Have great trouble getting out of bed and getting going. Ways to do?

Question

I am a retired college teacher, who does some church work, has no important responsibities. This was not true of college teaching, but health problems caused me to leave it. So when morning comes, I really have to ask, "Why get up?"

The little nondenominational church I am starting with a friend is tiny. It is in a section of town where it can do some good, and I know it will help the founder, who is 81, and needs something to do. Gosh, I hope I do not linger to 81.

My other work with a nursing home and prison ministry involves a "captive audience". It does not require a real committment. I am in a malaise, have depression, chronic anxiety, and my life is a a burden. I can sincerely minister to people on the basis of knowing the Bible, being able to teach it well, and encourage others--even if I am not encouraged abut myself.

What are little, any things to get me out of bed? Any ideas will be appreciated, simple, suggestions for planning a day? God bless any help.

Thanks for kind and helpful responses. It may not solve all my problems, but it makes me hopeful to know there are such good hearted people in the world,.

The frankness of the last response is appreciated. The message makes it clear to me to project myself as positively as possible. Otherwise since I wrote at length and the message questioning my preaching was thoughtful, I think it is best for me not to further comment. I am gratreful for consctructive criticism, as well as encouragement with the status quo.

Answer 1

I think you are involved in just the right thing (prison ministry) to give you the motivation to get out of bed in the morning. Your involvement with helping prisoners is very commendable and needed. I don't think that many people realize how much pain and human suffering is hidden behind prison walls right here in America. I'm glad to know there are real people like you who care. Yes, they are a captive audience,but the need is there. Give yourself credit for a true good deed and thank you

Answer 2

It doesn't sound like you're really into the things you plan for yourself. They seem noble enough, but maybe it's not God's plan for you. Seek God's plan through prayer and meditation, but also don't be afraid to look at a whole new list of possibilities. Something you've never imagined might be the perfect fit for this chapter in your life. CS Lewis once wrote that "even the man tending the turnip field is serving God." Whatever your "it" is might not be what you had in mind, but so what? If it's the thing for you it's the thing for you.

Whatever you do, don't go down without a fight. Check out everything you can think of. There no reason not to live it up until the very last day.

Answer 3

You feel depressed because you see no purpose of your life. But there is purpose to your life. With your lifetime of experience, you can teach others in ways that would maybe help them lead a satisfying life. Let them know about your mistakes, or your successes.

You just cant tell yourself..why get up ? I mean you should be like Why lay down ? We all are gonna lay down for good. So why do it if we have the choice.


You have to find similiar age grouped people or do some sort of activities with other people. May it be a breakfast club, or something else.


Remember death is a door that everyone must walk through. and that there is nothing wrong with lingering to 81.

Just find some activities to do. That will make you enjoy life.

Answer 4

I must question the value of ministering to others whilst you are in this mind set. You might not think so but I am sure your belief that your life is a burden would be transmitted to others. Shouldn't ministering come from a place of inspiration and a sense of purpose? Do you think it doesn't matter because they are prisoners and old people anyway? I am certain that you cannot "sincerely minister to people" feeling the way you do. It isn't about imparting knowledge. It is more about sharing your love of the Bible and its contents.

Having said that, you sounds like you are deeply mourning the loss of your career as college teacher. Since you had to give it up rather than chose to, underneath you must feel hurt and anger at life's tough deal to you.

Do you think that because you also minister to people that you cannot get angry and rail against life's unfairness?

Like any grief, we have to go through stages and anger always comes before acceptance. Can you go through some counselling to deal with your emotional pain at losing your career?

I suspect there is still another career challenge inside you waiting to be unearthed. You cannot move on until you can deal with the losses of the past. Let go of the belief you can minister to others feeling the way you do. Heal your own pain first and then life will open up in new ways that offer you some inspiration and challenges.

Answer 5

Do some work at your local soup kitchen or good will store. Find out where the poorer people in town are and what they need and then go around to local businesses and raise money for them.

It sounds to me as if you've lost joy in the little things in life. Watching a flower bloom or seeing a sunrise, sitting around a camp fire or even painting a picture. There are so many things that happened to you in your life...the books you've read, the people you've talked to...the things you've seen change...I'm not very old...and I don't know what it's like to be you...maybe it's because I'm an artist...and I see everything that happens to me as a gift rather than a curse...

This winter I had problems with depression, so I went out and bought a digital camera and went around taking pictures of all sorts of things...stupid things...funny things...every day things...Capturing a moment frozen in time...is the most intersting thing to me....but you don't have to use a camera...make a scrap book, paint a picture...it doesn't have to be good (have you SEEN any of that new wave art?!), draw something...again doesn't have to be good...go sit in the sun, make something!

The idea is to keep yourself busy. Get a tape recorder and record yourself talking. Watch other people...don't live in your own mind...what did you teach in college? Doesn't that interest you any more? Just because you retired...doesn't mean the passion for what you taught is gone....

Answer 6

You do sound clinically depressed, and you have a right to feel this way. Your health caused you to give up something you loved to do. Once someone starts having chronic health problems, they often become depressed. The chemical imbalance makes your symptoms feel worse, which causes more of an imbalance making everyday activities very difficult. Go to dr for Rx of antidepressant. You would go to dr for high blood pressure--right? Depression is a health problem, too. You have to get up because even though you feel like you are ministering to a "captive audience," I guarantee you there are some who are there that really want to be there. They look forward to seeing you, you give them a reason to get out of bed and these are people who are prisoners in their own bodies, prisoners because of bad choices. You need to remember that even though you feel like you're nobody in the world, you might be the world to somebody. Isn't just helping one person at a minimum worth it?? I am sure you could teach a class on your field to prisoners and that would be a positive thing in their life and is an important responsibility. Emerson once said, "The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand nor the kindly smile nor the joy of companionship; it's the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him." Templeton said, "Christianity does not reomove you from the world and it's problems; it makes you fit to live in it, triumphantly and usefully." Your life is not a burden, it's a blessing to all of those to whom you come in contact with.

Answer 7

My advice is simple and a little bit silly... get a dog, or a cat.

Something that needs your attention in the morning to be fed or walked etc.

It is amazing that you are doing so much for others and the community, and though those people need and rely on you, it seems to not be enough to motivate you each morning. And that is ok! it is hard to justify the needs of strangers as your purpose in life. I think you need something more immediate and personal, something that NEEDS you and only you, and you'll realize how important you are.

Plus a cat crying in your ear for a hour or a dog licking your face are two extremely effective alarm clocks. They force you to realize that you have immediate responsibilities that you cannot avoid, even if you try :)

Answer 8

This is just an assumption based on the information provided in your question, but it seems like you do so much for others that you don't do a lot for yourself. Have you taken a vacation recently? Do you have a hobby that you love? Go to the gym. The gym does WONDERS for how you feel about yourself and life and you're never too old or handicapped to work out - unless you're a complete vegetable which I'm assuming you're not. Ask yourself, while in the midst of helping others (which is GREAT), "What do I want to do? What do I want to do to make me happy?" That might spark some motivation.

Answer 9

I have a story to tell you . First of all you should think god every day for the blue sky and for being able to see it. They are so many people who can't . I work with people who are unable to see,cannot speak,cannot hear or walk you have probably guess it , yes they are retarded, and they get up each morning and sometimes even manage to have a smile on there face.So you need to be more positive. Because they are so many people who are less fortunate than you

Answer 10

You have the same problem as other "givers". You pull people in under your umbrella to shelter and help them, and they are crowding you out.
Choose to say "no" sometimes,
schedule some time to be in a place you love to be. close off to others and be you.
You have a beautiful nature, and all the love you give out will be mopped up. When is it your turn to start soaking up the good vibes?
If they are not being put in your path, create them for yourself. Or do you reject others who offer this to you?
Look closely at your friends and acquaintances and work out which ones to propagate and which to ease away from. This sound cruel, and for a sensitive soul almost impossible, but it truly will free you up for more enjoyment and less draining of your good soul.
God loves you. He also helps those who help themselves.