Lack of motivation

I am much the same but I make myself go out for a walk most days and really enjoy it once I am out. My downsize home doesn't need a lot of cleaning so I'm quite happy getting on with my hobbies.
I think when you get into your 70s and you are well and feel content with life you are very lucky.

I can quite easily sit on the sofa and watch daytime TV if I’m not at work so a couple of months ago I joined the gym and now go three times a week ..(I am 70)

Yes, Trisher123. I share those feelings. Sometimes I have to give myself a good talking to in order to make myself go out, or do something positive, or wait until I get a sudden 'whim'. Lethargy is so comfortable at times. But I do make myself fight it.
You sound very content though. So maybe just be happy with that?
I try to have a system of tasks and rewards. For example, If I clean the oven or weed the garden, say, then I will allow myself a slice of cake with my cup of tea. Etc.

Why should you be doing more? Do whatever makes you happy.

henetha I like your system of tasks and rewards. I have just cleaned the bathroom so will have a KitKat with my lunch.

I agree with henetha if you are content and happy to be a home bird - go for it. I also like the reward system - I seem to get mine confused!! Coffee and cake first, then I CBA to do much else.
Actually, I like a balance and go out several times a week and I’m forcing myself to do more walking. It’s the MetroCentre for me later and I’ll park in the far corner of the carpark. Hopefully cross the first item off the Christmas list, and get the DDs Yankee candle advent calendars.
I saw a recommendation on GN to take a morning walk if possible in these dark months - gets a decent dose of VitD.

I agree. Why oh why do we feel guilty if we’re happy at home doing things we enjoy?

The OP says she is content. Surely that’s really important as far as mental health is concerned?

I have friends who belong to so many groups and clubs they are out every day, sometimes only going home to grab a bite to eat before heading off out again. Just the thought of it makes me want to pull up the drawbridge.

I think I’ve reached a happy medium joining in activities two or three times a week as well as seeing my family but my rule now is never to participate in anything I have to talk myself in to.

I’m with the Home Girls! 😄😄

You lovely lovely people. Thank you sooooo much. I DO love being at home, so from what you've all said, will carry on, BUT will make a list beginning of each week to 'make' myself do things, - and reward myself when I do. You have all been so helpful, and fingers crossed, it'll work. THANK YOU. This is such a wonderful site.

Trisher123, I agree this is a lovely site, peps me up time and again. I'm all for rewards too

My Dad has vascular dementia and at his annual review we were told that getting out of the same four walls, mixing and interacting with people, is the best thing to keep him as well as we can for as long as possible.

I'm not saying that's the case with anyone here, but it may be something to think about?

V3ra We have a friend, never the most sociable of people, but blessed with a very social wife. Once he retired he retreated into a chair in the living room and read. he would take his wife anywhere, she did not drive, but he never did much or met people.

Early last year he was diagnosed with mild dementia at 75, His wife died suddenly from a stroke in July and within six months after that he deteriorated so fast that by Christmas he was in care. We have visited him, but he doesn't know us from Adam, yet we have been good friends for over 40 years and has no memory of his past life, so after talking to their daughter we go every few months and stay 10 minutes.

He was a highly intelligent computer academic, I cannot but feel that if only he had been more willing to interact with other people and had at least some activities outside of the home that he would neither have developed dementia so young , nor had it accelerate so fast.

I think it is far to easy to say 'Well, I have retired, hence forward I will just do as I like. You wouldn't say now I have retired I can eat what I like and live on nothing but jam doughnuts despite weight gain, and health problems. You need to look after your mental health as well as your physical health.

All that is needed is low key events that take you out of the house and interacting with other people once a week. When energy prices rocketed, our church opened a 'warm room' once a week. It now does lunches as well. It is well used and is relaxedly sociable, do an exercise class. I do Tai Chi and we then go out for a cup ot tea or coffee. Things like that are all thatnis needed.

Yes feeling comfy when in your 70,s is ok. I am 75yrs. play golf go for lunch afterwards, next day I walk with a group of friends who are very dear to me, coffee afterwards. Blitz the house one day a week, shopping the next with coffee afterwards. Meet up with friends another day. I enjoy gardening, reading and walking by myself and I am content as Larry. You must do your own thing ladies

I have to say I do a bit of volunteering and it gives me a bit of structure however it has become a little bit like the routine of going to work.
My freedom of just being at home suits me so well. I am not comfortable sitting watching tv or reading all the time as I’m quite a restless person. A bit of this and that, here and there.
So my motivation is never a problem.
Onset of depression maybe? Also for me the necessity of going for a dog walk doesn’t allow for sitting around either.

I think rjack has cracked it. A bit of everything and give the week a framework.

M0nica that's so sad for both of your friends 😕

The other thing we could all consider is having our hearing checked: apparently untreated hearing loss is another risk factor for dementia.
And of course it makes it harder to engage with other people, so it can be easier not to bother.
Again not saying that applies to anyone here, but it might be something to be aware of if a friend's behaviour changes.

On a personal note I reduced my working hours last year and now have from 9:30 to 2:30 to myself every day between school runs.
Some days I have no motivation and will slob on the sofa doing some paperwork watching A Place in the Sun, other days I'm like a whirlwind and the house doesn't know what's hit it!
One day during the week I do something with Dad.
The first time I went to the hairdresser's on a Thursday morning I felt like I was playing truant 🤣

I slobbed today waiting for a pre-arranged visit. Didn’t feel like starting any chores, in case she turns up. It’s past 5 so I doubt she’ll come - I hope she’ll ring and rearrange .

Maybe you could think about joining your local u3a as you might find an activity which would appeal to you enough to get you out of the house? My local u3a has over 30 different things going on. While it is nice to be relaxed at home, it is probably not very good for you. My other thing is to make a list daily, not weekly, as I enjoy crossing things off once they are done.

Why do you feel obliged to "do more"? If youve reached your 70s youve done your bit for the community so do what pleases you without a shred of guilt. Retirement is meant to be easy street.

oh I wish I could relax and be happy at home on my own with my cat.. (I am a good well past 80 year old) can you tell I hate saying how many physical years I have accumulated.

I am fortunate I can still drive , in my ancient car, just up to local church and shops,, without the car... I dread it... being stuck at home..

wonderful to be content..

It sounds as if you are getting low on vit D if you are not getting out walking - even in cloudy weather. Try a UV lamp in your bathroom and more outside activity. It doesn't need to be long, just wandering between shops is often enough.

Good luck!

I say “each to their own” now I’m in my 80’s. I’ve had a gym membership for many years now and at this ‘thankful’ time in my life I enjoy a regular routine of “off to the gym” for an hour first thing in the morning….followed by a stop off for coffee before driving home. I know I feel better both physically and mentally when I incorporate this type of routine into my life but I also recognize its not everyone’s idea of satisfaction and feeling content! To get to this age and still be able to enjoy our own particular lifestyle choices is what it’s all about!

I’m only 68, but quite happy on my own at home most days. I go out to a few groups each week, but love having Monday and Tuesday as my two “rest days”, when I can do whatever I want. (I tend to stay in at weekends, too many kids and dogs about!) If the weather is dry, I will always go for a wee walk. Sometimes I take the train or bus to another town. But often I just stay in, listen to the radio, read, watch old films. I find when I’m with other women I just get fed up with their witterings, think I’m happiest with my own company!

I am 82 now. Mum taught me not to waste my time. She always had knitting, crochet or sewing. I now cannot sit without knitting or sewing . It keepse from being bored
I also walk my dog and cook and bake. I am rarely without something to do.

It’s easy to look around and see what other people do and feel guilty/envious, but we’re all different. If we enjoy our own company that’s great. It’s if we feel bored or lonely that we need to get out and mingle. Nothing wrong with a bit of both.