Weekly Prompt #16: How do you maintain focus on tasks when depression makes it difficult to stay engaged?
Hello everyone, I hope you are all being easy on yourself this week.
Last week we discussed: Are there any small goals you can set for yourself? Thank you to all who participated and shared their thoughts for discussion. I enjoyed them. I hope you all did too. If you didn't share yours, please share them here and I look forward to reading and discussing them with you.
This week's prompt: How do you maintain focus on tasks when depression makes it difficult to stay engaged?
I wanted to start a discussion on how depression affects our productivity levels and if there are any strategies or tips that help to stay on track. I look forward to hearing and discussing with you all!
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Overcoming depression by setting goals
I count my small wins and focus on that. For example, I got up maybe I didn’t get dressed, but I made my family a healthy breakfast or found a new education podcast that my daughter’s enjoying. Things like that.
@akay06 Thank you for sharing Akay <3 That's a thoughtful way to find moments of joy even when things feel difficult. Focusing on small wins with your family sounds like it brings you and your loved ones closer during challenging times. What kinds of education podcasts has your daughter enjoyed learning from?
She really like Tumble and Bedtime History.
I don't, it's hard to focus on anything and I forget a 1000 things through the day. Everything takes me 10 times longer than usual. I just "exist" and hope to make it through to another day.
I'm trying to get the simplest things done like getting up, taking care of the kids..
@mish3l It sounds like you're experiencing a difficult time right now with feeling overwhelmed and forgetting things. Focusing on daily tasks must take a lot of energy. You're doing your best to take care of your kids - that shows your strength and caring nature during hard moments. What helps you cope with the challenges you face each day?
Hi Observer!
Actually today is one of the better days, but what I wrote above is usually how it goes. I don't really know what helps, just accepting it and waiting till it's gone. I was afraid before when the waves came but I'm not anymore. I don't know what changed. I'm trying to tell myself it's gonna pass and it's going to be okay.
Lately I don't maintain focus. Id rather sleep or binge watch something. It's not healthy behavior. I tried getting put on medicine but that isn't working for me and my doctor won't listen that this medicine does not work.
They usually make you try medication for a good month or so because it takes so long to rewrite brain chemistry. But if you are beyond that 4-6 week mark, then find another doctor. It can take a while to find the right combination. @brightTree5008
@brightTree5008 I hear you and can relate with you, Bright. It sounds like you've been feeling unmotivated and having trouble focusing lately. Those behaviors can feel unhealthy when they start interfering with our daily lives and responsibilities. Have you noticed what tends to trigger those feelings or make them worse?
@ASilentObserver If the work is absolutely necessary for me to do then I'll put on some music or get on a call with my friends and just manage to complete it
If it is not important or due I just choose to sleep cuz sometimes I feel like taking rest is the best way you could have used time instead of forcing myself to focus on something and decreasing the quality of the result and I also sleep cuz I will be extremely drained and would be on the verge of giving up
Sleep is always a great option. @enthusiasticBeach8170
@ASilentObserver this week I've been having a hard time. Anxiety and depression is really taking its toll. I can't do much with my disabilities, but art is what keeps me going everyday. I love art. But I can't concentrate I just can't be bothered. Depression is very hard
It is very hard. What kinds of art do you normally like to do? @Tinywhisper11
@bestVase7265 I draw and make all sorts of things like theese 😁❤
Those are really nice. What a wonderful use of color.
Sending strength and peace. You will find your way back slowly but surely. Sometimes you have to try different things for a while before the older forms of art click again. @Tinywhisper11
@bestVase7265 😁❤❤❤
How were things for you today?@Tinywhisper11
@Tinywhisper11 I understand this week has been difficult and the anxiety and depression have been really challenging. It sounds like art is so important to you as an outlet and way to feel engaged. Not being able to concentrate on it must feel discouraging. Please know you aren't alone in struggling with depression - we are all here with you.
@ASilentObserver ❤❤
With work, because I'm not a permanent staff, I don't get to request for a stress leave. So, when it comes to work, I don't have much choice but to bulldoze my way through the shift. I would just keep quiet and not start any unnecessary conversations (small talks) with anyone. I have one colleague who talks a lot, especially when take our breaks together. If I was feeling depressed that day, I would request for her to not talk to me during the break.
If I don't have work, but have other tasks to do at home, I will try and focus on what initially motivated me to do that task. If that fails, I'll end up procrastinating or stay in bed or just watch dramas or listen to music.
@Jaeteuk It sounds like work can be challenging without the option for stress leave. Focusing inward and setting boundaries with talkative colleagues are ways you've found to get through shifts. You seem aware of what helps motivate you, and also what steps to take if that fails. How have you been handling self-care outside of work when facing tasks or feeling down?
Self-care outside of work when feeling down, I tend to isolate myself from my family (parents and brother). I don't have the energy to interact with them. So it's better that I keep to myself to recharge. I'd also sometimes reward myself with a yummy treat or fulfill a craving. I also tend to share and vent my feelings here in 7Cups.
@ASilentObserver
Although i think i am focused i am not. I make regular errors at work that take longer to fix then it does to make the error.
I am significantly less efficient then I was or less efficient then I thought I was. I don't know which.
@Gettingbettertoday I hear you, gettingbetter. It sounds like you've been feeling less focused at work than you'd like. That can be frustrating to notice errors that take more time to fix than create. You must care deeply about your work to notice the difference and want to improve. What kinds of thoughts or feelings come up for you when that happens?
@ASilentObserver
I feel diminished. I have always had pride in being the best at what I do. This is obviously not the case anymore. My work has always been a large part of my identity. I feel like I am lesser of a person.
@Gettingbettertoday that make sense, bettertoday. Your work has been a big source of pride and identity for you. Losing that sense of being the best must feel very difficult. You mentioned feeling like less of a person - is there anything else you've discovered about yourself through this experience? Know that you have so much more to offer the world beyond any single role.
I'm actually struggling with this right this moment. I've tried to recollect what gave me joy or a level of concentration in the past (e.g. reading certain books, going to certain places, talking to certain people), and tried to rotate those activities, decreasing expectation for myself to be able to focus for a shorter amount of time but still engaging in SOMETHING. I've also sought professional help as depression got worse, and therapy's given me some fresh perspectives on things I hadn't quite connected to why I'm having depression this time. Working through grief by looking at 7 cups resources and other online/offline resources to understand my current predicament better :)
@MoonViber Thank you for sharing about your experiences with depression and seeking help through therapy and other steps. It sounds like you are taking important steps to understand what may be contributing to how you've been feeling and trying different coping strategies. What kinds of fresh perspectives have therapy provided that have been most helpful for you? You're not alone in this struggle, and I'm glad you're taking care of yourself. We are all here with you to listen to and to support.
How do you maintain focus on tasks when depression makes it difficult to stay engaged?
I don't maintain focus very well. My mind wanders.
@WharfRat I hear you Wharf. It's understandable to feel that way at times. Having a wandering mind can feel frustrating. What's on your mind when it wanders? We are all here to listen to and to support.
@ASilentObserver
I have this daydream that I go through all the time. It centers around a future high school reunion in which I'm able to impress the woman I love through some means so she'll take notice of me and at least like me. I've daydreamed away my life, it seems like. I've had daydreams of impressing girls since I was six years old, at least. Of course, the daydreams are unrealistic and nothing even close to them ever happens.