How to get motivated and get a hobby?

[DexysMidnightRuner]

So a problem ive had my whole life, is finding a hobby, and having the energy to actually get up and do said hobby. i think one of the main reasons i turned to drugs is because i have depression and when i took speed i got lots of things done, i was an interesting person, and happy.

well as we all know that goes away. ive had my bout with lots of other drugs and am currently trying to avoid the bad ones and stick to the good. however, i feel like i have no energy and i cant even get myself to do yoga. true im doing less drugs but my depression i feel has gotten worse. and i find myself wishing i could go back to doing lots of drugs because i keep thinking "why be sober when im not happy either way." because right now im starting to think doing drugs will "fix my problems" again, even though i know they dont.

so my question is how do you motivate yourself to do things you want to try? how do you get your ass off the couch and get yourselves involved because once you start doing things its easier..but how to actually start?

 

[Dave]

It's a matter of developing new habits, and it takes time. Start small, for example: you want to learn an instrument, so you borrow or rent a student model and set aside 5 minutes every day to practise. There's no way that you can't manage 5 minutes, and while you won't get much done in that time, it will set up the habit of playing a bit every day which will make it far easier to practise more down the road. The important thing is to not break the chain; you can practise for more than the 5 minutes if you are able to, but no less. As you progress, bump the minimum time up by 5 minute increments. Say, once every couple of weeks.

The same principle can be used for learning to draw or a new language, writing, making another form of art (personally, I like to carve) or even exercise if you're coming from zero. As you improve, the motivation will come more naturally. Also, I'd say that it's a good idea to stick with something for a little while, to give a good enough chance to see if you actually enjoy it or not. If it feels like work most of the time, then it might not be your cup of tea; but if if involves work, but you enjoy doing it (i.e. it doesn't feel like work) then you've found something worth sticking with.

As with most everything though, the hardest part is starting. An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion. Hence why it's important not to break the chain. It won't be a light switch of motivation like what you would get with speed, but it will come in time.

 

[KamMoye]

I tried to make a post to answer your question, but the truth is Dave said everything I would say in a more constructive manner. I'll try to add in two cents, however:

Happiness is more like a feeling of contentment than elation. It takes work to manage. The key is not to think. Just do. If you think, you will rationalize, and if you let yourself rationalize, you will do what you've always done, or what you've done for the longest.

Here are some articles that helped, and help, me out:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201101/why-we-quit

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199601/stress-its-worse-you-think

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200304/how-remain-calm-during-uneasy-times

http://www.psychologytoday.com/node/51952/view/42128

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog...et-unless-you-know-these-3-facts-about-willpo

Don't be hard on yourself. Just be flexible and think positive! (Contradictions -- get used to 'em! The circle of life!)

Good luck!

 

[ColtDan]

bad cycle to be in, im in a kinda similar thing. sometimes it feels like there is no hope

 

[AfterGlow]

motivation typically manifests itself in 2 ways.

1. you desire something so much that you become willing to do whatever it takes to realize achieving it... or

2. you fear the consequences of something so much that you become willing to do whatever it takes to avoid those consequences

 

[Legerity]

That's great advice Dave. That's one of the things that I've found most effective. I'm so hesitant to start something new out of fear of not being good or ending up wasting time/money and not liking it. But if I start with an action that is so easy it is impossible for me not to to be able to do it, then momentum builds. Especially if I don't allow myself to make any other changes for a while, so the desire increases and so after a week or so I'm so determined to make the next change that it becomes easy too.

Kudos on getting off the speed. Be patient with yourself...even though you feel down at the moment you now have the opportunity to build your life in a way that is satisfying to you.

 

[aanallein]

Gonna sound cliche but start going to the gym for an hour to two hours 5 days a week and after a year you'll look back and feel like an entirely new person. I have a good friend who I told this for years - well he finally got on board and he can't believe how right I was.

Goodluck.

 

[halfoz]

don't get too caught up trying to select the best hobby for you. pick whatever pops into your head and then apply the principles Dave discusses above: the reward is in the journey, not the destination. So as long as you're taking steps in any direction you're succeeding.

you've got to really let yourself off the hook and give yourself complete freedom. any action is success. even the inquiry is success. starting something new that's unfamiliar can feel a little overwhelming if you look too far ahead. so don't. just take baby steps.

for me, NOT having a specific intention or goal is the key to success. if i start thinking too far about the future, my dysfunctional perspective automatically tends to imagine failure. i have to keep my focus on what's immediately in front of me and not worry about meeting goals that i really am not qualified to set.

good luck! scientific studies of "happiness" suggest that having a meaningful hobby is a substantial contributing factor to achieving lasting happiness. you're already on the right path

 

[KamMoye]

here's another perspective:

http://zenhabits.net/begin/#more-7774

 

[Legerity]

^Zen habits is great

 

[DoUbLeYoU]

I think the lack of constructive activity is helping you feel bad about yourself. Just the feeling of being a part of something worth while can lead to increased self esteem. I agree with what others have said before me, and would also suggest possible eating things that increase your energy, as well as ample sleep, so you have the energy to actually do whatever your planning.

You could try just getting some sun outside, maybe a walk or something just to get the endorphins flowing. I had the same problem a while ago and I found slowly forcing myself to do more and more each day led to a sense of well being, increased energy and motivation for what i was doing

 

[effingcustie]

You could try just getting some sun outside, maybe a walk or something just to get the endorphins flowing. I had the same problem a while ago and I found slowly forcing myself to do more and more each day led to a sense of well being, increased energy and motivation for what i was doing

Good advise. I am kind of in a similar situation where I am trying to get motivated to work on lots of different hobbies/projects and lately I've found taking a walk outside first thing in the morning really helps. It gets the energy flowing, gives you a little time to think, and getting sunlight in the morning helps you to get on a regular sleep schedule which also helps a lot.


Another thing I've done is made a list of the hobbies I'd like to be spending more time on (for me this is something like DJing/producing music, gardening, working out, working on artwork, reading) and taped it on the wall next to my computer as a reminder. Whenever I find myself dicking around on the internet for too long I pick something on the list and do it. Speaking of which I should probably go do something productive