Estimated Reading Time: 10 mins
Introduction
Is it depression?
Or perhaps a serious bout of fatigue?
This sudden lack of interest, depletion of energy, and lackadaisical attitude are phases most of us will experience at some point in our lives.
The cause will vary from person to person, but our experience often looks the same.
We lose enjoyment in the things we once loved, preferring a state of idleness — watching our favourite shows, eating what we want and simply existing.
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It’s an uncomfortable position to be in because even though we feel incapable at the time, our minds still remind us of things that require our attention.
The goals we said we’d work towards, the physical activity we promised to commit to, the cleaning we were meant to finish days ago, and the list goes on.
But despite the mounting responsibilities, the reality remains — we just don’t feel like we can.
This combination of emotional depletion, coupled with our mind’s expectations of what we should be doing, can lead to a self-critical and defeatist mindset — making matters worse.
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Time to Draw the Line
As we continue to indulge this reluctant yet willing state of nothingness, the question becomes — when is enough, enough?
How long do we allow ourselves to linger in this space of complacency and defeatism?
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It’s eerily comfortable yet equally destructive — providing a false sense of safety and relaxation whilst subtly chipping away at our confidence.
The danger of being in this space is that it can become addictive and the longer it continues, the more likely it is to spiral into something more serious, like actual depression.
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So how do we pull ourselves out of this temporary sunken place?
Well, if you’re familiar with my content, you’ll know I’m an advocate for intentional action — even in the midst of uncertain feelings.
Allow me to explain further.
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Bypassing our feelings may seem to go against everything modern culture promotes.
However, my point isn’t that we should ignore our feelings altogether — we should acknowledge them, but it’s how we respond to them that truly matters.
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We must build a structure of consistent, productive habits that shape our behaviour, allowing us to lead our feelings rather than being led by them.
This way, we can take charge no matter our situation, and prevent our emotions from undermining our quality of life and overall experience.
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Navigating a Low Point
Writing this blog post was the last thing I wanted to do when I began — I felt exhausted and completely drained of energy.
It had already been a difficult day, triggered by some bad news I had received.
As a result, I felt disheartened, upset, and my energetic aura quickly faded.
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Despite my lack of willingness and diminished enthusiasm, I decided to sit at my desk and write anyway, because I had learned through prior practice, to disengage from negative emotions.
My post needed to be written, as they do each month, so despite the upset, I decided I would show up.
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Following the lead of my emotions in the past only served to solidify an unpredictable lifestyle.
By learning to take intentional action, I’ve built a greater level of discipline and become more consistently productive, creating more stability in my life.
Freedom is found in structure and discipline — and although this statement sounds counterintuitive on paper, in practice, it couldn’t be more true.
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When you build a disciplined lifestyle across your health, diet, relationships, work, and personal habits, you ultimately create freedom for yourself.
This is because you’re no longer driven by reactive emotional responses, but instead act with intention — guided by the character you’ve developed over time.
Your ability to stay disciplined helps keep your emotions in check, providing a deeper sense of peace and mental stability — the very essence of freedom.
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New Meaning, New Method
So, do we just ignore our feelings?
Not at all.
What I’m emphasising is that we must avoid acting impulsively in response to them, because they are guaranteed to fluctuate.
If we allow our actions to follow suit, our lives will shift in the same way, leaving our sense of emotional and mental security under constant threat.
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Consistent, disciplined practices keep us grounded in the face of momentary emotions.
Our output can remain steady and reliable, preserving our progress while supporting a more stable and resilient sense of wellbeing.
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Intentional action can gradually guide your emotions to a more optimistic space — even if you start off feeling low.
As I continued writing this post that day, I began to feel better the longer I stayed with it.
I felt a sense of accomplishment despite the day’s setbacks, and my mood shifted significantly — not quite 100%, but certainly better than it was at the start.
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The positive action I took reaffirmed my confidence in my resilience, lifting my mood and preventing the days’ negativity from worsening.
Life will always be filled with the inconsistencies of our circumstances.
To protect our wellbeing, we must prioritise practicing productive behaviours.
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Taking Action to Turn the Tide
I want you to take note of the task below and put it into practice whenever you feel your mental energy or momentum dropping, and are tempted to slip into a state of inaction.
If you’re currently in a phase of ‘life blues’, complete Step 1 today and follow through with the rest tomorrow.
The reason for this is to give you the space to acknowledge your feelings, while mentally preparing to move forward.
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So, be tired, upset, — rest, or even cry if you need to.
Allow yourself to feel what you’re feeling, but when tomorrow comes, it’s Day One.
A fresh start and a new opportunity to tackle life head on because you’re capable.
No matter how we wake up feeling, we move forward with Steps 2 and 3 below.
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Step 1.
(Do this today)
Write down two small goals and one medium-sized goal you’d like to achieve by the end of tomorrow.
You’re welcome to add more, but remember to keep your goals realistic.
Below is a personal example of what I’ve done in the past:
- Complete a 10-minute jog on the treadmill (small)
- Read for 30 minutes — The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (small)
- Clean the Bathroom (medium)
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Step 2.
Regardless of how you feel at the start, complete the goals you’ve written from Step 1.
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Step 3.
Before you sleep, record a diary entry of your activity today — by video, voice, or in writing.
As you do, reflect on the following points.
- How were you feeling before you started your tasks?
- What did you choose to focus on (i.e. the goals you set)?
- How did you feel after completing your tasks?
- What was your proudest moment of the day?
- What advice or encouragement would you give to someone in the same position you were in?
You may be wondering why creating this record is necessary?
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The next time you find yourself slipping into blues-like behavioural patterns, I want you to play or read this record back before repeating the Steps again.
It will serve as a diary note of reflection but most importantly, it’ll act as a powerful message of encouragement from your past self to your present self.
You’ll be surprised by the impact it has in those future moments when you feel unenthused.
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Summary
I encourage you to put the above task into practice once a month.
Keep it light and achievable to avoid overwhelming yourself.
After maintaining this consistently for six months, increase both the frequency and intensity of your goals, completing it twice a month.
You’ll notice the shift in your perspective on difficult days, but you’ll also see the growth in your character and mindset begin to surface naturally.
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What I’ve shared is a practice I’ve lived by for years — it’s how I maintain discipline and optimism, regardless of my circumstances at any given time.
What many don’t realise is that happiness requires effort and our ongoing participation.
The ‘life blues’ will come and go, but the one thing that should remain consistent is us.
We can live better, be happier, and experience a greater sense of wellbeing if we so desire it.
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:2
