Sometimes it is as easy as Just Do It.

Other times it's not. I think it depends entirely on if you are episodic or not.

When I feel flat and in the dumps , I do one of two things

I sleep it off
Or I do something , shopping for groceries , go to pharmacy, anything to get me moving

Good luck , I hope your motivation level goes up...and hey....I think it's great that you work for AmTrack !

Yup. It's easy, if you don't overthink it. I have a tendency to overthink and it lands me in trouble. The best thing for me is to think of doing something and immediately do it. It works.

I liked what the old talk show host Dick Cavet who suffered big time from depression said...
" do you know what the difference between having cancer and having depression is?"

"If the cure was walking across the room and turning on a light switch you could do it if you had cancer with depression it's completely beyond you."

Yes on a good day you could go to the gym however the normal day for a person suffering depression it takes everything you have to get through it!

I also think it's cool you work for AmTrack had a wonderful trip this year up the Hudson River in NY.....

sometimes it is that simple to just grin and bear it and slowly you get 'into' what you're aiming to do.
I know it doesn't feel good always, and some goals seem more achievable than others, so some things are easier for me to 'force myself to do than others.
I think though what I heard or took away from the conversation you had was that someone tried to help you. That gives me a warm feeling. They may not have had the 'answer' but I think it;'s really nice they tried. I know it's sometimes hard to deal with that too. I have some pride issues and such. Anyways my two cents !

Problem with gym memberships is they can be costly and many times one slacks off going and there's the money down the drain. So if you decide to join one, its a good idea to see if you can commit yourself. Or see if there are month to month memberships or see if your health insurance includes any exercise clubs. I know mine does. I agree taking small baby steps could help you become more motivated. I say start small and work your way up.

If you had a broken leg would you be expected to say 'go on just walk on it, it will be fine, go on you can do it;. i don't think so.

It's obvious you have motivation Pagan bc you go to work even when you don't want to. Don't know if it's true or not but somebody told me the other day that motivation itself produces serotonin in the brain!

I do KNOW how hard it is but when I procrastinate it just adds to my feelings of low self-worth causing even a deeper depression (although I'm still guilty of this) I personally wouldn't join a gym yet. i would just say go for a walk for 10 minutes and see how you feel and build up from there. I've seen and have even done it in my younger years joining a gym and then not going and feeling bad about myself even more when that monthly fee rolled around.

I find also that energy produces energy. Hoping the best that your motivation and energy improve soon. HUGS!!

It's not that simple. I like Irish's example of having a broken leg and someone saying "Just walk on it!". Or "Just snap out of it" or "Get Over it" or "Can't you just will yourself out of it??" That last one's one of my favorites. If I could will just about anything, I'd be living in my heart's content!

Sounds like your coworker was trying to be helpful, but if he had never experienced depression and low motivation he wouldn't understand how you feel.

It's hard to start exercising even though we know it's supposed to help us feel better. It takes energy we don't have when we are depressed.

Hope you start to feel better soon.

I wish I had this forum when I was working at the Civil Service. Then I would've understood my scenario far better.

Will this add

Okay... haha... I've put up 2 replies and I keep getting the boot!!!...grrr

Kudos to you for working Pagan... That's huge in itself... I eventually had to quit work due to having so much sick time that was med related... I was wiped out all of the time

When we're at the 'can't get out of bed stage'... No of course these things aren't possible... You have to then just be able to get out to see your doctor and that's a big deal... Meds need adjustments etc

I do think 'fake it til you make it' can help a lot once you are in a stable place but it depends on what you're able to do... We are medicated and on heavy meds ...so what a person can do that isn't dealing with what we are may be completely different then what we may be up for

Perhaps push yourself to start with a walk for 10 or 15 minutes if it's exercise you want to engage in... Or if it's socializing maybe start with going for coffee with a friend.. It may not seem comfortable for you for a while if you've been isolating sweetie... That's where the fake it comes in... Eventually things will probably be more comfortable for you

I have found that I've changed... What was good for me many years ago isn't now and that's something that I accept... big hug...xo

I find that people want to help, they just have no idea how. So ofc they are going to tell you what works for them, and they want to make it sound easy bc then you are more likely to try it. They want to help you feel better. But no, it's not that simple most of the time. It's not you, ok? Not you at all.

Thank you everyone for your responses. I truly appreciate all the support and words of encouragement. Hugs all around.

I retract my statement. I didn't know we were talking about depression. No, it's not that simple when depression is involved.
Hell, I can't even wash my face when I'm depressed. Or eat. Or shower. Barely feed the pets.
Sorry for my stupid statement...I should have read ALL of the replies before I opened my big mouth.
Carry on Pagan! I hope your depression lifts soon.