This is something I've noticed in the past few months. I've always prided myself on getting things done and finished. Now, I find I've gone the opposite way. I can't finish anything. I have books that are read only in part, and for whatever reason I stopped. I can't seem to finish anything around the house unless I really push myself. I can't get motivated about things and have a very short attention span. This is so unlike me. I am asking you ladies out there if this is part of peri and/or menopause, because I don't know if it's a personality problem I've developed or it is related to the changes. I am 53 and in peri.

Hi Cyber,

I think this is peri-related. I went through the same thing and am just now getting back to my old self. I have started reading again after not doing so for about 3 years. Also the things like cooking, cleaning, shopping etc. just didn't seem important to me anymore. There are so many physical and emotional symptoms we experience during this time, but it really does get better. I am living proof. Hang in there.

BH

I am not sure if this is peri related or if we have just reached a point in our lives we are just tired of doing certain things. I for one am very tired of my job and I am tired of cooking, cleaning, washing, working and the list goes on and on. I am just tired of it. So, if I do not want to cook, I just don't. I used to pride myself in being able to work circles around everyone else and now I just could not give a flip.

That is just my opinion.

Shakin'

OH MY GOODNESS!!! Would you PLEASE stop reading my diary!!!!

It's OK, really, you can read my diary all you want!! Seriously!!


bev

Yes, I have definitely noticed that I have a huge procrastination problem. Lately I have begun to suspect that the culprit might be the AD's I'm on (zoloft and trazodone); I am currently experimenting with dose reduction. From my experiences of the past 6 years or so, I have learned that I need some support with my tendency toward depression. Zoloft has helped a lot, but to me it is not a perfect solution. So that's why I'm tinkering with the dose (with my dr.'s supervision of course....).

So far I've reduced doses by about half, and am doing well. I'm not quite as bad at procrastinating as I was. But I'm nowhere near how I think I should be. Actually, might that attitude be part of the problem?? I sometimes wonder if I'm trying to push myself too hard, expecting too much of myself for this time of my life. BUT, on the other hand, I feel like I'm otherwise in excellent health and have many years of life ahead. When my kids were small and took up all of "me" all of the time, I used to look forward to these years now, the free time I would have. Well...here is the free time. Why can't I get myself to do all the cool things I promised myself I would do?

I can recognize only too well what you are all describing--the lack of motivation about things I used to just DO without having to have a "fight" with myself about it. I sure would like to be how I remember being in years past--just doing what needed to be done, on projects or around the house, without having to bribe myself with huge breaks of TV or whatever. What the heck has happened to me? I never expected to become like this...

Very glad you posted, BH! Maybe there's light at the end of the apathy tunnel...

OK. I've been "busy" posting--time for a nap, lol.

Lavender

I think it's peri related, too. I've always been full of energy and very motivated to take on and finish projects. But during the past 3 or 4 years, (I'm 47 now) when my peri symptoms became noticeable, I also noticed that I lost a lot of interest in finishing things that I started.

I've also become less sociable, being content to stay at home alone rather than going out with friends. This last part is due to a sharp increase in anxiety. I've always been a nervous sort of person, but the peri has blown that thru the roof, and it's just another of the many symptoms that I've been trying to adjust to...

add me in this one too... i think it's that i really just don't care about stuff like i once did.. my motto has become 'don't do today what can be put off till tomorrow' - things will wait for me. i'm 54, still not post, wondering if one day this will change, or whether i have just relaxed into 'old age' already... i really related to the half read books, i once was an avid reader, and altho i still buy them, i don't spend as much time reading as i do playing silly computer games and meandering around the internet..

I am suffering from the same problem and am in Peri. I never had this problem before. I am now trying to study for a specialty certification for my job. It is very deep and I find it so boring. I cannot concentrate. I can only read about 2-3 pages a day. Most of the time I just don't give a darn. I never used to be like this. I earned my Masters degree over 6 years studying on my own at home, while working one full time job and running my business part time. I hate not caring.

I am suffering from the same problem and am in Peri. I never had this problem before. I am now trying to study for a specialty certification for my job. It is very deep and I find it so boring. I cannot concentrate. I can only read about 2-3 pages a day. Most of the time I just don't give a darn. I never used to be like this. I earned my Masters degree over 6 years studying on my own at home, while working one full time job and running my business part time. I hate not caring.

Bigheart, I am SO glad you said that!! Reading!! I have not been able to read anything in I don't know how long. Cannot even tell you why, I just know that I can't. I can read a few short sentences, and THAT'S IT!! It's like my brain cannot process the information.

bev

Unbelievable - I have the same thing. I was always so proud of the amount of stuff I could do in one day! Now I have to push myself to finish one thing. If I have library books to return (which of course I never got around to reading) I hold them in my arms and head for the car but then a little voice says "I really don't feel like doing this. I can return them tomorrow when I take my daughter to Tae Kwon Do," and promptly plop them dowm on the table and get busy doing something else that I won't finsih.
We are all in this together!
daisy

PS - I am 49 and in Peri
daisy

I believe I'm starting to like this peri stuff--don't have to do anything that I don't want to do--and can blame it on someone else, cause it sure ain't me.

I have been complaining about this for several years! At first I thought it was from being physically tired after years of insomnia - one of my most enduring peri-symptoms. Then I blamed it on being anemic. Once the anemia was taken care of and I got on medication to sleep I thought I would get back to normal again... but it didn't happen. I "feel" better, less exhausted, more healthy...while I'm sitting in a chair...but it didn't take long to figure out this wasn't tiredness but more an apathy, a lack of internal motivation, and/or maybe just pure laziness. I lost all interest in doing my hobbies & crafts, keeping my home looking perfect, and running around like a "superwoman" in general. I rarely leave the house unless I have to (for work, meetings, etc) as it takes more effort than I feel like giving. I do still have to keep up on the housework but it takes me all week to accomplish what I should be able to do in a day or two. I've given myself lots of stern talks but it seems to just fall on deaf ears. I do notice a bit of improvement when I make myself exercise daily, it's like the more I push myself, the more I feel like doing, but I have even fallen off that bandwagon lately there too. I'm 51, been 17 months without a period and started BHRT 3 months ago...I am hoping to see a significant difference some day soon.

Hi everyone! I don't really seem to have the problem of not doing the stuff around the house like I always have, but this is my problem with procrastination-I put off calling or going to the doctor because I'm always so scared that there might be something really wrong with me. I have been having all the aches and pains we're all familiar with, but I think if I go to the doctor, it'll turn out to be something serious. I'm afraid to know. Does this sound familiar or make sense to you gals?

Ladies, thank you for your input. The statements that hit it on the head are apathy, just don't give a darn, can't concentrate....etc. I have always been busy even though I didn't raise children. I threw myself into my work, house, friends, social life and hobbies. Now I am sitting here trying to figure out what went wrong. My husband travels a lot so it's me and the 2 cats. I complain about lonliness, yet can't pick up the phone or am afraid if I make a social date I won't be in the mood when the time comes. My bed has been my salvation and sleep. When I'm home I want to be in work and when I'm at work I want to be home. I have dozens of books not even half read. I breeze through parts and get bored and buy another book. Is this nuts or what? I used to read for hours on end. I have a hard time focusing on anything for long. Someone mentioned they like computer games and surfing. I do too. Yet, I will get my favorite game going and play a few rounds and get bored. Then I go to my virtual jigsaw puzzle site and half finish that. Then I come here, then I look at what's on TV or watch a movie rental. I'm all over the place and nothing satisfies. Today is one of the 10 best days of the year weather wise. I would normally be sitting out sunning myself in the yard but I'm finding excuses not to do that. I fed the birds and don't want to disburb them with the lawn chair, is that nuts or what???? I forced myself to get the laundry going and take a shower. Everything feels like it is a super big task. I can't get interested in anything for any length of time. I cleaned out the refrigerator and have hardly any food, so I told myself I'll order take out tonight and go shopping tomorrow. I have said I will go shopping since a few days ago. I have no energy or motivation. I'm on Ad's, double what I usually take so it's not that. Someone wrote maybe I've just settled into old age. Well I'm hoping that's not the case with me because I have a way to go yet. My mother in law is in her early 70's and runs rings around me. Where does she get the energy? Maybe it changes when you are past meno???? I have no idea. I'm relieved to see it's not just me but also sad that this may be the way it is for awhile. Then I feel how ungrateful I am and go off on a guilty kick. I have so much to be grateful for, why am I wallowing in this? Why can't I pull myself out? Dear friends of PS thank you so much for your comments.

I was thinking about adding my 2 cents, but I am too apathetic....LOL

You're missing the obvious. Are you on the computer a lot? How much time have you spent cruising this forum? You have the world at your fingertips. Use it wisely. Or not so wisely- just have fun. Read books online. Educate yourself. Whatever you want, it's on the internet (lock up your charge card, I'm talking about reading, interacting, having fun- NOT shopping).

What about video games? I'm a gamer, especially the Elder Scrolls Oblivion on the PC. You can spend hour upon hour doing nothing but gaming or surfing the internet. That's a start. Keep a glass of water next to the computer and drink small sips constantly to keep hydrated. Get up and stretch after a while. I don't want to hear about "I'm too old for this". Nuts to that- I'm having fun!

Eventually, you'll snap out of it and go back to what you used to do. For now, this should help bridge the gap.