how to overcome apathy

Apathy is actually defined as the absence of emotion. Apathy also fosters secondary emotions like shame, guilt, self-loathing, and low self-esteem, and that creates the slippery slide toward depression.  Apathy is not an emotion to disregard. If you feel apathetic, then you need to snap out of it quickly.

Here are some signs you might be sinking into a state of apathy:

• Your regular interests and hobbies don’t feel interesting or fun anymore;
• You feel very unmotivated at work and your work performance starts to slip;
• Every time you think of acting on a goal or possible interest, you quickly lose steam;
• You allow yourself to spend a lot of time in front of the TV, surfing the net, shopping, or playing video games;
• You feel frustrated or embarrassed being around friends who have something interesting going on in their lives or you avoid them altogether;
• You fill your life with mindless tasks and busy work to keep from having to figure out what you really want in life;
• You are reading lots of self-help books without applying any of the help;
• You are eating too much and exercising too little.

See ways to stop being apathetic;

1. Start with perspective

Apathy is a temporary state of being. You are not lazy, passionless, stupid, boring, unmotivated, or any other label you give yourself while you feel apathetic. Apathy does not define who you are, just how you feel right now.

2. Define the cause

If you can, figure out the trigger or cause of your apathy. Think deeply about why you are feeling apathetic and if there is any discernible cause. There may not be, but if there is, it’s important to know.

3. Change the things you can

If you do recognize a cause or trigger for your apathy, is there anything that can be done about it? Write these down and begin brainstorming real ways to take action on them. Just taking control of small pieces of the cause or trigger will afford you a sense of control over your life, which can help break up apathy.

4. Create small disturbances

Whether or not you know the cause for your apathy, start creating small disturbances in your life and schedule. Shake things up a bit. Do things in a different order in the morning. Go in earlier to work. Talk to a new person. Just break out of your regular routine. Your daily routine, though sometimes comforting, can also trap you in apathy and boredom.

5. Create a mood

Put yourself in situations and with people where you feel the most energized as often as possible. Does music make you feel happier? Then play more music. Are there people who lift your spirits, make you laugh, and draw out the best in you? Then purposefully spend time with those people. Mindfully put yourself in environments that don’t feed your apathy.

6. List past joys

Sit down and think about everything in your past that made you come alive with excitement and enthusiasm. List events both in your personal and professional life. Then next to each situation, list the specific elements of those situations that fostered the good feelings. Tease out the feelings and values these events fostered that made you feel so good.

7. Pick one thing

If you have been toying with ideas and interests, but you are not sure which one you should pursue or invest time in, then match them to the values and feelings you outlined before. Just pick one to focus on for a while.

8. Learn about habits

Snapping out of apathy involves forcing change. You force it in well-considered, but small and manageable increments. As you begin to practice this change and get more proficient and disciplined, you will feel better about yourself and will have more energy and enthusiasm for what you are doing, especially if it’s something that supports your values, aptitudes, and interests.