Keeping up with daily chores/tasks

[RecreateMyself]

Hi, does anyone have any tips for keeping up with cleaning, grocery shopping, paying bills when u are depressed. I can’t seem to force myself to do anything except lay around and look at social media. My house is a mess so I can’t have the cleaning lady come since I have stuff everywhere... my mail is piled a foot high in a box and I’m buried in laundry. I don’t mean to sound so negative but it’s been a struggle for over 1 year and it’s not changing. I’ve isolated myself from everyone so it’s not like I can ask anyone for help. Deep down I know what needs to be done but actually doing it has been impossible. Thanks for listening and hope everyone is doing well.

[hypercat54]

I could have written your post coz I am exactly the same. I don't have any answers though I'm afraid. x

[2bewellforu]

depression can take a long time on it's own to go away, sometimes years, so don't fool yourself, especially if your circumstances don't change. When I couldn't get meds as a teenager( because my parents didn't want to believe there was anything wrong), I suffered for 2 or 3 yrs straight. True, some depressions are minor and do subside in a reasonable amt of time, but if yours doesn't, get help

[Hidden]

There are some weeks I could have written your post myself. The depression, anxiety of living with an addict took it's toll on me and I finally had to file for divorce or totally lose myself. I've found that I need to break down ANY project, no matter how small or big you think it is, into smaller parts as to not get overwhelmed. It saves stressing about not getting something done all at once, and I get satisfaction that I at least got started on it. Take care.

[Hidden]

I've been there at times, too. Your mental health really can sap ALL your available energy and motivation. So give yourself some compassion for the place you're in - it's really hard. I would encourage you to do just the absolute easiest, smallest thing you can do, even if that's taking one letter off your pile of mail. If that is all you can manage right now, give yourself credit for that. I've also done things like set a 5-minute timer, and whatever I can get done in that 5 minutes is what I will do. Have your groceries delivered and set up your bills on autopay if you can - eliminate as much effort as possible. If you can get off social media, or even limit the time you spend on it, it will probably do wonders for your mind as well. I found that even just removing Instagram from my phone's home screen worked because without seeing that little icon, I wasn't tempted to click on it. Try some more intentional connecting over Zoom...since you're probably in quarantine like me!

[Begonia50 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, your time idea is so helpful!

[Hidden in reply to Begonia50]

I'm so glad! I hope it works for you like it does for me!

[Hidden]

Oh, and - I guess I was assuming you were getting help in the form of therapy or medication or both. But if you're not - DO IT. It's ok to need it! I've been on antidepressants for 18 years. There is absolutely no shame in reaching out for help.

[Sabio77]

RecreateMyself I know what it is like. I have had 3 deep depressions myself. it is very hard to be motivated. when the negative comes, take that thought/energy and reverse it into positive productive energy by doing what some people call "self-talk". its speaking positive words into your life like "I am ok for this moment". "I am valuable". "I can do this, one step at a time". You said that there's lots to get done. so, make a list, take a little bit at a time in the morning, and a little bit in afternoon each day. as you do it. no matter how big or small it is, do something. cross it off the list, you will feel like you have accomplished something. I urge you to listen to soothing music, aroma therapy, fresh air even if it is stepping out to the front sidewalk and back, get some sunshine, drink water, take a shower, write a journal of what you do, where you go, who you see. it helps. also keep posting here. it also helps to let it out. It took a long time to get to this point, it is a process so be patient with yourself. Here is a key factor to healing, take that determination of not liking how things are, the not wanting to thoughts and use it to do one little step of positive productive action. hope this helps you as it did for me.