It’s become apparent that the problem I face on any given day goes hand in hand with one of depression’s biggest struggles. The feeling of nothingness. It’s not so bad that I never feel, I’ve found ways to still enjoy life, thankfully but every so often a feeling of total loss will overwhelm me and I find myself trying to break out of this stupid state. It leaves a person feeling stuck and unsure how to do the simplest of things, like get dressed.
So if getting dressed is a big deal, which I’ll clear up is not really any issue for me this time around, just an example; then how the heck is someone meant to find the motivation to exercise? Deciding to put clean clothes on is a complicated decision! How do you convince yourself to turn on a DVD, go outside for a walk or get to the gym?
One of the first things I’ve done for this journey, to make things extremely clear for my cluttered mind, is simplify.
I have taken out all deadlines, I have one painting to send off and a bunch to collect from a gallery – this will take all of one hour – but other than that there is nothing else on my plate. I will be focusing all my attention on making sure I get the food and exercise I need. I’ve decided to indulged myself by allowing mundane things like housework to take as long as I want them to. No pressure. Without the expectations I place on myself to do it, I find myself unconsciously keeping up with everything again. My mind has stopped over thinking and getting overwhelmed before anything’s even had a chance to happen.
I created a schedule for myself. It helps to stop my mind from wandering and it let’s me know, clear as day what’s meant to happen at what time. I even added in mine and my kids favourite show’s. We still need downtime. It sounds ridiculous but when you’re in a state of exhaustion you really can’t figure out when you’re meant to eat, sleep, relax…anything really.
The hardest thing for me on the schedule is waking up at 8. Lame huh? 8am is so late compared with the wakeup’s for most people I know! As far back as I can remember though, this has always been a problem for me. Of course there have been times in my life where I’ve been up at 5:30 daily and survived just fine but I still hate mornings. Probably because I love night time and would rather live vampire hours.
So to get my butt up I have gone back to using an alarm. I’ve set my ringtone to something that you just can’t sleep through. It’s actually a song that sounds like someone’s about to kill you and starts off with “Get the f*ck up!” but hey, whatever works right? I’m thinking I’ll be setting another alarm about 5 minutes earlier so I stop hitting snooze. Two alarms seems to be what I need!
I could have added in enough things on the schedule so that every 15 minute interval was taken up but that’s not the point in this schedule. The point of this one is to just cover the basics. Fit in time to eat and time to work out. I’ve given myself 3 opportunities a day to fit in exercise. If I don’t to at least one of them, I’m stuffing up big time. There’s enough time in between many things to fit in something extra if I wish or to just be with my kids, which is where most of my time goes. It’s uncomplicated and easy to see how to create a regular routine out of it.
So the challenge for the day, create your own schedule with time to exercise and eat included. I’m doing 5-6 small meals throughout the day.
Before I sign off for the day I have to say thank you. Yesterday was amazing. You have no idea how scared I was to post that post but the outreach of support and people who were able to relate has been incredible. The many emails, tweets, messages and comments I received touched my heart. Let’s do this 
Enjoy this post? I’m offering an easy way for you to get tips on Creating Your OWN Amazing Reality. You can also sign up to receive posts like this via RSS and Email.
Don't forget to share this place with your friends by retweeting this.
I love reading what you have to say so please feel free to leave a comment. They make my day.
Related posts:
- 21 Days of Accountability – Day 6 Today the only thing on my mind is sleep. So...
- 21 Days of Accountability – Day 16 Is it strange that I’m feeling a little sentimental that...
- 21 Days of Accountability – Day 19 If you’re not sweating anywhere, you’re not getting anywhere. Not...
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Love #1 on your schedule, lol. That’s exactly what I should say to myself every morning. I’m sooo not a morning person. I’m usually awake before the kids are, but that doesn’t mean I want to get up and out of bed. But I drag my sorry arse out of bed eventually. God help it if anyone screams, throws a tantrum or irritates me before I’ve had my morning cuppa. Love the schedule idea, might sit down tonight and do one for myself.
Totally get the exercise thing too, hard hard hard. I am not a naturally fit/slim person myself and its hard to keep fitness on the priority list now that kids are here. My husband said to me one day ” what would it take for you to ring and organise that massage (bad back)” I gave a long list of tasks to be acheived….and he asked again quietly “what would it take….” again I gave the task list, he asked again “what would it take” finally….( I can be quite dense) I got it and I replied in a rather small voice ” I would need to make my wealfare a priority” …. had the massage, but still fight each day to make myself a priority for at least a small part of it.
well done and I will def pop back in….
ps, ditto on the blog idol 2 memories to work thru
Oh Lisa, you just described my mornings! LOL. No wonder we get along so well haha.
It sounds like you have a wonderful husband Penny. One who’s very aware of just how much effort you put into everything. I’m glad he helped you see the light
It is so hard to put yourself first when everywhere you turn something new is calling your name.
Also glad to know I’m not along in the Blog Idol 2 thing. Did not expect to feel so completely crap in the months following when I wasn’t at all fussed when I got the news. It was the personal attacks that were the worst.
Hi buddy, your blog’s design is simple and clean and i like it. Your blog posts are superb. Please keep them coming!!!
Thanks Devon
hey, I like your post, will be referring a lot of friends about this. Keep blogging. Looking forward to reading your next post.
I like it! I like it lots.
Your blog is so great! Im so pleased I took the time to look at this. Very inspiring.
Hi, sorry for requesting this query here, but I couldn’t find a contact form or something so I assumed I could I leave my enquiry here. I run a blogengine blog but I am getting increased amounts of spam. I see u use wordpress, is it unproblematic to regulate spam with wordpress or doesn’t it make any difference? I hope you will respond to my comment or maybe send me an email with your answer if you don’t want to approve the comment. Best regards, Annie
Hi, I apologize fo requesting this query here, but I couldn’t find a contact form or something so I thought I leave my inquiry here. I run a blogengine blog but I am receiving bigger amounts of spam. I see u use wordpress, is it straightforward to regulate spam with wordpress or doesn’t it make any difference? I hope you will respond to my comment or maybe send me an email with your answer if you don’t want to approve the comment. Best regards
yay google is my queen assisted me to find this great website ! .
I believe other website proprietors should take this internet site as an model, very clean and fantastic user genial style and design .
I real pleased to find this internet site on bing, just what I was looking for : D as well bookmarked .
Outstanding post, you have pointed out some superb points , I also believe this s a very superb website.
{ 1 trackback }