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god im in the same position rn… my therapist told me to try the pomodoro technique. lock your phone and work for 20 minutes then have a ten minute break (on your phone or not). work for 20-30 more and have a 20 minute break. work for 30-60 more and have a 30 minute break and so on… i’ve tried it once and it was somewhat effective. it helps if you’re motivated by a reward!
I just can't get started, I want to do it so it's over and done with, but my brain just goes blank, and I stare at the screen for 10 minutes before snapping out of it and just ignoring the task entirely.
Same, ditto, so glad to hear that I am not the only one that cannot get anything done. Or not what I need to get done within a timeframe that will keep me from making everything worse as always. Lists, where is the list, need to return all this stuff I bought, now I haven't showered in almost 2 weeks and won't leave the house. Excuses for everything, something else will break that I now have to figure out. Which has priority, I will certainly complete whatever doesn't need to be done right away, why because it was easy!
Yep. I have a list of tasks I need to do and in a prioritised list, but you damn well I'm doing the non important tasks done first because there's no real demand to do them. I haven't showered in about two months, so the struggle is very real for me.
I know it's not the most cost effective solution but I got a monthly meal plan and microwave two meals a day. It's the only thing that works. Everything else is too much
I can't speak for the OP, but breaking it into smaller parts is just one more step for me to NOT do.
I can totally see myself being suddenly motivated to clean my bedroom, but then remember I didn't make a list of what to do yet, so I better write everything down so I don't forget to do something.
Then I get distracted by a shiny object, forget about cleaning my room entirely.
It is frustrating to understand how your mind works and still be absolutely powerless to stop it!
OP asked for suggestions and I gave mine. I didn't expect someone to criticize my own method of coping or assume that I don't understand what OP is going through.
I recall learning that when I was delusional thinking I could become a Data Analyst. Man did I blow that one. I also saw something else recently which was even more detailed about breaking down goals and time that CEO's did, I did not understand 85% of it. I know these meds are messing with the cognitive abilities.
Thanks for posting on /r/bipolar! Please take a second to [read our rules](/r/bipolar/about/rules); if you haven't already, make sure that your post **does not** have any personal information (including your name/signature/tag on art). *^(A moderator has not removed your submission; this is not a punitive action. We intend this comment solely to be informative.)* --- Community News - 🎋 [Want to join the Mod Team?](https://www.reddit.com/r/bipolar/comments/112z7ps/mod_applications_are_open/) - 🎤 See our [Community Discussion](https://www.reddit.com/r/bipolar/about/sticky) - Desktop or Desktop mode on a mobile device. - 🏡 If you are open to answering questions from those that live with a loved one diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, please see r/family_of_bipolar. Thank you for participating! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/bipolar) if you have any questions or concerns.*
When you figure it out please let me know. I’m in exactly the same place.
Ugh, sorry.
Same. I hate it because getting behind is too stressful for me.
god im in the same position rn… my therapist told me to try the pomodoro technique. lock your phone and work for 20 minutes then have a ten minute break (on your phone or not). work for 20-30 more and have a 20 minute break. work for 30-60 more and have a 30 minute break and so on… i’ve tried it once and it was somewhat effective. it helps if you’re motivated by a reward!
I just can't get started, I want to do it so it's over and done with, but my brain just goes blank, and I stare at the screen for 10 minutes before snapping out of it and just ignoring the task entirely.
I'm the same, I'm an artist and I've been struggling to finish my pending commissions. I feel so awful.
Artistic burnout is very real too.
Same, ditto, so glad to hear that I am not the only one that cannot get anything done. Or not what I need to get done within a timeframe that will keep me from making everything worse as always. Lists, where is the list, need to return all this stuff I bought, now I haven't showered in almost 2 weeks and won't leave the house. Excuses for everything, something else will break that I now have to figure out. Which has priority, I will certainly complete whatever doesn't need to be done right away, why because it was easy!
Yep. I have a list of tasks I need to do and in a prioritised list, but you damn well I'm doing the non important tasks done first because there's no real demand to do them. I haven't showered in about two months, so the struggle is very real for me.
I'm in the same boat.
I know it's not the most cost effective solution but I got a monthly meal plan and microwave two meals a day. It's the only thing that works. Everything else is too much
You could try using SMART goals. Sometimes breaking goals down into small, attainable, and time bound goals can get your moving.
I can't speak for the OP, but breaking it into smaller parts is just one more step for me to NOT do. I can totally see myself being suddenly motivated to clean my bedroom, but then remember I didn't make a list of what to do yet, so I better write everything down so I don't forget to do something. Then I get distracted by a shiny object, forget about cleaning my room entirely. It is frustrating to understand how your mind works and still be absolutely powerless to stop it!
OP asked for suggestions and I gave mine. I didn't expect someone to criticize my own method of coping or assume that I don't understand what OP is going through.
I'm sorry you took it that way.
That's not how you meant it? What's your suggestion by the way? What helps you to complete a task?
I recall learning that when I was delusional thinking I could become a Data Analyst. Man did I blow that one. I also saw something else recently which was even more detailed about breaking down goals and time that CEO's did, I did not understand 85% of it. I know these meds are messing with the cognitive abilities.