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I should preface this by saying I've, generally, in adulthood, have been between survival mode (productive, but most unpleasant) or gonzo mode (also productive, but silly, and sometimes unhealthy, even self-destructive); neither could be described as "unmotivated". But I get struggle, so maybe this would help:
- Make it an essential to have your health in peek condition, as best as you can, with what you got, where you are. Diet, exercise, mental health, social health, sexual health, etc., just focus on it. It isn't going to happen overnight. Or in a week. Or a month. But make progress everyday. It may seem "meh" now, but in a while you'll be amazed by the results.
- Some medications and drugs directly cause lack of motivation and energy levels. If you are on anything, it is time to review what the side effects can be. (For example; I had a pretty bad injury happen late last year. I was prescribed pain meds, a muscle relaxant, and an antibiotic. One of those, over time, caused some nasty side effects, so I booted it. Medications can do amazing curative things, but they aren't without side effects.)
- I have to agree with the others: this sounds like depression. Now that condition is a slippery little bugger and can manifest in all sorts of odd ways, but lack of motivation is a major feature in many cases.
- As best as you can, positively drop kick anyone out of your life who is toxic. Now, I know that is much easier said than done, but it can be done, at least to some extent. Mitigating the impact of idiots, ugly souls, and the rest of the walking problems, is conducive to mental health.
- On the flip side, cultivate, nurture, and love those relationships that make you blossom. Spouse, children, friends, colleagues, etc., they can all help in your journey. And doing best for your wee ones is the best way to keep this wacky adventure continuing into the future.
- The Buddha once said "To insist on a spiritual practice that served you in the past is to carry the raft on your back after you have crossed the river." While I take little stock in "spiritual practice", the point remains that life is ever changing; something that gave you great joy for years or decades may not now. Or it may not now, but can come back later. One solution? Try something totally, absolutely new and see what it does for you. Oh, odds are it will be crap, but rinse and repeat and you'll find something new and awesome.
- Take a good, hard look at where your career is. Is it working? Do you need more challenge, long hours, the delight of punching things out and pulling in the big bucks? Or is it time to down shift, hard, and find a more balanced life and no longer stress it? Neither is right or wrong; it is what will fit your life now. (I, literally, just got back from an interview for a new position, so this is on the mind.)
- Get outside. We live in one of the most beautiful regions in the world, and I would stack it up against any other spot on the planet for natural beauty. Restores the mind, gives exercise to the body.
- Declutter your space. Keep it clean, functional, organized, and a benefit, not a drag. If something is no longer being used, get rid of it. If something isn't working, replace it. If someone else can get some use, have joy in giving it away. And, though I never got the appeal, it was alluded to in the original post; consumerism is an absolute waste of time, money, and energy. It is beyond pointless and I'm not surprised that treadmill could make someone unhappy.
- Make rest, reflection, and even mediation a thing. (I have to admit, I positively suck at this, but there is a there there.)
- Simply stop taking it all seriously. Absolute best case, most of us have, what, 65—80 years on this little blue marble? Many folks, far less. Love deeply and honestly, do your duty to the utmost in whatever your station is in life, have as much fun you can pack in, because at the end of the day, none of us make it out alive.
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