Motivation ....

[Farmer_Gyles]

Had a bad year with health, still recovering .... garden and allotment suffered .... then other things .... seriously lacking motivation to get out there and sort it out ....

Need to pull up onions and dig up spuds .... althought they might have rotted by now .... a few weeks back I had several cabbages still growing, don't know if they still are .... the sweetcorn rotted on the stems ..... I did pick a load of stuff when a mate came round, was gonna make pickles andchutneys but I just let the whole lot rot ......

I *want* to do it, just not motivated to do it ..... I want to be motivated for a fresh start next year ....

I'm not sitting round doing nothing .... I'm decorating, should have the kitchen finished this week, got another 2 rooms to do, other things to do .... just can't face the veggie patch or allotment at the moment .....

Any tips?

[allotmentlady]

I would write a plan of action, what is REALLY necessary and do one job at a time, you will soon find yourself back into the swing of things and wanting to do more.

Hope your feeling a lot better now xx good to see you back on here xx

[Glutton4...]

Hey FG, I think we all go through phases like that. Like AL said, writing a plan of action is a fine way to start. I have a 'To do List' which I refer to regularly, and add to frequently. I can't confess to ever getting round to doing a lot of the jobs though!

Good luck with it - just remember; there are always folk far worse-off than you!

[OllieMartin]

The lows are necessary to appreciate the highs.
I always find that the best way to overcome demotivation is to do a chunk at a time. try and break it down into little tasks that don't require quite as much motivation.
As soon as you've done enough tasks to show you've made a difference, the idea of what you will have achieved by the end should give you fuel to finish the job.
Once it's done you'll be so proud of how things look now, that you'll have forgotten how you feel now.

I did my back garden after I was made redundant AND discovered that I had a serious medical condition, but it was my way of focusing on something else. It really made the difference for me and it's what stopped me from getting demotivated. It probably helped that I had started it before my diagnosis, so I was even more determined to finish it. It also wasn't rediculously overgrown or in a particularly bad state, so was starting with a bit of a blank canvass.

Just remember; the reward from beating the odds is always greater when the odds are stacked against you.

[zazen999]

Perhaps you should give up the plot?

[Two_Sheds]

Perhaps you should give up the plot?

Mmmm.
I'm sure we've had this conversation before FG

[Jeanied]

If you are anything like me you need to trick yourself. Go to the lottie and say you're just going for a look around, not to do anything. Take a pad and pencil. Make notes. Maybe you will get the urge! Only for half an hour mind. Then come home. You did it. Next time maybe 3/4 hour and so on. Plan B - put a note up in the local PO for a helper - get some help!! Very motivating to see the whole thing take shape! I did this and it was magic!

[Nicos]

Oh I have days like that...just ignore until your conscience gets the better of you....or better still- just do a bit here and there until you click back in!
Grab a friend- and they'll hep motivate you!!!

I understand why you want to keep hold of the plot...it's a grip on a life you'd prefer to continue with once you feel better....just do enough to keep the plot for now, until you know how your life is directing itself.
Maybe getting a mate to help out for now really is he answer for next year???

Hope you have a better 2010 FG!

[Snadger]

Oh I have days like that...just ignore until your conscience gets the better of you....or better still- just do a bit here and there until you click back in!
Grab a friend- and they'll hep motivate you!!!

I understand why you want to keep hold of the plot...it's a grip on a life you'd prefer to continue with once you feel better....just do enough to keep the plot for now, until you know how your life is directing itself.
Maybe getting a mate to help out for now really is he answer for next year???

Hope you have a better 2010 FG!

You don't work for the Samaritans per chance do you Nicos?

FG should get some chooks at the allotment then he'll HAVE to go each day like I have to!!

[Alison]

Perhaps you should give up the plot?

That seems a bit harsh, the OP was asking for help with motivation which would seem to me that he is wanting to progress rather than quit.

I find it best to break things down into bite sized bits, when all added up to a whole it is all a bit overwelming but it can be a lot easier to do if I can tick things off the list every few minutes. That's why I've split my plot up into a series of little beds so that I can weed one of those pretty quickly and it's done. I know that particular example isn't much help to you at the moment but you can use the same approach when harvesting or doing anything. Set yourself the task of digging up a row of spuds and then go home. That way you won't have too much to do and won't have too many spuds to sort when you get home and with any luck the simple act of a small step forward will encourage you to do the same a couple of days later and on and on.

[piskieinboots]

a bit at a time FG - and chin up lad

[SarzWix]

Perhaps you should give up the plot?

Mmmm.
I'm sure we've had this conversation before FG

That seems a bit harsh, the OP was asking for help with motivation which would seem to me that he is wanting to progress rather than quit.

As Two_Sheds said, we've had this conversation before

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ddy_22881.html

And a couple of others just like it.

FG, I have every sympathy with the trials of gardening with a disability or medical problem - I have hypermobility syndrome which poses all sorts of limitations plus the ankle troubles I've had since last year. (And I think I've probably moaned about it a lot ) It is definitely possible to find ways around, and keep a plot productive, if you really want to.
But, if after all this time you're still struggling with your plot, and you haven't made any progress in finding someone to help you with it...? Maybe it is time to evaluate whether you want a whole plot? Will the council split it and rent half out to somebody else? Could you advertise in the paper or in a local shop for someone to share it with you?

[Seamus]

hi fg,try to get out there for a short period of time each day, even to have a chat wit ur neighbours and some fresh air, dont worry bout getting it all sorted straight away, ease back in and maybe form a plan for next year, different veg r fruit bushes to reignite your intrest, gud luck with it

[zazen999]

That seems a bit harsh, the OP was asking for help with motivation which would seem to me that he is wanting to progress rather than quit.

It's not - if FG hasn't got the motivation, and hasn't for some time now - perhaps it is time to let it go. We've been here before and we've all jollied FG up; but if he's not interested, he's not interested. It's just an allotment; it wouldn't be the end of the world if he gave it up.

[HotStuff]

If I was closer FG I'd offer to help out or take half off you, I'm on a 5 year waiting list for a local plot. Hope you work it out, life can be a bitch at times but hopefully there'll be some sunshine after the rain.