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These days I can't find joy in anything. I have no interest or motivation to do things. I just joined a new gym to try to get motivated and be healthy. I know they say diet, exercise, sleep and low stress helps moods disorders but I only went the day I signed up and find myself just sitting right where I am now- on the couch with my laptop and TV on. The only constant thing I find joy in is my animals but I just find myself cuddled up on the couch with them. Does anyone have any suggestions to something interesting to do or fun hobbies? Anything to get me off the couch! Any tips for finding the motivation to get going?

I can't give you any tips, but I'll be watching this thread with interest to see if someone can.

I am in exactly the same boat as you. I just have zero motivation to diet, exercise or well, do anything really. All I do is stay on the internet. I don't even have the concentration to watch tv or read.

I have a dog who looks at me with sad eyes as if to say "Hey, I am not depressed and I really need my walk today"....sometimes I force myself to do things when I really don't want to...but once I do get off my butt and move forward I feel better for doing so.

Motivation comes in many forms...for example, I hate working out and love to eat...my meds caused me to gain more weight. I don't like the way I look or feel, so I have to make some changes. Baby steps work for me: cutting out one bad food thing per week, walk the dog every other day is better than no walking, work with my arm weights while watching mindless TV. Turning off the tv and shutting down the laptop forces helps me to get my chores accomplished...and the blood flowing.

I also read a lot, and am interested in many self help types of topics....other people can inspire me; if they can do it, why can't I?

Since I work from home, very part time, I found myself living in my pj's for most of the day...they didn't exactly help motivate me cause if I had to leave the house I would have to shower and get dressed, and by that time I was too comfy. Now I am going to set three days per week where the first thing I do, after coffee, is take a shower and get fully dressed.

You might check out that site meetup.com where you can search for groups with common interests....there are all kinds of topics. I have attended a few and always had a good time once I got there.

Some of my hobbies: I like to buy and sell antiques on eBay, so I go to second hand stores and antique stores looking for unique items at a discount. I love to read and am an aspiring writer, so I go to free book readings at a local bookstore. I am married so I have a companion to do things with - we go rockhounding (very low cost too, and it gets you out in nature), low impact hikes...beachcombing is one my favorite things to do...love the ocean. Movies...some pictures just have to be seen on the big screen! Support groups like AA, or smokers anonymous (I need to quit) - not really a hobby, but I love to hear all the stories at the meetings - some are like a Lifetime movie!

If you are an animal lover check with the shelters in your area and volunteer for one day/one hour..they always need help: walking the dogs, cleaning cages (not so fun), helping in the office, etc.

It is hard to give advice to someone on how to get motivated. I ask myself: do I want to sit here 10 years from now doing the same damn thing? NO, is my own answer...so I push myself which propels me to do more.

Now I am going to force myself to start raking leaves, not because I want to but because I want my yard to look nice and not be embarrassed if someone comes over...pride and ego can be great motivators too.

Best of luck....let us know how things pan out.

I am so sorry to say that the only things i have heard about motivation are just do it. It's common with depression to feel to tired and disinterested to be motivated. I too have problems with this. Wish I would do more than I am doing. I guess just push yourself a little bit more every week or month or whatever you can do. many people swear that by pushing yourself you will do better and feel better as well.

Not sure how to get you motivated when I can't get there either. The hobbies I had are difficult for me now - they required concentration which I don't have anymore. I used to read all the time, do jigsaw puzzles (the more difficult the better) and I love Sudoku - In the past, I could have whizzed through one. They now take me along time because with my OCD, I keep checking and checking.

My other favorite hobby was riding my bike - I have one of those old-fashioned ones - no shifting involved. I have real balance problems and I'm afraid that I'll fall. Hoping to get back to that next spring as my hubby will be retired and can go with me. I went the same time everyday. It got to where I would ride for over an hour. I would enjoy the flowers in people's yards. Riding along the lake and river fronts was so calming.

Now, the one thing I enjoy doing is photography. It takes me awhile to get motivated to shower and leave. Once in the car, we just wander off and take photos. I'm a real amateur. I don't care if anyone else likes them. If I like them, I don't hit delete.

It's hard to get going but pushing sometimes gets us there.

Marge

For me its the getting going thats the hard part. I could sit in my bed and watch tv all day, but I know there is so much more to life than that. I usually start with a shower. For some reason a nice long shower really helps improve my mood and get me moving. Then maybe if i'm feeling super motivated ill do my hair pretty or make up. Now this whole time i've been faking it and forcing myself. But hey, after an hour it really starts to feel okay. And once i'm dressed and ready for the day, sometimes even though i woke up in a bad place, i feel okay. And having a "buddy" help you out is always good. I have my friends or my mom talk me through getting ready if i have a bad day. They help motivate me to get up and go to class. Even just a nudge from them can get me going.

And it's always good to have hobbies. Humane societies are always looking for voulunteers. I know i've been there to help on days i just needed to get out of my head. It's something to look into.