After years of being too poor to go to school, I finally enrolled, and I mean. It’s been rough. Starting 2 years in bio right after high school, dropping for family issues, working my way up an industry that crash hard and being unemployed for a while. Sure. But I’ve wanted to get a degree my whole life.
I just signed up for 2 dumb classes since it’s the only ones I could take while working and I havent done a thing. I was diagnosed with ADHD at 23, but I’ve been super productive and learning how to use it, so it’s not that.
I just…. Don’t care. About a lot of things. Getting to work on time (which I usually hated people for) keeping my room clean (my room used to get compliments for being “the cleanest guys room ever”). But school? I can’t let my weird lazy or depressed body win.
Any advice or books to read when you NEED to get disciplined when your body won’t.
Comments
What’s ya fitness and diet like,
Tiny Habits and Atomic Habits both helped me. I struggle with motivation and also all-or-nothing thinking. It helped me to see things as more incremental.
When I am like that it’s when I’m emotionally overwhelmed and relaxing myself usually does the trick. A walk, a bath, meditation, etc…
I just started ACT therapy and it’s been nice
There’s nothing wrong with your brain. What you’re experiencing is a sign—not of failure—but of feedback. Your mind is wise, and it’s trying to tell you something through this resistance, this lack of care, this so-called “laziness.”
When you say you wanted a degree your whole life, the real question is: Why? Was it truly your mission? Or was it a projection from someone else—a parent, society, your younger self trying to prove something?
The moment you lose clarity on your highest values—the things that are most deeply meaningful to you, not to the world around you—you’ll feel drained, unmotivated, and apathetic. Your body will literally slow down to stop you from expending energy on something that doesn’t align with your purpose. That’s not dysfunction. That’s intelligent feedback.
Now, here’s the pivot.
Ask yourself: What do I spontaneously do that I can’t wait to get up and do each day? What do I love learning about, talking about, or doing—even when no one’s watching? That’s where your energy comes back. That’s where discipline turns into inspiration.
Don’t force discipline. Align your actions with your true highest values. Because when you do, discipline becomes effortless, procrastination fades, and your vitality returns.
And yes, books can help—but start with yourself. Start by getting clear on what your real, authentic mission is. Because when you align with that, your so-called “lazy” body becomes a powerhouse again.
Oh, you’re burnt-out, my friend. All that you’ve done is srsly impressive, to go through all of that, you should be proud of yourself. But atp it sounds like ur body and mind are begging for rest.
If possible, take time off, get a low energy or part time job if you can and just focus on rest and recoup as much as possible. During that time you can process what went right and what to improve on so it doesn’t happen again. Once you learn your limits and maintain those boundaries, you’ll come back unstoppable
This won’t be a popular answer, but Magic mushrooms. Very misunderstood because people think of them as a “drug”. There’s a lot of research about how they can literally re-wire your brain. Look up some articles, there is actually neuroscience behind it.
This sounds like all or nothing mentality. You let one thing go, and everything crumbles. You might need to rewire your brain how to cope with these types of situations.
Another is to keep track. As someone with ADHD, it’s so easy to lose track. A journal might be a good idea.
The first task of the day is extremely important. Usually, snowballs to getting more tasks done. But it’s necessary that you predetermine what tasks you need to finish the previous day.
Clean environments help you keep better habits. Since we have such a limited amount of willpower, we need to get our environments organized so that we don’t get easily influenced by them.
Your physical and mental conditions play a role, too. If you eat badly, you feeling bad will contribute to your loss of motivation. Same with mental. If you are negative or emotionally burdened by something, your energy goes there instead of the right places.
And also, fasting helps with mental clarity. Well, at least for me. 16-8 is enough though.
Same. Who knows. All I know is just keep putting in the work cause you’ll regret it if you don’t
Dopamine detox is all you need I promise
Sounds like it could be ADHD or burnout. As someone very productive with ADHD, the hyperfocus can be a blessing and a curse. At least for me I came to realize that I could set off my hyperfocus when I felt like I was in survival mode/dead set on achieving some goal. When the pressure is off like with you taking these 2 “dumb classes”, it’s not as accessible to panic, stress, or shame yourself into doing them.
Honestly this sounds like an opportunity for you to practice listening to your body; slow down, notice the shame your out on “being lazy”, and give yourself permission not to be productive all the time. Longer term, there’s def some need for acceptance around ADHD working in cycles like this