Hey J, for me, I had to start making a daily schedule of things to do. Usually don't complete them all, but will settle for getting 2 or 3 checked off. I have had to look for what I can do, not what I used to be able to do. I have had to accept that tasks will take longer due to the back problems. I broke the cycle by baby steps. Healing hugs, Sandra.

My ex-husband suffered the same fate. It took several years for him to find the right combination of psych med and pain management meds to work for him. And it still isn't 100%. He still has bad days (we remain close even after the divorce was final).

I think the secret is to find a hobby or activity that requires your daily attention. For my ex, it is his garden and his backyard birds. He feels responsible and accountable to his birds to make sure the feeders are full and the birdbath water is clean. That requires daily maintenance. Also his garden requires watering, weeding, etc. Not so much activity that it his back pain prevents him from accomplishing his tasks, but enough to get him out of bed, out of the house and doing something. He tells me that since he has a reason to get out of bed, a purpose to his day, he is motivated to get out of bed and start his day.

He recently told me he wants to start raising chickens again. I am happy for him because he will have another reason to get out of bed and into life.

I pray you find something that works for you.

PS - there is a new group Gardening for Sanity

https://www.dailystrength.org/group/gardening-for-sanity

You may find suggestions and tips for a more "active" outdoor life. Gardening is good for the soul. Nothing makes me feel more grounded than working in the dirt.

Idling for a long time becomes a destructive habit as you clearly realize. The 'cure' for idling is activity. Yes ... you are in a loop and you have to break out .... or stay in I am sure there are many things that would keep you busy. Too many to try to mention.

I hope you find something soon. How about photography? Not a costly hobby.

Hi there,
Do you live in your own home- because I always say in a House there is always something to do.
Please do remember Idle hands is the Devils playground.(mentally and physically)

Thanks for all the good ideas folks. I have tried some of them. Bought myself a real nice camera a few years ago. My wife dragged me to some photography classes and I bought photo shop. That lasted about 3 months.
As for the house, my wife hates if I try to do housework. She says I will hurt myself. I never seem to find a hobby that lasts very long.

I do like that daily schedule idea. I think I will try that and see how long that lasts. I am very limited because of my back. But it is worth a try

All above comments are great. Many of us must adjust our lives to our health conditions. God is good though. Like others said, find some hobbies: reading, art, music, movies. God bless.

I do have one passion. writing music. but I find it so hard to get to that. Just not motivated. But when I am writing I am very content. you would think problem solved. But it is tough to drag myself to the computer to work. No desire at all