Why Can't I Motivate Myself To Do Anything?!?!
- Jason Henry-Ruhl
- Jul 21
- 5 min read
“I don’t feel like doing anything. Not even the things I usually enjoy. I can’t even take small steps. I feel like I’m wasting away. What’s wrong with me?”
If you’ve been in this place — or you’re sitting in it right now — I want to start by saying something you may not have heard enough:
You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. You’re not alone.
What you’re experiencing isn’t a lack of discipline or motivation. It’s something deeper — and much more common than you think. This is what it feels like to be spiritually exhausted, emotionally depleted, and mentally paralyzed.
This Isn’t Just About Motivation
You might be asking:
“Why can’t I just do what I know I should do?”
“Why does even basic self-care feel impossible?”
“Why can I work to meet deadlines but not move my body, eat well, or do the things I love?”
The truth? You’re not lacking willpower. You’re probably carrying more than your nervous system, heart, and spirit can hold right now.
What Might Really Be Going On
Let’s name some of the deeper, often unseen realities that might be causing this emotional shutdown:
1. High-Functioning Depression (Dysthymia)
You can show up to work, meet deadlines, even smile — but inside you feel empty. Hobbies feel like chores. Rest doesn’t restore you. Joy feels distant or irrelevant.
The Clue: You can perform, but you can’t feel.
2. Emotional Freeze or Nervous System Shutdown
Your body may be stuck in freeze mode after too much stress, trauma, or anxiety. You’re not wired to run full-speed forever. At some point, your nervous system shuts down to protect you.
The Clue: You’re not panicked — you’re just numb and flat.
3. Soul Burnout
You’ve been pouring out and giving, but haven’t been receiving rest, joy, or connection in return. Even the things that used to fill you up feel meaningless.
The Clue: Everything — even fun or rest — feels like more work.
4. Accumulated Grief or Unprocessed Trauma
Something painful — a loss, disappointment, or betrayal — may still be lingering. Not consciously, but in your soul. Sometimes the weight of our grief slowly deadens our drive.
The Clue: You feel a vague ache you can’t explain, so you avoid everything.
5. Shame and Perfectionism
You know where you want to be. And the gap between that and where you are feels unbearable. You hate facing it. So instead, you avoid starting at all.
The Clue: Self-loathing or embarrassment keeps you from even trying.
6. Physical or Hormonal Imbalance
Vitamin deficiencies (like D, B12, or magnesium), thyroid issues, poor sleep quality, or long-term stress can wreak havoc on your mind and body.
The Clue: You’re tired no matter what, mentally foggy, and off-balance.
The Lie of Hustle & Spiritual Grit
Culture — and sometimes even the church — tells us, “Just try harder.” Or worse:
“If you really had faith, you’d push through.”
But God doesn’t respond to our exhaustion with scolding. He responds with compassion.
Look at Elijah, collapsing under a broom tree, begging to die. Did God lecture him? No. He gave him food. Water. Rest. Then He whispered.
Jesus Himself withdrew to quiet places. Not because He lacked discipline — but because He understood limits.
What to Do When You Can’t Do Anything
When you're spiritually worn out and emotionally frozen, you need permission, not pressure. Here’s a faithful framework to help you begin — gently.
🔹 1. Name the Truth — Without Shame
Start here: “I’m not lazy. I’m not failing. I’m overwhelmed.”
Even if you can’t fully explain it yet, giving your internal state a name begins the healing process. Try journaling or saying out loud:
“I feel stuck.”
“I’m afraid of how far I’ve drifted.”
“I don’t want to see the reality of how behind I feel.”
Naming your truth allows you to reconnect to your humanity — and to God’s grace.
🔹 2. Stop Trying to Fix — and Start Grounding
Before you rebuild your life, you have to stabilize your soul. That starts with grounding, not doing.
Try this:
Put your feet flat on the floor.
Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 6.
Say one truth out loud: “God, I’m tired. But I’m still yours.”
🔹 3. Try Gentle Discipline, Not Rigid Routines
Structure can be healing — but only if it’s flexible and kind.
Try these:
The One Thing Rule: Choose just one small thing to do today. Just one.(Answer one email. Fold one shirt. Brush your teeth.)
Use a Timer, Not a To-Do List: Set a 10-minute timer. That’s it. If you want to stop after, you can.
Celebrate Completion, Not Productivity: Finishing one tiny task is a win, not a weakness.
🔹 4. Speak to Yourself Like You Would Your Child
If your child said, “I feel like I can’t do anything,” you wouldn’t respond with, “Well, try harder.”
You’d say:
“That’s okay, sweetheart. Let’s just do one thing together.”
“You’re safe. You’re loved.”
“I’m here.”
You deserve that same compassion — from yourself.
🔹 5. Invite Grace-Filled Accountability
Reach out to one person you trust. Not to “fix” you, but to see you.Say something like:
“Hey, I’m not doing okay. I’m struggling to show up for even basic things. I’m not asking for solutions. I just want to be honest.”
Even a single text can break the silence.
🔹 6. Take Inventory of What’s Still True
Even in this numb place:
You are still loved by God.
You are still valuable — even if you do nothing today.
You still have purpose — even if you can’t see it yet.
You don’t have to be thriving to be worthy of care. Your survival is sacred.
A Prayer for When You Feel Numb
“God, I feel numb. I can’t get myself to do anything. Even the things I used to love feel pointless. But I don’t want to give up. I’m not asking for answers — just presence. Be near me in this emptiness. Whisper to me in the silence. And remind me that I’m still yours.”
Biblical Anchor
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”—Psalm 34:18
God is not disappointed in your paralysis. He’s drawing closer to you in it.
Practical Next Steps (Only If You're Ready)
These aren’t “solutions.” They’re lifelines.
🕯️ Spiritual
Sit in silence for 2 minutes. Just breathe. Whisper “Jesus” with every exhale.
💧 Physical
Drink a glass of water. Lay in the sun for 5 minutes. Stretch your arms above your head.
💬 Emotional
Text a trusted friend: “Hey, I’ve been feeling really low lately. Could use a safe space to talk soon.”
Reflection Questions
What am I avoiding because I’m afraid of how far I’ve fallen behind?
Where am I expecting perfection instead of presence?
What would it look like to offer myself gentleness instead of guilt today?
Consider This
You’re not wasting away. You’re not broken. You’re worn out. You’re hurting. You’re human.
And God meets people exactly where they are — not where they pretend to be.
If this blog resonated with you, know this: You are the reason Mindful Faith Ministries exists.
We sit in the messy middle — between mental health and faith — because we’ve been there, too.
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Anxiety Relief Worksheets on Etsy — gentle tools, not cures
Want to Talk?
If you're in this space right now, email us or reach out on social. We’re not counselors, but we’ll point you toward hope — and remind you that you're not the only one who's felt this way.