Flipping the script on faded interests
Reckoning with feelings of low motivation and weakened interest in work at the start of the year
I’ve been feeling pretty low over xmas. No good reason. I just didn’t enjoy the downtime as much as I had hoped. It could be the switching off from ‘productive’ and ‘creative’ work, or the (mostly) staying in one place. Or the rubbish weather.
Getting back into the groove for the year hasn’t been so bad. Conversations with friends, peers, and coachees yesterday and today has been motivating and interesting for me.
But a recurring theme is already emerging. One I’m framing as fading interests. I’ll probably have a better name by the end of writing this. Or maybe you or an AI could better frame the loose threads of what I’m about to say.
Here are some early characteristics of this fuzzy area. I wonder what resonates with you:
Low motivation
Feeling a bit sad and reflective about work and not really having the motivation to pull yourself up into action.
Work fatigue
Feeling a bit worn down by the work. The weariness from continuous work, diminishing the enthusiasm for ongoing projects.
Shifting interests in work
A decreased interest in current pursuits, influenced by under-explored passions or a sense of stagnation
Neglecting energy sources
Overlooking activities that energise you, often overshadowed by ‘obligatory’ tasks
Questioning value
Doubting the worth of your efforts and how they align with your goals or those of others. Not seeing the value or worth in what you are doing, so wondering if this is a valuable use of time.
Unhealthy procrastination
Avoiding the things you should be doing, and doing something more mindless, and less action-oriented. But rather than it being good and enjoyable downtime, feeling guilty for it.
I think I can relate to many of these throughout the year. And they come up in different forms all the time in my coaching with others.
However, I wonder whether they are heightened feelings, or perceptions through the darker and colder times.
And if they are heightened by weather and seasonality, or just amplified for other reasons, how can this be seen as a gift to you. A hidden blessing.
A gift of heightened malaise
A gift? In what way you may ask?
Well, the accentuation of these feelings may provide clues around feelings and thoughts buried in your subconscious, or even in your body.
You may suppress them at times, consciously or not. Regardless, they can weigh you down. Pulling your energy down. Sapping your productivity. Darkening your mood.
Understanding these emotions can be a stepping stone to transforming them into sources of strength and motivation.
How might you externalise these feelings, and thoughts and reckon with them?
Sensing into them. And then extracting them from you. Putting them out in the world for examination. By your self. Or with someone you trust. Or put away for a day when you feel better and can deal with them.
The act itself may help weaken the power of these feelings. Or it could provide insight into how to tackle them.
Maybe they provide you some clues, or at least a frame for how you can flip the script, and turn weights into power-ups.
What could you do to raise your mood? Heighten your interest? Use these challenges as signals for renewed enthusiasm and growth?
Some initial ideas, I’m going to try, and share with others:
- Switch to a fun, or energising activity. It could give you renewed energy to tackle the obligations (I kinda just did that, by writing tghis, and I feel better)
- Create a Low List, or a collection of notes in a worry diary
- Do a bit of CBT on that Low List or those worries, when you’re in a more positive or freer mindstate
- Go to your Smile File, some positive feedback or appreciation on some of your previous work to re-find some motivation and value
- Add to your list of joys. Or start one. What things make you happy. What could you be doing instead? Think big and small. Then do one small one. And another. Until you feel better.
- Dig deeper with someone you trust. Connect with a coach, a therapist, a peer, a manger, or a friend that has some time to jam on an issue.
If you try any and they work, then let me know. Sharing is caring and all that.
I hope to return to this piece. Or this idea in the future. But for now, know that if you are having some of these feelings and thoughts, you are not alone. I’ve got a hunch that many people are feeling and thinking similar right now.
