I won't lie, I'm looking for ideas. I'm currently feeling constantly tired and lacking enthusiasm, and need to find a purpose to get excited about.
Hit me (not literally, it won't help).
it depends about what... Very few things in life get me going.. but the things that do (mostly MTB and DH) are a passion.
The rest of the universe barely even registers with me.
Commuting gets me excited. I don't particularly [i]enjoy[/i] it (but it's a lot better than driving), but I always get a twinge of nerves before I set out, cos of the slight danger involved.
Also do rugby reffing which is always challenging and certainly never boring. Gets me running around, brain active making split-second decisions on all that madness going on around me... Absolutely love it.
Maybe find something that gets you nervous or excited 🙂
Do something hard, that really pushes you physically and emotionally, where you want to give up and quit. Sweat, and grind it out. That usually fixes it for me when I feel flat. When life is too comfortable those feelings of being flat and tired creep in.
Difficult.. but fwiw
Maybe take a step back, slow down - creativity and enthusiasm die in busy or stressful times so it'll come from creating space or changing your environment. Inspiration has to start somewhere.
I've been going out for aimless countryside walks recently, started as a way to stretch out tight hip flexors, turns out it's a great time to think, reflect and let ideas develop. It's a lot easier to note ideas on a phone app while walking Vs riding.
I also think enthusiasm comes from believing something is possible even if it's highly uncertain. Do things that are within your own control or are with people you can rely on mostly.
Another recommendation - do some volunteering. It's good to give some time to a good cause, even just an hour or 2 a week. It can be inspiring or put our own concerns or self-absorbed stuff in perspective.
I'm English, as a nation we don't do visible excitement.
I'm with you. The tired and achy thing socks enthusiasm. I need encouragement to do things I love FFS! Get some chums who are more enthusiastic than you and rely on them?
I’m currently feeling constantly tired and lacking enthusiasm, and need to find a purpose to get excited about.
This was me up until recently, it was a spell of high functioning depression. Amongst the various treatments was eating cherries regularly, apparently a good source of serotonin. Deciding not to give a toss about work and moving to a four day week also helped. That and dealing with a load of life problems 🙂
Is there something in the air?
I've got lots on my mind, maybe you have the same?
I manage to get to the gym most mornings and feel great for a little while after that.
I won’t lie, I’m looking for ideas. I’m currently feeling constantly tired and lacking enthusiasm, and need to find a purpose to get excited about.
I'm in a similar position myself, not depressed but just generally can't be bothered with anything. I keep reminding myself some of my best memories were from having a bit of fitness and cycling with friends (especially on trips abroad), I haven't yet convinced myself to do something about it though. I know setting goals is supposed to be key but over my 50 years of existence I've developed a very strong ability to just give up on any goals I set and take the easy option...
There's a club? I'm not sure I can summon up the enthusiasm required for a club...
Deciding not to give a toss about work and moving to a four day week also helped.
Oh my God that's my dream. I'm currently fixated on it but I don't think it's possible. I don't hate my job but I've got zero personal time outside of work. Having a spare day to do whatever I liked would be life changing.
I'd love to just go out on a Wednesday afternoon and sit in a field or something. Anything to get away from trying to feed a toddler, or bath a toddler, or get a toddler to bed, or stop a toddler from fatally injuring themselves etc etc...
Anything to get away from trying to feed a toddler, or bath a toddler, or get a toddler to bed, or stop a toddler from fatally injuring themselves etc etc…
This is it, family time impacts on energy levels, spare time, finances etc etc--we might love our kids, of course 😉 but what's left to us individually time-wise in between keeping the domestic show on the road--let alone worklife--is often pretty minimal.
I can't help you as I'm looking for the same.
I've basically got the go ahead to try doing 4 longer days with a day off during the week but can't get the enthusiasm to do the longer days.
various treatments was eating cherries regularly, apparently a good source of serotonin.
Pop a few cherries? Can I find the energy for a double entendre? (I can't, but might slip one in.)
I feel very meh about pretty much everything. But thats because i'm neither struggling nor do i feel challenged. I think as humans we need some form of challenge, its good for us. But i can't be bothered finding one.
Bouldering - new enough to me that I'm still finding it fun and challenging whilst also being possible (despite weighing a lot and having weak hands).
Skiing - it's pretty much my happiest week of the year every year, I wish I could do it more, but cost, time blah blah makes it harder.
Eating cake/ice-cream, drinking good coffee are all things I'm enthusiastic about.
As for the rest, meh.
One thing the dog helps with, is I can take her on the same walk seeing the same things day after day, but her levels of excitement in the build up to it never cease to inspire me a little - be more dog!
Depends on my mental health tbh. I think MH is not constant, just like physical health. Sometimes we're a bit knackered, or sick, or have a lingering cold, and physically we feel a bit shte. Sometimes everything is well, and we feel dandy!
I think, well for me, MH is similar. Sometimes my head just doesn't feel great, I'm in a fug and lack enthusiasm. But other times I feel really good, and want to do everything!
Sorry for stating what may be the obvious.
I took up Crown Green Bowls a couple of months ago and for the first time in a long time I'm going home on a Friday looking forward to playing in a match tonight. I'm usually just looking forward to a beer (or several!) and flaking out.
I tried it as a joke to shut the wife up as she kept teasing me about it - and I bloody love it. Competitive, but in a relaxed 'no one really cares' way.
I'm not saying it's for everyone - but try something you wouldn't normally do. You might like it!
Workwise - only 12 more years to go before I can draw that pension. Zero enthusiasm for work.
I'm a pretty upbeat person in real life, mostly because I can vent all of my misserable instincts on here 😉
For me, having a couple of options for activities keeps the interest a bit higher. I haven't been riding much recently (one ride since July..!), but have been bouldering a lot which needs a lot of focus in the moment, and that helps a lot as it's also usually my physical limit too. I will ride more now, but keep pushing the bouldering and maybe get back on some old projects that need ticking.
Get back to racing that road bike in vets races. I've missed it and it has improved my outlook. Mind you, any bike ride that has not left me unable to get out of bed with fatigue has done the same in recent times.
Today? Not so much.
Wow, like others I’m exactly the same!
Anyone want to join me in forming a group to talk about things I should and want to do, but not actually get around to it! Although I actually HAVE done that by seeking some potential ride buddies on here but never got around to doing anything with them!
Seems fair few of us are in the same boat
Are you deficient in B12/iron? Liver for tea is my recommendation...
Anything to get away from trying to feed a toddler, or bath a toddler, or get a toddler to bed, or stop a toddler from fatally injuring themselves etc etc…
This is how I feel about my dog, aren't they supposed to make life nicer, I just don;t seem to be able to do anything without the bloody dog now. Holidays ended up as stress fests, and I'm still paying for them! We need to up our training game.....
I've been feeling this way (no enthusiasm, bored, tired, achy) for a good year or so now. Been waiting for certain things to start up at work but stuff just keeps getting pushed back and I just can't be arsed chasing stuff. Another thing for me was my diet, I've been vegetarian (medical reasons but my choice) for a year and was really missing certain things. I've decided I'm going to be 95% vege now, so every now and then I can have something as a treat.
100 days to christmas starts tomorrow though!!!......
Actually saying all that, I managed to get out for some proper MTB action with my 15yr old son recently who had seemed to have gone off all bike stuff a bit. We ended up at Grenoside, and he absolutely loved it, which in turn gave me loads of enthusiasm to get out with him more. Maybe thats the start of the turn around. Hopefully.
Tonight's newsletter is dedicated to all of you! Thanks for the inspiration!
Maybe see if there are things that you can take out of your schedule, that frees up enthusiasm for the activities you enjoy.
A couple of years ago I stopped commuting by bike, and found I then enjoyed my leisure rides much more. I still commute every now and then, on a nice summer or autumn morning and even that has now become a treat as it is my choice rather than just my routine.
I feel very meh about pretty much everything. But thats because i’m neither struggling nor do i feel challenged
This is some of it. I've not been able to acclimatise to my current employer's cadence which is an issue. I've coming from high paced successful sales to medium paced sales expectation tinged with every other departments reason as to why it can't work. I'm used to having too much work, rather than periods like today whereby I can't find enough to keep me busy.
On top of that, I'm in a window of rest/restart with my bike training, having been on Hols and gained 2kg. I start a hard six week block next Tuesday tinged with consequential weight loss and alcohol reduction none of which fills me with expectant joy currently. Interesting note about Vit D also, I stopped multi vits & Vit D mid August and havent restarted.
Anyway, meh, mumble mumble.
I'm the same, I think the time of year doesn't help. Summer holidays are over, work gets busy with people trying to get stuff done by Christmas or year end. Not to mention it getting darker in the evenings, getting cooler etc. The long, cold, muddy slog that is winter is just around the corner.
<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Skiing – it’s pretty much my happiest week of the year every year, I wish I could do it more, but cost, time blah blah makes it harder. </span>
Do you live near a dry slope? We're in a club and I get 2 hours on the slope, including coaching, for £16.
If it tickles your fancy races are a similar price and there's a category for all levels from beginner to ex National Champ.
Bargain, and keeps the skills sharp all year round to maximise the time on snow.
I'm also doing some weekends ski touring in Scotland this year. I've now got a purpose for winter and am excited about it after similar feelings to OP.
Try a new sport of some kind. I also much about on a surf board. I'm awful, but get better every go, and it's quite invigorating. Checking for swell in the North Sea gives something to do during Zoom calls too.
I did catch myself just sitting staring at the carpet.
Trying to do my best to keep on keeping on but the desire just isn't there.
having been on Hols and gained 2kg.
Mate, it's 2kg. It's not important. You could drop 5 and still not win races. Ride your bike for you, for fun, just because you like it.
Stop sucking the fun out of it with pressure
Its not so much about racing weeksy, its just that I'm very bad at managing bored, inactive and frumpy. If there was a training course in how to enjoy doing **** all I'd be the first to sign up. 😀
I could run that course. Doing nothing is ace
Today I am mostly enthusiastic about exploring the variability in treatment regimens for pancreatic ductal carcinoma between and within different regions and how those compare with regional treatment guidelines and drug approvals.
An exciting day!
Due to restrictions on my daily exercise, finding enthuiasm to ride the same very local roads recently has been very testing at times, despite telling myself that I might finally be able to do a loop to my closest "proper" hills in the coming weeks. Finding it quite hard not to renew my monthly Zwift subs until October, because so often this year it's been short races that have given me motivation to ride, but with the nights drawing in and the winter weather there might only be a couple of months left until I would normally give up on the South Downs lanes until spring.
I could run that course. Doing nothing is ace
I think this thread shows a good business opportunity for you, if you can be bothered lol.
Went for a little walk/shuffle this morning and a benefit of being so darn slow is that my senses are on full alert. More blackberries than you can shake a stick at although slightly past their best, the familiar sound of a red kite doing its thing but sadly too far away for me to see, land features such as a rather glorious boundary marker along with interesting trees, the familiar sound of tractors in the distance. Almost finished and along the track was a partially/non-sighted woman being guided with a lead attached to an elderly chap. My goodness, that made me appreciate my life even more.
I went out with my 16 year old son on Sunday and think I slightly over did it as I still have a sore calf, what it is I have no idea but it's a nuisance as I want to head off on the bike this weekend too...
This year, very enthusiastic about losing weight, eating healthier and getting fitter at both biking and running.
Enthusiasm for work is at an all time low, i'm cruising on the line between doing enough to keep my head above water and slipping behind on everything. Whatever, my mind wasn't made to do this kind of work and when i've really tried to dig in for an extended period it's resulted in weight gain, depression and losing interest in my hobbies.
I think my priorities are right, health before wealth and all that, but i also need to pay for the roof over my head...
Do something hard, that really pushes you physically and emotionally, where you want to give up and quit. Sweat, and grind it out.
Ah ha an excuse for me to mention bicycle trials riding! Trials riding is exactly that, or can be. Definitely a mental game. Just something simple, ride up alongside a kerb, come to a stop momentarily, then lift front wheel and pivot so it lands on kerb, then endo pivot so rear wheel lands on kerb. Then English bunny hop off. Ride off.
Somehow I doubt that fires up the enthusiasm though 🤣
cinnamon_girlFull Member
Went for a little walk/shuffle this morning and a benefit of being so darn slow is
The past year or so Ive discovered (for myself) how to walk slowly, like really slowly. My increased commute distance recently has brought it out more frequently. Legs just fell really tired but I don't want to sit at my desk at breaks so plod down the stairs and walk round the block letting my legs dictate how slowly I walk while taking in the sights of the seaside town I now work in. Because its usually when I have low energy levels I can't say its a joy, maybe after having spent a lifetime rushing around it's just quite liberating.
Viagra.
I think work has sucked out any enthusiasm I had, and I'm definitely winding down (60 next month, gulp).
Theoretically, I could retire but I'm not sure I'd spend my free time productively as my brain is mush
Coffee helps though - 👍
I used to be really enthusiastic about designing furniture, and have my own workshop and still buy tools and machinery, but tbh I cant be ****ed doing anything.
My mojo seems to have gone on holiday somewhere and didn't invite me.
Moderately. Could be worse considering the cluster**** this country consists of.
Don't think you can force enthusiasm any more than you can force yourself to sleep. Go for a ride somewhere nice on your bike. Don't plan a route, take roads, lanes, trails that you've never been down before. Stop to to take in the view, smell the air, stop for a coffee. Get home, read a good book, watch some inspiring cycling films on you tube or listen to a favourite album you haven't listened to in years. Remember you're here for a good time, not a long time and don't sweat the small stuff.
Kryton I really do think you need therapy. Anyway back to your question I can get ridiculously passionate about really techy geeky things at work at the same time as absolutely having had enough. And i can get very passionate about things outside of work, when trail building the berm construction needs to be spot on (I dont even ride much these days), when we had hoodies made everyone else had their name or something humorous printed on the back, mine says quality control. Ive learned to live with being stupidly passionate one minute and completely whats the point next minute. It makes me me, its curse and a strength. I'm lucky I now have a boss who values and tolerates me in equal measures.
Be careful what you wish for.
I was just going to say the same thing. Go see a psychiatrist - even if they tell you you're absolutely normal, there's value in that, and your entire posting history is just a string of dissatisfied complaints.
And get out of sales. You take stuff that's entirely out of your control personally.
Pretty chipper this end. Lots to be grateful for and easily amused.
Plenty of things not going to plan as ever but enjoy my family, job and colleagues most of the time, and look forward to weekends and hols, but also don't dislike Mondays.
As part of my job I mentor some early twenty somethings and their enthusiasm is infectious (in contrast to my teenage boys' premature, Reddit fueled world weariness..)
I try to avoid reading too much news (skim the headlines) and like planning adventures. Some even happen..
Looking forward to a glass of wine or two in a min, a bit of a lie in tomorrow, a movie, some decent food and a ride on Sunday.
Life is too short, I don't work in sales, so yep, enthusiastic here.
Right, corkscrew....
Oh and by the way having spent my career in operations telling sales people they've sold something we don't make or provide it gets a bit boring to always be told you're negative or work in sales prevention, try engaging early in the sales process with the people you're setting up to fail and you might be surprised to find we can be quite innovative and helpful.
Sorry for being blunt, I've had a bottle of wine already tonight so my filters aren't working, you actually come across as a really nice, thoughtful bloke but you're going to worry yourself into an early grave.
Wow that got dark quickly.
Enthusiastic?
Very - when I can be bothered.
I go through phases of being enthusiastic and phases of recovery because when I get enthusiastic about something I put lots of energy in until I run out. I don't worry about it in the recovery periods becuase I know that the next thing to inspire me is just around the corner and ready to jump out and bite me.
I’ve basically got the go ahead to try doing 4 longer days with a day off during the week but can’t get the enthusiasm to do the longer days
+1
So... I've driven 400miles to ride Golfie which I haven't been able to do for 3 years due to a serious accident and then a rather unfortunate illness, its currently pissing down and I'm wishing I was back on Exmoor whether the sun is shining. How ungrateful am I ?? Got to say we've had some smazing days. Underdog is the best.
These kind of posts are hard to answer, aren't they? It's kind of asking how to be 'happy'.
I don't know. Hit us OP, what could raise spark of excitement for you and, crucially, why do you think you can't follow it?
My enthusiasm level is fairly constant, but tends to aimed at one thing at a time, be that work, bikes, fitness etc
Currently work has it.
Thing is Kryten is that you've posted on here about a million times about how worn out you are with training and racing, and for about a million times people on here have suggested stopping and finding something else.
At some point you have to take responsibility for yourself, acknowledge you're not happy and flipping change something! Bike riding was your hobby now it's your prison cell. Get a grip man!
Yes I know I'm being a rude **** but seriously!
There are a ton of brilliant things out there. If you can't motivate yourself towards any then look to yourself and start the process of healing yourself with therapy.
<p style="text-align: left;">Ah hell, I said I wasn't going to get involved any more. Should never have opened this thread.</p>
And now this stupid website won't let me delete my replies. Why do I even log onto STW anymore? I hate it.
It was about work actually.
I struggle to get to sleep the day before a big ride. I feel as excited as a kid at Christmas.
Really it's all the small things give me the most pleasure. Most are based around spending time with people I like, eating and drinking delicious food and drink.
what could raise spark of excitement for you
Posting a slightly tongue in cheek Friday afternoon thread without it turning to a dark place? But maybe I’m expecting too much from STW 😂
Coke and hookers?
... watching England surge to victory in the RWC? 😅
To be fair you must have got a bit of a buzz when they managed to be not totally terrible against Argentina
I need a succession of projects. Last year done the house up, bought a car, and a proper road bike. This year my pain cave is nearly finished and I'm a co-organiser of a ragtag but fun cycling group. And began weightlifting again. I can easily succumb to sofa and TV otherwise.
Something tough to train for (and scare me). Marmotte sportive again next year. Fourth time, first in a while and i am not fast.
i find it will make me go out
Rugby match to referee in a couple of hours. First full match of the season and I’m more nervous/excited than any thing else would make me… job interview, first date, fight outside the school gates 😂 nothing else gets the adrenaline pumping as much!
Not at all until I've had 5 pints usually
But I'll seriousness, nothing much gives me an adrenaline buzz besides riding bikes, in my boy racer days that gave me a buzz.
I have a lot of drive but I put that down to needing goals in order to feel like I'm progressing in life and continually improving, otherwise I get blue. Sometimes I cba but I grind through it, similar situation with work most of the time. I get satisfaction from results really and feeling like I'm making a difference to either my own life or others or the company that I'm working for at the time.
The last time I had some sort of enthusiasm and buzz which wasn't anything physical is when I got into astronomy briefly, went all out and bought a huge dobsonian and on the first clear night we had I managed to see some nebulas and star clusters which I thought was absolutely awesome. But once I'd seen it the first time I didn't get the same level of awe factor from it and it ended up being another hobby I went mad for over 6 months then packed in.
