Struggling with not getting out of bed. Binge watching Netflix, scrolling on my phone!

[Casivalentina]

Struggling with avoidance, escapism, procrastination. Staying in bed instead of doing things I need to accomplish. Leads to a cycle of shame and self loathing which leads to more escaping/avoidance. Feeling stuck. Anything that's helpful for others when they are stuck in a cycle of self destruction?

[Chufiii]

Hi! I'm currently struggling with the same thing and have been on and off for years. In therapy I have been learning to find things I used to love to do, and learning to love doing them again. I like going on walks is a simple one. I try to get up from bed by thinking about how good I will feel after a walk. Even though it doesn't feel that way in the moment. Also practicing ways to be patient with yourself. You are doing the best you can and some days will be harder than others. Start with small goals though like a 5 min walk today can turn into a 10 min walk tomorrow and so on.

[Casivalentina in reply to Chufiii]

Thank you so much for your response. I appreciate your insight and encouragement. I'm sorry you've been struggling as well. Hang in there! We've got this!!!

[Greenstones]

For starters I relate to this so much. The words you used and the way you phrased it was amazing.

I can only share my personal experiences but what I like to do is to think of something that i need to accomplish (or even something that isn’t a necessity but something I don’t feel like doing as I try to escape) that I know after I accomplish it it would give me energy to do more. Something I enjoy and makes me want to embrace reality. And instead of looking at it as though I am fully breaking out the cycle I look at it as I am only doing this one single thing. Then I enjoy it and do one more etc. before I know it I am a different person then the day before.

I hope this was helpful and if not, I hope you find what you need. Good luck.

[Casivalentina in reply to Greenstones]

Thank you so much for your response! I appreciate that your focus is on doing one simple thing, as opposed to the focus being breaking out of the cycle. Definitely helpful!!!!

[fauxartist]

Sometimes we fear not getting stuff done, maybe things we don't want to do, or don't think we will get everything done on our to do list....so we go through procrastination to paralysis. Most all of us do this from time to time for our own reasons....it's not always because we are lazy....In the past I used to fear I needed to do a job to perfection, and because I feared it wouldn't be, I procrastinated to the point of not even wanting to try. Sometimes my chronic fatigue from Long Covid and old age has me down....but eventually I'll get my little things done. But I no longer beat myself up about it....I do what I can when I can and that's good enough.

[Casivalentina in reply to fauxartist]

I appreciate your response! Thanks for sharing your insight. I can relate to the whole perfection barrier. I definitely struggled with that in the past. Info, now I've lowered the bar to the point where there is no bar, and that definitely is t the answer!! Sigh. Hang in there! Keep up the good work!!

[Gramas]

I understand how you feel. It’s a vicious cycle. You have things to do but it is so hard to get the motivation and energy to do anything. When that happens I too try to focus on just one thing to get done. I consider it an accomplishment if I complete that and then feel better about myself. Or sometimes I reach out to just one person and a good conversation or time spent together seems to motivate me to accomplish tasks. Other times I allow myself one day of doing nothing as long as I get back to getting things done the next day. I guess it all about getting in the right mindset but sometimes that’s difficult to do. Reach out if you ever need inspiration and I’ll do my best to help!

[Casivalentina in reply to Gramas]

Thank you so much for your response!! I meed to start focusing on that "one thing" to accomplish and build momentum. I think I need to get up, shower, get dressed and shut my bedroom door on days I'm home and not working. My bed is my "safe place" and where I've spent way too much time isolating, binge watching, etc. I undermine my success when I exercise zero self discipline! And, occasionally, like you said, give myself permission to have a do nothing day. Thanks again!!

[glpike]

I have similar issues and found that light exercise, deep breathing and cognitive behavior therapy helps along with acceptance of things that we can't control. Not perfect, but better than the alternative.

[Casivalentina in reply to glpike]

Thank you for your response. I'm finally going back to therapy. Meds haven't been helpful. I need to change my thought! My appointment is in a few minutes! I'm glad you've identified some things that work for you!!!!

[CatsandCheese]

I'm in the same place and age as you. Except I binge YouTube. I can't offer anything useful as I am in the same place, but I got up late last night and washed my hair and feel a lot better. I had WW 2 parents who grew up during hard times and felt you should be busy and getting things done every day. I have a lot of guilt. Wish you well. 🫂💐