Current Events > Do you lose motivation doing what you like? (The rambling of a 20-something y/o)

(+) Yeah! (+)

Everyone I know struggles with answering this quite a bit, even when there are things that they're known for being good at. Personally it's also something that bugs me. Sometimes, I feel like I know exactly what I want and can do, and other times it kind of takes a toll on me, you know? This seems to be where my mind is at right now as I'm sitting at my job I hate.
Even now, it can feels feel good thinking about that sort of stuff and planning. It helps me get through the day. Not all the time, but when I'm in that mood.

Do you guys get like that at times? It might have to do with depression or something (and lord, I hope not). Doing things that you actually want to occupy your time with, but not having the motivation when you actually get that time. No, that doesn't apply to all people but it's weird how that work sometimes. Too much stress plays a part.

Kind of like right now. I just want to go home and maybe do some typing, practice editing, play with my camera for a bit. Lord knows I probably won't do any of that stuff when I get it. Laying on the couch and telling myself I'll do that stuff later on seems more accurate.

Honestly I'm just really bored right now. I have a little under 8 more hours of forcing myself to stay awake ahead of me. Maybe they might start sending people home early for Christmas Eve. Somehow, I doubt that. Even on Christmas Day, I probably doubt that. Lucky me.....Fuck.
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This is a constant struggle and I have no solution or bandage for it.

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Yes, this can happen to me sometimes. It's a symptom of a horrible work culture. We spend so much of our lives doing meaningless work for others that once we get a little bit of free time, we just want to do nothing.

My fix for this is to force myself to do something tangible. What I mean by that is to do something that results in a tangible product at the end to make me feel like I did someting valuable and make me proud.

For example, if I spend a weekend watching movies, napping, or playing video games, I feel like I wasted a whole weekend. Sure, I enjoyed myself during, but afterwards, regret sets in.

However, I have taken up hobbies such as writing. I started a blog that gained some followers. I self published a novel that gained a small readership. I went back to school and got a Master's degree. These are all things that make me feel good when I see the finished product and motivates me to do more.

My wife paints. She makes paintings amd sells them at flea markets and garage sales, or gives them as gifts. She also has learned to refurbish old furniture to decorate our house.

What can you do that gives you a similar sense if accomplishment? Maybe learn to code and create a simple video game. Write and publish reviews of a product you regularly consume. Build something. Anything you can look at with a sense of pride.

Just my two cents.

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Guide posted...

This is a constant struggle and I have no solution or bandage for it.

Same. It's truly unfortunate that free time is so hard to come by, and by the time you get it (if you ever do) you're often too stressed or burnt out to enjoy it. It's a sad life.

It's like they say: When you're a kid you have time and energy but no money. When you're an adult you have money and energy but no time. When you're old/retired you have money and time but no energy.

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