13 Things To Do When You Don’t Want To Do Anything At All

June 19, 2020 / By Rachel Ritlop

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I don't want to do anything at all today. In fact, I feel like can't do anything and I certainly can't get myself to do anything. I don't want to adult. I don't want to leave my house. I have no desire to do anything.

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I've literally spent all day eating salty and sweet snacks while watching Awkward and wondering thinking, “I can't adult today… WTF am I doing with my life and wondering why can't I do anything?!?”

I have started and stopped writing like six different posts today. Finally, I just decided to say, “f@#* this sh*t” and decided to throw up an archive post. Only, when I started scrolling through the archives to this time last year, it turns out I was going through that exact same feelings.

Why do I never want to do anything this time of year?

Honestly, I'm not positive. I was diagnosed with depression as a teenager. Spent nearly a decade in individual and group therapy and even studied psychology during undergrad and went on to earn my Master's Degree in Counseling. But this doesn't feel quite like when I was depressed.

When I was depressed, I didn't want to do anything or leave my house. I hated seeing people and even struggled to keep up with basic hygiene. I'm happy I went to therapy and got help during that time.

No, this feels more like burnout. Like I'm bored, but I don't want to do anything because I feel uninspired by life.

How to make yourself do something, even when you don't want to? (updated)

I know sometimes we have responsibilities we just can't avoid. I've found a few things that work for me: put some pressure on myself to get them done first. I'd suggest getting an accountability buddy, setting up a rewards system (when you do this, you'll get the reward).

The next part of how I force myself to do something is to do a deep dive into “why?” As in, why don't I want to do it? Is it something I really need to do or I'm being told I need to do? I learned about Human Design and it completely changed my life. I realized that so many of the things I didn't want to do, or the times I felt like this, were due to the fact that I was living outside of my design. You can listen to my podcast episode on this here.

Here are 13 things to do when you don't want to do anything at all:

These things are part sarcastic to make you laugh, part my internal dialogue, and partly to help you realize just how much you're doing and learning to celebrate that season.

1. Question your entire existence on the planet.

… because I'm in my twenties and WTF else am I going to do in the middle of the day on a Tuesday?

2. Pace the room like a maniac during said questioning.

…maybe this counts as exercise?

3. Eat.

…Do the calories not count if I eat them while pacing?

4. Stare at the ceiling

…this was way more entertaining when I was high in high school and had a popcorn ceiling.

5. Nap

6. Binge watch TV or movies

… now that my eyes are rested from that nap, watch these movies for your quarter life crisis

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7. Ask yourself what would bring you joy in this moment

Okay, this one isn't sarcastic and it's actually super serious. Is there anything that seems enticing? If you can't think of anything, what is something that you used to enjoy? If you feel stuck, ask family or friends.

8. Look at chores and your to-do list

Maybe you'll get some motivation to get one of them done!

HAHAHA “Quit playin' yo' self!” – DJ Khaled

Yeah, I'm just going to appreciate this mess and let it beeeee, because I can't adult today and IDGAF

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9. Contemplate what it feels like to be an actual adult.

… because honestly, I don't believe anyone ever feels like an adult. Like we are all just winging it right? RIGHT?!?! And I say this even after I've had a baby!

10. Think about working out

…Then decide not to, obvi.

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11. Think about going to the beach/pool

…but then think about skin cancer and wrinkles and all that fun stuff that comes with being outside midday for too long and decide doing nothing is still your best option.

12. Give yourself permission to do nothing.

I could tell you to “take a shower” or “choose one small thing to get done” or “brush your teeth” – but when I can't get myself to do anything, sometimes I just need to honor that. When you have no desire to do anything and you have the freedom to actually not do anything, why not just enjoy it?

Jokes aside, I've found that when I give myself permission to do nothing for a few days, I end up bouncing back that much quicker and stronger.

13. Talk to a therapist, counselor, contact a helpline

I started going to therapy at 17 years old and spent nearly a decade in individual and/or group therapy. During undergrad I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology and I went on to earn my Master's Degree in Counseling. I even worked as a mental health and substance abuse counselor for a couple of years!

So I need to stress: if you are asking yourself, “why don't I care about anything anymore?” are struggling with not wanting to leave the house ever, and truly feel like you dont ever want to do anything anymore, it may time to seek help.

Here are some resources for help:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Hotline (SAMHSA) – 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727)

National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI) – 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org

And then there is always 911.

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