weight loss goals, riding several times a week when possible and I get social time at the ranch and a few like minded friends who are beginning to see this shutdown in California for what it really is.

I don't think people in other parts of the country realize how bad it is here, especially in the liberal parts of the state. I looked at recent maps of what is open elsewhere in the US. We are in the midst of a social engineering experiment at this point. Saving lives is no longer the goal. Anyone who believes that, is part of the problem, not the solution.

People aren't getting sick and dying? It shouldn't be that hard for you to have a better grasp of what's going on without resorting to outrageous conspiracy theories.

I've been pretty lazy the past few weeks. It has been raining a lot so I can't do a whole lot outside. Supposed to be nice this weekend and I have it off and Monday off so I'm going to try and finish painting my garage door, the big window out front too. Looking at my back deck and sad, ugly doors, I realized I'm going to have to paint them both. I don't know what color I'm going to paint them but probably white. I also need to finish the paint job in the kitchen. I can't do one wall because they still have to fix the drywall where they braced part of the new porch.

ME!!!!!

Anne, I could use the same kick as you. I'm tired and not accomplishing what I'd like.

I'm making regular window appointments and visiting my mother. I'm keeping up with planning meals (at home) and laundry, but not much else. I haven't deeply cleaned house in weeks. Outside, I can stay busy. Inside, I've had no motivation somehow. And I like my house. It's very nice. I'm not doing it justice.

So. I'm back on my exercise bike and trying to remember to eat in the middle of the day. I can easily forget, not one who turns to food under stress and its the stress of the virus, politics, the protests, just has felt like so much.

I'm making myself do at least one little thing indoors each day and its helping. One morning I stripped the guest room bedding, refreshed all of it. Of course we have no guests coming ;0) I shampooed the carpet after cleaning out the armoire that holds all my gift wrap fixings in that room. Today I cleaned cupboards in the laundry room. I had a bank of drawers that had some of the oddest things shoved in, like about 35 pounds of assorted size batteries from Costco ;0)

DH hasn't said a word and has stayed very gracious. He continues to do his share and hasn't criticized. Really, I can't imagine why not.

Whenever I get home and I'm stuck at home I get depressed. I don't have enough days of work to really climb completely out of it. So yeah lack of motivation . I do spend time walking my dogs everyday and now I've started on one project but it is tough going this time around.

I'd like to know if there are actually people that no matter what they can stay physically fit and motivated. They aren't me or my family. I miss my muscles and I have to force myself to find them again.

I think some of these feelings are completely normal, given the circumstances, so forgive yourself.

Remember when this first started, many of us kept ourselves busy around the house, cleaning out closets, drawers, etc, and now that is done. Then spring came and we focused on outside until it became too hot or once again we did most of the things that needed to be done. So now, we are bored! I know many of you still work, and there are those like me who are retired and have lots of time on our hands, but it’s still a different lifestyle. We miss our families and friends and the freedoms to go some of the places we went pre-Covid.

There is no good answer for everyone. I do think it’s good to turn off the tv for a good portion of the day. At least try to read, listen to music, get the body moving, even if it’s in 10-15 increments. Listen to the quiet outside sometimes and enjoy it. If you can go to a park, even better.

I go for a 4 or 5 mile walk first thing in the morning. I love to walk at that time of the morning it is so peaceful and quiet then. I was just in Bismarck at my sisters for a week. We really didn't do anything except go to second hand stores for. I had to do that. All of my clothes are to big for me now since I lost 55 pounds since February. I do a 3 day fast almost every week and with the walking i lost it. I was to the doctor and I thought he would tell me it wasn't good to do that but he said if it works for you it is ok. He also took me off of my high blood pressure pill and in 3 months I have to back so they can check it. I read a lot about it on Youtube and decided to try it and when I am on it I am never hungry. Three of us get together for a few hours one day a week, of course social distancing just to talk and that is nice. I started going to church again and I think that helps too. Just seeing other people. I still have my DH so I am not here by myself. I think that would be harder. My sister doesn't have anyone there with her so it is really hard on her. I think it also helps that I live in a really small town and we have no cases here. I don't know if this will help anyone but thats my story.

When I got home yesterday I washed 3 loads of clothes and did my dishes and a few other things. I felt better after having done that.

O and in Bismarck my 3 sisters and I went out for lunch. That was really fun.

I've been home essentially for six months now except for my daily hike in the woods for 90 minutes. I have done nothing!! I am a slug. If I didn't have the peaceful hike in the woods every day, I'd go crazy. It's been our hottest summer on record and so I'm never outside except to water flowers. The heat, humidity, and mosquitoes are too much to deal with as is the current political situation which I hope will be resolved November 3rd.

I am a list maker. Instead of trying to remember to accomplish certain tasks, relieve your brain and put it on the list. My list basically a 9 X 11 sheet of printer paper with days of the week. Appointments are obviously set in stone and I fill in with other tasks you want to get done (from errands to chores). Crossing things off the list can be motivating too. With regard to cleaning, the public areas (kitchen, family room and powder room) take precedence over bedrooms.

Thank you for your responses. I am trying to get motivated. Right now I have a cat and a dog on my lap. Can’t disturbed them...lol. I hear of accountability groups... maybe I need one

We have step counter app on our phones, your daily bar goes from red to orange to green as you walk certain distances. DH has 'green streak' of over 100 days now -- keeping that streak going helps him get out of the house and moving.

The other day I was laughing that I'm less motivated to shave my legs these days. I figure that (a) we're avoiding crowds and (b) no one should be closer than 6' and who can see stubble at that distance, lol.

bengardening....Congratulations on the major weight loss! Fantastic!

I go for a walk around the neighborhood. 10K steps min. There's a route you can walk if you want to say hello to neighbors. It's more popular and you'll see people, if you care to.

Put out a few bird feeders. Pull up a chair and a cup of joe, watch birds. Relax. Get a few rays of sunshine, vitamin D.

I do NOT listen to the news or turn the TV on unless it's non-political. Watch DABL. We purchased a lot of fun movies and books.

I tell Alexa: Play the Bob & Tom Show(comedy). I don't listen to hear what they're saying, I just hear laughter. Laughter is nice. I have a play list of happy music.

Several neighbors purchased a new fun toy: ie: electric bicycle. Added new pets to the family when elder pets passed.

I shopped thrift stores to keep the cost down. Purchased new throw pillows. New art work. Now I'm home more I have something NEW to look at. I refreshed "the look".

I shopped end-of-the-season- sales. Purchased new door wreaths. New socks and underwear...things that wear out. Pretty...bright annuals to put on your outdoor walkways.

It's still a pandemic. I'm going to go look at the bedroom...I think it needs a rolled paint job on the wall to match the new artworks matting. ☺ Or maybe shiplap just behind the master bed.....☺

thank you Nicole. I have a lot more to go. but a feel proud of myself.

Motivation is relative! I was not all that highly motivated before the pandemic hit so I am not feeling all that guilty about not having much now. 😜

After a lifetime of working at two separate careers, I was winding down to almost full retirement through last winter. So I had plenty of time on my hands before........now I just have a bit more. I am also a list maker and have an ever increasing list of projects that I could do but for whatever reason (lack of motivation?), have not gotten to all that many.

I think part of it is that I know I have plenty of time to do these projects so I am in no rush to necessarily complete them :-) Since my personal gardening has always taken a back seat to my professional gardening services, I have been focusing more on that than my indoor projects and I have gotten a lot done. Waiting for a little cooler weather to finish up, as well as complete a couple of non-gardening outdoor chores before the weather turns fully.

There is a long, dismal and damp winter ahead so all those overlooked projects can fill that time....if I feel like it :-) I do not mind being on my own for 99% of my time. I am in contact with my family and close friends almost daily by phone, text or email and see my nearby immediate family every so often. And I have my dog and houseguest cat to keep me company. I avoid watching the news as it just makes me angry and raises my blood pressure but I have a couple of streaming services that can keep me entertained whenever. I may be accessing them a bit more than I should :-) LOL!

And I still have a couple of business projects that prevent me from becoming a complete slug!! Business clients always stimulate motivation :-)

YES! When all this pandemic stuff started my husband and I sat down and made a list of things to accomplish. We plan on selling our house in the near future, so we had numerous "spiff up the house" projects on our list. Have we done ANY of them? No, we haven't. In addition, I thought it would be a good time to clean out every closet in the house. Have I cleaned closets? Sadly, only one closet.

But to be fair to myself, we have had a few major issues to deal with other than pandemic stuff. Health issues and injuries, taking care of my elderly mother--ugh.

We were walking a minimum of 3 miles every day, and that was a great help to my weight loss. But then---foot injuries and I'm in a brace, so no walking. Last week our son had heart surgery, of course we couldn't be there. Then---heart issues for my husband, he goes in for a pacemaker this Tuesday.

I'm hanging on by my fingernails, I'm soooo over this year! I'm not sure I even feel too bad for not being motivated!

Edited to add: Sorry for whining--I know it could be worse, and many people are really suffering.

Sometimes just having a list of things to do, and not doing them can be enough!

I'd say you have every right to whine.((((((tvq)))))). Two loved ones with heart problems... that's a lot to handle! Plus being immobilized!... Hope you all heal fast.

My heart was in my throat all the time when DH went through his heart problems. It turned out to be angina but very scary. Then my dear sister has had heart attacks TIAs and strokes and has trouble sleeping for any length of time and I feel so badly for her. I can't imagine handling heart problems times 2. Best to you and your family.

Inertia is my friend - sloth is also here. Hopefully it will clear but it hasn't so far. I need a house cleaner! :(

I had been planning on getting the carpet cleaned this spring but then COVID hit and I don't want anyone in my home. I bought a Bissell carpet cleaner to tide us over. Well, that means taking an entire room apart, cleaning the baseboards, and dusting everything before it goes back. Did you know that if you have a cat who is a heavy shedder that fur will collect even on the back of a sofa that you never pull out to vacuum under? My house is spotless now. Even DH's closet, which I have nagged him about cleaning out as you couldn't see half of the floor, has been cleaned out and organized.

I am dreading winter though. I need to find a craft.

Chessey35: LOL--I'm pretty sure the sloth is my spirit animal these days!! Thanks for the laugh.

The best advice I ever received with respect to motivation was being told most people have the relationship between action and motivation backwards. My teacher told me if you wait to be motivated to do something hard, you will be waiting a long time or worse your motivation may come from some external emergency. First you begin doing the thing, then motivation comes as you see results and build competence.

The hurricane coverage distracted me from getting things done for several days. I'm thankful that friends I have near that area were spared but those that weren't spared will have a long hard road in front of them. I usually donate to a group that goes to hurricane ravaged areas to do clean up and such but I haven't heard anything from them.

Being an extrovert, having an increase in person get-togethers has been wonderful. Even for those that aren't we aren't made to be alone for months on end, it leads to anger, depression and all sorts of damaging problems.

OP: I have personally or tangentially know 15 people who have passed fromCovid 19.

That in itself is enough to bring anyone down! I'm sorry about that, Anne.

I have not been motivated to do anything beyond the daily housework, etc., I believe, mostly because I was so used to being home alone. Dh doesn't love being in the back room by himself as he works, though he usually takes calls there. I have always had a hard time doing any projects, large or small, when others are moving around me and occasionally talking to me.

I haven't had any motivation in about 2 months now. I have all of next week off and I don't know what I will do.

Same here although I did get a few things done today. There doesn't seem to be any end in sight. I took a walk last night and saw a lot of Labor Day parties going on. I crossed the street whenever I saw folks and wore a mask. I could see on one block a pretty big party--definitely way more than 10 people--no masks and smoking--an aerosol recipe for disaster.

Yes it is tough times. I try to find at least one thing that makes me happy each day. This may sound boring but it keeps me going. I get up with my two cups of coffee. Then I have music playing throughout our home. Old time southern gospel that I grew up singing in church. Everyday I read my Bible , make notes. Then it’s off to “party time”. Changed all the liners in our cabinets one day, cleaned out closets another day, Sewing kept me busy several days. Our grands riding by on bikes waving to us. Watching sky and waves crashing. Somedays off for the really fun of scrubbing bathrooms. Then there somedays I do nothing. I have a friend the very same age , she is in her eighties and cannot walk and depends on others to help her. She loved cleaning , cooking , sewing. When I get to thinking , I’m tired of this, think of my friend and how happy she would be dusting and puttering around her home. Life is very different, our families haven’t been in our homes since February. We all wear mask and social distance meeting in our yards. Yes, it’s not all good everyday but as we go to bed each day we will mention highlights of our day. At our age, we know it’s not many more years so we are trying to keep our legs moving. It’s not easy, but I have a 90 year old friend that tells me weekly, “We got this”.

I'm trying. I really am. I haven't left my home to go anywhere other than medical appointments. It's almost 6 months now. I'm starting to feel depressed. I see other people going places and enjoying friends and family. I want to. But, I don't feel comfortable. I am trying to protect an elderly parent. I feel sad that I am not doing anything. I've tried a million new recipes, read books, take walks but I'd love to go to the beach or the mountains. Heck, I'd be thrilled to go to Target or Trader Joes.

Annegriet, I'm sorry you don't feel able to go out, to speak of. Do you not feel comfortable chatting with a friend or family member in your yard or in a park? That is what keeps me sane... The previous month and/or two, I really felt depressed as there isn't much purpose to our days right now. Talking to people and family is key for me and yes, I'm very grateful to have dh here all the time. Well, almost all the time. ;) I used to feel guilty for doing so little throughout the day but have given that up as well. We do have our first grandbaby to look forward to in a month but we won't be able to see her for a couple of weeks. And then, for a very abbreviated period of time and with loads of ppe. These thoughts are happy and depressing at the same time!

Do you think it might be helpful to get some professional help? I hope you will keep posting whenever you're feeling low.

taking care of my elderly mother--ugh.

Some tasks that are required in elder care can be difficult, and talking about those difficulties is certainly OK. I think though that if you find it all distasteful you might explore alternatives. I'm sure most older people don't want to feel like they are a burden, on the contrary they probably want to be useful and loved.

At our age, we know it’s not many more years so we are trying to keep our legs moving. It’s not easy, but I have a 90 year old friend that tells me weekly, “We got this”.

Awesome friend!

One thing that I found in the Alzheimer's care group is that people lack the knowledge to care for someone before something happens. It may help others if people did talk about what is needed to care for someone. When I see a news story of an elderly or simply bedridden person who is found with bedsores I wonder if the people caring for the person even knew that the person in the bed or chair needed to be moved to prevent them.

Perhaps if I was compensated for accomplishing stuflf at home! I am highly accomplished at work and get paid fairly and my boss is very appreciative. I just told my DH I hear a lot of “good dog” but he does not applaud me or bring me a bacon treat! Lol. He does share in the cooking though.

Hi Everyone. Just wanted to check in. I am feeling less low the last day or two. I am thinking about professional help. I just haven't been able to make that leap yet. Thanks for listening. You guys are terrific.

I'm glad you've felt a bit better. And considering help could be a good plan too....at least give it a try, and I think you'll find you are one of many. Life has handed us a lot to bear just now.

In an article I was reading just last week, Dr. Duckworth (CMO of NAMI) said: adults are not alright in America.
And : There's a mental health crisis resulting from this pandemic.

Could you work through it on your own over time? Probably. Would it be more constructive to be given a plan and begin now? Yes, and you deserve to feel better.

Annegriet, good to hear you are feeling better. We had several virtual doctor visits and first thing they all ask at beginning of visit , what have you been doing and how you feel. Most of our family works in medical profession, so eyes are always on us. We have been fortunate during this time. Staying at home , but fortunately for us our kids live two blocks away. We haven’t been in their home since February. We meet in yard with mask . Hope you can find some joy in each day. Do reach out for help if days don’t feel good for you.

Here's a suggestion for those that are tired of sitting around.

Plan a trip, it could be for next year or later. Have fun looking up all the places you'd like to go. Then use it as a motivator to increase your exercise. Start getting in shape for those long hikes on the trip (or something equally motivating). Plan a trip to see friends, you want to be lean and fit for the visit. Travel is a great and fun motivator.

That sounds like a good idea, Raye, though I'm too lazy to put the work in for a trip that may not happen.