Slow Days

Feeling unmotivated

Knowing there are things to do, but finding it hard to start any of them.

Watercolor of an armchair with a throw over one arm, beside a small table with a glowing lamp and a cup of tea.

Where it sits on the wheel

Unmotivated is in the outer ring, under Tired › Bored.

Open it on the full wheel

A gentle prompt

Write down the tiniest first step of one task. You don’t have to do it yet.

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Something that might help right now

Nothing To Do

A small screen-free idea for when nothing is holding your interest.

Small things some people find helpful

  • Make the first step tiny: open the file, put on your shoes, fill the sink.
  • Set a timer for ten minutes, and let yourself stop when it rings.
  • Choose the one thing that matters most today, and let the rest wait.
  • Start with the easiest task, just to get moving.
  • If you’ve felt low and unmotivated for more than two weeks, it’s worth talking to a doctor. Source: NHS, Low mood, sadness and depression

Feelings near unmotivated

  • Bored (one ring in)

    Unmotivated is knowing what needs doing but finding it hard to start; bored is wanting something to hold your interest.

  • Restless (also under Bored)

    Restless wants to do something, anything; unmotivated has things to do and can’t start them.

  • Listless (also under Bored)

    Listless has little interest in anything; unmotivated is about particular tasks.

About the feelings wheel

Unmotivated is one of the 104 words on the Slow Days feelings wheel, and the list of feelings has them all. The wheel isn’t a test or a diagnosis.