Everything in my life is messed up. Motivation works temporarily and I'm not suicidal but feel it's pointless to live like this. What should I do to feel hopeful?

I feel like taking time to myself and doing something that I enjoy helps a lot. Try and find a moment where you don't have anything going on and sit down and relax. Do something fun and focus on yourself. Read a book, watch a movie, maybe even just sit and stare at the wall. Just do something relaxing and calming that you enjoy. Personally I love reading. For me sitting down with a good book and listening to the sound of rain puts me in a good mood. Listening to calming music can also help a lot. You can always carry around music on your phone that calms you and when you're in a stressful time where you can't sit down and rest, plug in your music. 🍁

What has kept you motivated and positive in the past . What are the good things in your life right now what could you not live without what makes you proud and happy to be alive . What things did you and do you enjoy in life foods activitys even if you can't do them right now. Grab a pen and paper take notes . For today not tomorrow one hour at a time look to completing small tasks around you that make you feel like you have achieved something .. look around now what would make you feel accomplished what have you not done that needs doing .. go do it you will feel so much better .. distract yourself wash the pots tidy a cupboard write that message to an old friend

I think you should go to some group sessions with people similar to you. I'm hopeful that having people who you could relate to, and share stories with, could really help you find some hope. I know that things might be really hard right now, but having people close to you, who care for you, could be very helpful. As you go through these things, really think about your goals and what you need to focus on. Losing focus is okay, it's completely normal, but if you try your hardest, you can always push through and get back on the right track.

I'm finding that making small steps every day/week helps. Positive experiences, like having a nice conversation or solving a small problem, can help you feel more hopeful. An achievable routine everyday can be good, as you'd be achieving small things everyday and feeling more hopeful. If everything is messed up, then you can start with the smallest problems, and then maybe even break up the bigger problems into smaller, more achievable steps. It's nice to have things to look forward to, as well. It's also good to ask for help and support when you feel overwhelmed, so well done for doing that.

Feeling hopeful means living in something that lies in the future. Waiting for something to happen takes away the power from the present moment, from living in the only "time" that exists, the present, where life unfolds. Every part of our lives unfolds in the present, not in the past which has gone and cannot be changed, not in the future that doesn't exist because when things happen, even the ones we hoped for, they manifest in the now, in the present. To bring balance and equanimity in your life, you've got to start not relying on self-motivation which, when isn't based on wisdom comes and goes like a winter storm but to live fully and completely in the present moment. When you wash your hands, when you drive, when you look at a tree or a flower, when you look at life passing in front of you on the road, the life made of busy people, people sitting on a bench eating an ice-cream, when you are utterly immersed in the way life unfolds, when you are completely aware, when your senses are completely awake and make you experience even the tiniest details of life, that's when you feel you resonate with the universe and everything around you and that abides inside of you.

My suggestion would be doing something that made you feel more hopeful. Giving back in the community in some way would be very beneficial for you in my opinion. You can find a cause that you enjoy, and go from there. It's a small step, but I think building from that will go a long way. Helping others (or animals) may help build your motivation greatly. It also helps build confidence. You shouldn't feel like you are pointless, or that your life is. You are worth it, and you are here for a reason. Never give up on yourself!

I completely understand that. Even right now I have only temporary motivation. I'm not suicidal but it does feel pointless to live the way that I do. How do feel hopeful when I get like this? I like to sit down and have a chat with myself. Maybe while looking at myself in the mirror. I cry sometimes or ask myself what i'm doing. I laugh at myself like i'm stupid but it's okay. I see what i'm doing everyday for myself and my future and that's what makes me hopeful. It makes me hopeful that what i'm doing now is going to pay off one day.

When you are motivated, perhaps try and set yourself simple tasks to carry out each day, like a chart maybe with three (or so) achievable goals a day. These could be things like 'Get out of bed' 'Get washed and dressed' 'Prepare and consume a meal' 'Go for a walk'. Use that motivation on those days to ensure you're setting yourself up to stay focused on your tougher days. Perhaps you could reward yourself at the end of the day/week if you do get those things done. This is also a really good way of keeping track of what you have completed too.

Try to do something that used to bring you joy every day. Whether it is colouring or going for a walk. Taking the stress off yourself even for 20 minutes could help, listening to music is something that really helps me, it allows me to disconnect from daily stresses and focus on something else. Taking the pressure off of yourself and listening to your body will hopefully allow you not to burn out and maintain motivation for a bit longer. The pandemic is making motivation hard for everyone, so if you can't manage to be productive be kind to yourself, listen to your body and be kind to yourself.

Try to think of things you are grateful for. This happens to me often - I get motivated for a week and then don't do anything for the next week. When I write down something I am grateful for once a day or once every other day, I remember that I already have a lot of great things in my life, and that I've grown a lot and come a long way. Usually at the top of my gratitude lists are the people in my life that I care about. After that, it is the things I've already accomplished. It's important to be proud of steps you've taken or goals you've achieved!