Nothing Works Out and You Have No Strength to Go On? It's Not Laziness: Unpacking the True Reasons
There are moments in everyone's life when they feel completely drained. You want to do something, but you can't. You know you need to move forward, but you don't have the strength to even get out of bed. Other people, looking at you, might say, «You're just lazy,» «Pull yourself together!» or «Stop sitting around.» These words not only don't help but also worsen the feeling of guilt and helplessness. We start to believe that something is wrong with us, that we are indeed lazy and incapable of anything.
However, from a psychological perspective, a lack of strength and motivation is almost never laziness. It is a symptom that points to deeper problems. It's a signal that our body and psyche are sending us, saying: «Stop! Something is wrong, and you need help.» In this article, we will break down why a lack of strength is not laziness and what is actually behind this state. We will help you understand the true cause and how to find the strength to move forward.
1. A Lack of Strength is a Consequence of Burnout
The modern world demands constant productivity from us. We have to be successful at work, be perfect parents, be good friends, and always be happy people. This race leads to exhaustion. We work ourselves to the bone, not giving ourselves time to recover, and at some point, the body simply refuses to work. This is called burnout. Burnout is not laziness, but deep physical and emotional exhaustion that results from chronic stress.
How to know if you have burnout?
- Physical symptoms: constant fatigue, insomnia, or, conversely, excessive sleepiness, headaches, and digestive problems.
- Emotional symptoms: cynicism, irritability, a feeling of detachment from work and people, apathy, and a loss of interest in what used to bring joy.
- Behavioral symptoms: procrastination, avoiding responsibility, decreased productivity, and a reluctance to socialize.
If you notice these symptoms, it doesn't mean you are a bad or lazy person. It means you need rest and possibly the help of a specialist. Your body and psyche need to recover. Ignoring these signals is dangerous.
2. A Lack of Strength is a Manifestation of Depression
Depression is not just a bad mood; it is a serious mental illness that requires treatment. One of its main symptoms is anhedonia, which is the loss of the ability to feel pleasure from what used to bring joy. Depression takes all the energy from a person, depriving them of motivation and the desire to do anything. In such a state, a person cannot simply «pull themselves together.» It's the same as telling a person with a broken leg, «Just get up and walk.»
Signs of depression:
- Chronic fatigue that doesn't go away even after a long rest.
- A depressed mood that lasts for most of the day for two or more weeks.
- Changes in appetite and sleep.
- Feelings of guilt and worthlessness.
- Loss of interest in life.
If you suspect you have depression, don't hesitate to contact a psychotherapist. Depression is not a weakness but an illness, and it can and should be treated.
3. A Lack of Strength is a Consequence of Negative Beliefs
Sometimes we can't move forward not because we are lazy, but because negative beliefs are sitting in our subconscious, sabotaging our success. For example, the belief «Nothing will work out for me anyway» robs us of the desire to even start doing anything. Why bother if the result is already known? This can be part of our «black streak,» when we no longer believe that we can change anything. Such beliefs are formed in childhood and are very difficult to change. They make us unconsciously sabotage ourselves to confirm our negative beliefs.
How does this manifest itself?
- Procrastination. You constantly put things off.
- Avoidance. You avoid new opportunities because you're afraid of failure.
- Low self-esteem. You constantly criticize yourself and don't believe in your abilities.
Working on negative beliefs is a long process, but it is incredibly important, because only by changing our thoughts can we change our reality.
4. What to Do When You Have No Strength?
If you feel like you have no strength, don't beat yourself up. It's not laziness. It's a signal. Here are a few steps that will help you get out of this state:
- Stop. Stop demanding more from yourself than you can give. Give yourself time to rest and recover. Take a break from work; take a vacation. This is not a weakness but an act of self-care.
- Find the reason. Think about what is really behind your state. Is it burnout? Depression? Negative beliefs? Realizing the reason is already half the battle.
- Ask for help. Don't be afraid to seek help from specialists: psychologists, psychotherapists. They will help you understand the causes of your state and find solutions.
- Start small. Don't try to «move mountains» right away. Start with the smallest actions: a walk in the fresh air, a call to a friend, reading your favorite book. These small steps will gradually bring back your energy and belief in yourself.
- Take care of your body. Proper nutrition, sleep, and physical activity are the foundation. Our emotional state is directly dependent on our physical health.
Remember that a lack of strength is not a sentence. It's an opportunity to stop, understand yourself, and start life with a clean slate. And only by taking responsibility for our state can we find the strength to move forward.
We've discussed that a lack of strength is not laziness but a consequence of deeper internal problems. We've seen that the root of these problems is in burnout, depression, or negative beliefs, not in external circumstances. Understanding this is, of course, an important step. But how do you move from understanding to action? How do you learn to make the right choices when it seems like everything is against you? I once found myself in a similar situation, where I had a lot of theoretical knowledge, but my life was not getting better. This is what prompted me to create the step-by-step guide «The Labyrinth of Life.» This book is a practical guide that will help you not only understand the causes of your failures but also start taking action to permanently get out of your «black streak» and get your life back on track. To begin your journey toward change, simply go to the very beginning, to the «Introduction» section.
