Ask HN: How do you deal with lack of motivation?

Is a lack of motivation necessarily a bad thing? Maybe things are acceptable as they are, and don't necessarily require change. Though, it does seem part of the human condition to constantly aspire to be more, or greater, or faster, or some delta of improvement.

I suppose it's contextual, to a baseline. Maybe one doesn't feel "motivated" to work on their startup idea, after 40 hours of conventional work. Maybe that's your body's way of telling you, you've had enough, and you shouldn't over-exert yourself. But if you weren't working at all, it would be a different conversation.

I would say that boredom is the opposite side of the coin of creativity. When well balanced it looks like a balanced group of habits that goes from productivity at full strength (because all animals need jobs) to time taken off enjoying mindless entertainment or pointless hobbies to relax (because sometimes work is too much).

I bet when one notices a lack of motivation, it's a lack of motivation in a certain arena, not motivation in general, a lack of motivation to what one think they SHOULD be doing.

Without knowing anything about your situation, it's hard to recommend anything. But lack of motivation can be a symptom of depression and it may be helpful to speak with your physician and get screened for it.

If you read about the symptoms and recognize more than one in yourself, and you still aren't able to commit to seeing a health care professional, confide in a friend or partner and ask them to help you through the process and hold you accountable, because depression is like a parasite that won't let itself be treated.