Lack of motivation is one of the main signs of depression. However, it doesnt mean that you have this mental illness. We all might have no energy for endeavors and struggle from lack of motivation from time to time.
In this article, we will help you find out reasons you dont feel motivated enough. Also, we will discern the feeling of being unmotivated from clinical depression diagnosis. Lets get started!
Are Depression and Lack of Motivation the Same?
Lack of motivation is connected to your struggles to find a sense of purpose in your life. This feeling is pretty common for many people, especially for the younger generation. Also, many confuse depression and a common lack of motivation.
In fact, depression is a much more complex mental health disorder that includes plenty of other symptoms like fatigue, physical aches, anxiety, and so many more. Lets discover the symptoms of depression. Thus, you can define whether you simply lost inspiration and interest or have problems that require therapy or even medications.
Symptoms of Depression
Check out the main symptoms of depression so you can discern this mental disorder from a simple lack of motivation.
In case you have many depression symptoms, dont hesitate to get professional help:
- lost interest
- sleeping disorder
- constant fatigue
- anxiety
- increased irritability
- appetite change
- weight fluctuation
- lack of focus and concentration
- isolation from family and friends
- headaches
- muscle pain
- restlessness
- pessimism
- feeling of guilt
Reasons You Might Lack Motivations
Down below, you will find out what are the main reasons you might feel low and experience the absence of interest.
You Are Overwhelmed by Your Goal
One of the most common reasons people might feel unmotivated to pursue their dream is pretty simple. You set an unrealistic goal, and its too big for you to tackle at once. Down beneath, you understand that you are unable to achieve it at the moment.
Perhaps, you dont even try to put your efforts into its realization. All in all, you dont have to quit your dream. Still, the best advice will be to divide it into smaller chunks. Thus, you can get a more clear, smaller, and achievable goal.
Define the first step you need to take to become closer to your general goal. Once you figure it out, you can divide it into even smaller parts. It will help you see clearly what needs to be done and, as a result, you will get your motivation back. You will easily understand what you should do right now.
You Dont Believe in Your Potential
Another common reason for lack of motivation is a lack of confidence. If you dont believe in yourself and dont see your own potential for success, then, most likely, your goals and dreams will stay in your head forever.
You dont lack inspiration you are simply afraid of failure. No one is safe from screwing things up. However, it doesnt mean that you have to stand still and give up on what youve been dreaming about.
Believe in yourself, find courage and confidence to start doing things you felt unmotivated to do. We know its not that easy as it sounds. Still, its something you need to do to get your inspiration and interest back.
You Feel Stressed and Exhausted
Very often, we get overwhelmed by our daily routine, responsibilities, and chores. Its no wonder we feel stressed and exhausted. It can be another reason you have lost your interest in important things. In this case, the best advice will be to get some really good rest. Take a few days off and spend this time home doing things you enjoy or take a short trip.
It will easily bring you to life. Once you are fresh and rested, you will see your interest come back to you. Also, it will be recommended to avoid daily stress to stay happy and healthy. Find a way to avoid fights, misunderstandings, and dont overwhelm yourself with tasks you are unable to do anyway.
You Dont Do Enough
If you feel unmotivated, it might also mean that you dont do enough to accomplish your goals. Many people tend to avoid discomfort and settle with mediocre results they get. It is not the way how it works. To become inspired again and keep going even if its hard, you need to see that your efforts bring results.
To make it happen, you will have to work hard. Dont be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and do more than you got used to before. Once you feel that your dreams come true little by little, your interest will grow exponentially. Only by working restlessly, you will be able to achieve your goal.
You Forget About Rewarding Yourself
Sometimes people who work hard want to get outstanding results pretty fast. Once they dont get it quickly enough, they feel frustrated and lose interest in what they do. It is not the right approach to implement in your life. Great results dont come overnight. It might take months or even years, depending on what you are pursuing.
However, its important to appreciate even your small steps and victories. You have to understand that these are still great results. To feel inspired and motivated to keep moving forward, you should reward yourself after each of these small achievements.
It can be something yummy you love but didnt let yourself eat, a short trip, a day nap, or a spa day with your friends. It can be anything that will show you that you are doing the right thing, and you should work even harder.
You Lack Time-Management Skills
In some cases, people dont lack ambition and desire as they simply dont know how to spend their time wisely. Some of you might want to tackle multiple tasks at once. It is not something that will help you achieve your goal faster.
Instead, you will feel uncollected, unproductive, and, most likely, you will quit completing your small tasks and goals halfway. Learn to use your time properly. Get yourself a planner, write everything down, and come up with a schedule that you will stick with. It will help you not to waste time, be focused on one task at the moment, and accomplish your goal.
Tips to Get Motivation Back
Check out some effective ways that will help you get your motivation back. Read carefully to get back on track and become more inspired to tackle all your endeavors.
Set the Right Goals and Start Working
To become inspired and ambitious again, you have to understand the main goal you want to achieve in your life. Think about it and write it down as a reminder that you have a dream to come true someday. The next step will be to start working on each of your goals. At first, you will have to force yourself to get your hands dirty. But then, you will feel the enjoyment from the process all over again.
Online Therapy Sessions
If you feel down all the time, have no ambition and desire to do basic routine things, and cannot cope with this state by yourself, its better to get professional help. Many people refuse therapy as they dont have time to see a specialist or cannot afford it.
In this case, online therapy will be a perfect solution. It doesnt require your physical presence at a doctors office, and its much less expensive than in-person therapy.
There are different communication ways to choose from. You can opt for text therapy as well as for phone calls and video sessions or combine everything. The effectiveness of online sessions is the same as in-person treatment. So, you can be sure that you will have tangible results soon.
Healthy Habits
Healthy habits can promote your mental and emotional health, and in combination with professional therapy, you might feel some positive changes pretty fast. It will be recommended to practice physical activities regularly. Meditation will be extremely beneficial for getting your emotional peace and ambition back.
If you dont have much time, you should take a brief walk every day. You should also eat more healthy food rich with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients as well as drink lots of water. Getting plenty of sleep will let you feel more energized and inspired to do things you didnt want to do before.
Final Thoughts
We all have gone through a period with a complete lack of desire and inspiration to do not just things we enjoy but also some routine tasks. Its quite normal, but you have to do your best to overcome this period. Set up the right mood and avoid real depression, which can be a problem for you.
Here are important things you should remember:
- Lack of motivation is nothing like depression. It is not a mental illness but a temporary feeling that will fade away if you put a little bit of effort
- There are several reasons you might feel a lack of inspiration and desire: setting unrealistic goals, being unconfident, not doing enough, being stressed and exhausted
- In case you have some depression symptoms in addition to a lack of motivation, dont hesitate to turn for professional help
In order to feel better and find your motivation, you can learn more about our services and specialists on board. Dont hesitate to sign up for your account and start improving yourself.
Kate has a B.S. in Psychology and M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and has worked in healthcare since 2017. She primarily treated depression, anxiety, eating disorders, trauma, and grief, as well as identity, relationship and adjustment issues. Her clinical experience has focused on individual and group counseling, emergency counseling and outreach.
Read more
