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This is a vicious cycle.

Metalhead

Metalhead

Video game and movie addict. All for gay pride.
V.I.P Member
I feel depressed, so I don't keep my house clean and I don't go to the gym, but not doing those things is making me feel depressed, so the cycle doesn't end until I take action.

I scrubbed down my kitchen and bathroom yesterday. Today, when I get home, I will tackle the rest of my house.

Now I have to keep my house this sparkly, since maintenance technically should be easier than doing all of this at once.
 
Find something simple that you can do each and every day just to remind yourself that you haven't given up.

For me, as dumb as it sounds, it's simply making my bed. Symbolic that I won't completely give into my depression when it flows. And to keep making my bed even when it ebbs.
 
Judge said:
Find something simple that you can do each and every day just to remind yourself that you haven't given up.

For me, as dumb as it sounds, it's simply making my bed. Symbolic that I won't completely give into my depression when it flows. And to keep making my bed even when it ebbs.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I have been sleeping on my couch to avoid making the bed. Time for me to put an end to that.
 
I have the same condition. I know it as avoidance behavior. Sometimes, when I do what I'm supposed to do, I feel so much better. Avoiding adds to the depression. Depression makes it even harder to do.
 
Do you think aimlessness might help you more? Like not having specific goals and worrying about doing things? I'm typically not interested in goals and have probably failed whenever I've had them. But, I tend to go for a walk most days, with no set plans. It just feels good and I do it when I feel like doing it. Cleaning can be that way too. Maybe less pressure would help you get more done, because it would be done with a different mentality.
 
I agree about doing little things every day. Focusing on the goal of having things perfectly clean can lead to negative emotions when that doesn't happen. If I instead focus on a few things to do each day, things are generally cleaner and I feel better having accomplished something.
 
Metalhead said:
Yeah, I have been sleeping on my couch to avoid making the bed. Time for me to put an end to that.
Click to expand...
How involved is the bed making process?

How can it be simplified?

Is this the 'traditional' top and bottom sheets with blankets and maybe a bed spread?
Does the bed, or any other piece of furniture have to be moved, to make the bed?
 
tree said:
How involved is the bed making process?

How can it be simplified?

Is this the 'traditional' top and bottom sheets with blankets and maybe a bed spread?
Does the bed, or any other piece of furniture have to be moved, to make the bed?
Click to expand...
It can be simplified. It is just three pillows, top sheet, bottom sheet and comforter. Blankets in winter only.
 
Metalhead said:
It can be simplified. It is just three pillows, top sheet, bottom sheet and comforter. Blankets in winter only.
Click to expand...
If you just eliminate the top sheet, then, it can't be any different than the couch, right? I assume you have a blanket and pillow on the couch.
 
I don't make my bed. I feel ok about it. I get more out of efforts spent making sure I have clean dishes and clothes, the bathroom is clean, etc.
 
Establish and stick to the routines is what works for me. And it can be really tough when you don't feel like doing it especially the gym but you know you'll feel better for doing it. It was especially tough for me when I started a new medication which temporarily blocked my endorphin response from exercise for 3 months. It was sheer force of will and sticking to the routine that got me through it. But I know if I hadn't stuck to the routine I would have ended up back in very bad shape mentally, and eventually physically too.
 
You might find this video interesting. It's actually about dealing with addiction but I think in dealing with mental health issues it can be equally apt and encouraging advice. Ted Talk from Tony Hoffman former BMX racer. The Stigma of Addiction
 
The army teaches you to fold it up into an origami-like thing. It is kind of fun, but I find it pointless because I have to wreck it to sleep there later.
 
It is so much easier to reach for a quick fix (that fixes nothing) than it is to put in a little effort to work towards true contentment. Alcohol, marijuana, shopping for movies and video games, watching my collection grow without watching and playing everything I already have first, complaining about how life sucks instead of doing something productive about it.....

My foot has been put down.
 
DrBadStrings said:
Establish and stick to the routines is what works for me. And it can be really tough when you don't feel like doing it especially the gym but you know you'll feel better for doing it. It was especially tough for me when I started a new medication which temporarily blocked my endorphin response from exercise for 3 months. It was sheer force of will and sticking to the routine that got me through it. But I know if I hadn't stuck to the routine I would have ended up back in very bad shape mentally, and eventually physically too.
Click to expand...
This is excellent advice. By chance, I had a perfect routine in life that worked so well for me. Before work, which was M-F 9-5, I would hit the gym. It's not crowded at 6AM and the music was soft and comforting. I kept a gym routine that I would increase/augment each day. I would leave the gym after 45 minutes or so. I had the endorphin kick that made me happy and alert. After a day doing physical labor with a lot of detail attention, I would leave work fulfilled by having done my job well. On the way home, I would buy grocery store items that I might need. The store always had a big sale on canned vegetables that were dented. In the morning, I would set up the crock pot to make my dinner of carefully selected ingredients to make a healthy stew. When I got Home, I would eat and enjoy some down time. My peaceful time alone would prompt me to iron shirts, clean the bathroom, shine shoes, call people, and enjoy something on TV. I went to bed by 9pm and I was rested for the early morning routine. The weekends allowed me to visit my parents about an hour away, help them with yard projects and enjoy their company. I also had time to go out to a club. This was all kept glued together by the routine. I got all the rewards of being attentive to the gym, my job, and my family. I had scheduled free time every day after work and on the weekends. It kept me on track. I strongly believe that the stablished routine was a necessity born by my ASD. I don't have such a routine now. I have to reconstruct one that brings me the same happiness as what I had years ago. I could come up with a thousand excuses for why I don't take action today. The choice is always there.
 
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