How do I find the motivation to leave the house?
23 Answers
Last Updated: 01/23/2021 at 7:26pm
Moderated by
Hope Hadding, MSW, LCSW
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
I am a professional therapist with extensive experience working with various mental health disorders as well as sexual issues. I am supportive and non-judgmental.
Top Rated Answers
When I'm not in the mood for leaving the house or even when I feel anxious what help me the most is preparing myself, focus on my hair, my clothes and maybe make up. It might sound silly but that time helps me for preparing my mind to go outside.
As corny as this is going to sound, and maybe even a bit plagiarized, in the famous words of the Nike slogan: "Just do it!" Just get up and do it. Just go out. It's like waking up in the morning. We all hate it and the longer we linger the more we want to stay in bed, but the sooner we get up the sooner we forget about how nice the bed is and start focusing on things we really want to do and things that matter to us. It is just that initial step of beginning or getting up or leaving the house that you need to take to get you going. What motivation do you need for this: Life is about the time we are given and how we use it. Do you really want to be 85 sitting in the same place thinking, why didn't i just get up and do something? Don't regret thing the things you can change.
Proceed step by step, don't plan to go for a trip, just give you time, go out for groceries, to share a drink, to have a small walk, ... Just don't pressure yourself with long trips, take it slowly, everybody needs time.
by feeding the stray dogs or cats on your way! when you need to leave your house, prepare some food for our animal buddies and feed them. you would feel SO GOOD if you pet them a little bit too. giving love to an innocent animal and receiving love from it really eases you mind :)
When I can't seem to find motivation to leave the house, which happened a lot while I was suffering with depression, PTSD, and the thought of seeing my attacker in public, I would always think to myself, "Why am I holding back who I can be because I don't want to face difficulty?". Everyone faces challenges in life, and we all have to find a way to get back on our feet. It's mostly when leaving for school that I feel like I can't leave the safety of my own home. But simply forcing myself to go on with my day seems to help.
Anonymous
December 2nd, 2017 10:07am
Sometimes nothing feels better than staying at home all day and not having to go out. Right? But you know you will regret spending the whole of your weekend stuck in one room. Trust me. Don’t focus on the ‘going out’ because that will make you more stressed. I like to focus on other things like what I want to wear or that one person I look up to and what they would do. Give yourself a lot of time before you have to go out so you can plan the day and then feel more relaxed because you’re prepared before it. Or plan an outfit that you really like or that one milkshake place you want to try, memories are sacred and the more you make, the happier and healthier you will be. So go on get out your house, take it in small steps, even if it means to the corner shop down the road.
Anonymous
January 11th, 2016 10:19pm
Make yourself look good! Have a shower, maybe shave, get into some good clothes so you know: I am beautiful. I am awesome. Öet's show the world.
I feel like getting ready really makes me feel better in general-- fake it til you make it! Don't plan a huge outing, but start with just something small to ease your way out. You may enjoy it more than you expect!
Do you experience any form of anxiety about the outside world? Do you usually see the outside as a strange place and dangerous? It could be due to these factors that you are unwilling to leave the house, since staying home feels more secure and you do not need to face other people or the challenges and noises of the outside world. It usually helps to have a close friend, so the things you do on the outside will feel more familiar to you and you get used to them. Eg, if you have to travel far or do something new, be sure to bring someone with you or at least get moral support. Even if you think it´s not neccessary. Try to give yourself this support, if needed. Try to make yourself feel secure when going outside.
Think of how much happier you may be after leaving what's causing you pain. If there is something making you contemplate leaving then surely doing it will make your life a lot better.
Go on facebook and look at all the fun everyone's having . . . without you. Stop missing out on life go out to a pool bar and talk to people, reconnect with an old friend, join a club or something. Maybe try to find a new job.
Life is short and only gets shorter as it goes by faster. Use it before you lose it
Anonymous
August 22nd, 2016 1:33am
Pokemon Go has honestly helped me to get out of the house, it's allowed me to have fun by using the real world to get characters
Call friends or family! Look at the beautiful weather! Do an old activity you used to love! Get out of bed stretch drink a glass of water and get out there!
Find something you're really passionate about that makes you leave the house, and focus on that. Try and make it something that you can stand to miss a couple times, because it will still be hard to leave the house, but make it something you won't want to miss.
Anonymous
January 20th, 2015 8:27am
try new things and follow what you love
and just try to have fun with life and you'll always find motivation to do anything
if you only focus on the negatives of life you'll find yourself with very little motivation
but stay focused on the positive and you'll find yourself a much happier person
I feel that you can work towards an objective, something you want to do each day! Believe that ach passing day will be a positive one.
Anonymous
January 5th, 2016 1:28am
Think of all the small happy things out there. The greatest things happen in the outside world. So instead of being all curled home leave the house and get fresh air, find a lucky penny, and meet new people that could end up being your closest friend or even the person you'll spend your life happy.
You will get something out of the day, meet new people and you can change your life to the better!!
Anonymous
January 15th, 2020 10:22pm
It like fighting an invisible force, you want to get the point where going out felt like it did prior to not wanting to go out. I was told to fake it until I made it and that is what I am trying to do, that is my approach, it is not real yet but I am faking it until I make it. I have been in a new town for 2yrs plus and I only go to the grocery store, it makes me sad when I think about it and even though I feel sad, i can not just brush it off and be like, okay let's go
Anonymous
November 3rd, 2015 3:29pm
find some attraction like dancing class or maybe amazing friends or skating classes
Anonymous
July 2nd, 2018 1:54pm
Imagine the opportunities waiting outside. Reward yourself for leaving the house. Create a realistic goal for leaving the house for a certain period of time.
Imagine that you're on a date with your crush and she/he asks you "so do still live with your parents ? or you live by your own?"
Anonymous
January 23rd, 2021 7:26pm
Sometimes I feel that way, too...
I have to find an excuse to get out the door, like getting the mail one day and getting groceries the next day.
If it is rainy outside, I want to get an umbrella and watch the rain around me. I heard that you can smell the rain. I want to know what rain smells like.
I'm not an extrovert, but sometimes I go walking with a friend. With this pandemic, I wear my mask of course, but it's still great to be able to walk with my friend.
Sometimes it is hard to put down my phone, so one day, I took my phone and took pictures of interesting things I found outside.
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