Surviving demotivation in higher education is a universal challenge, but when it comes to pursuing a law degree in the Philippines, the stakes are even higher. The aspiration to prefix your name with “Atty.” often comes with a hidden cost—a severe impact on your mental health. Contrary to what many may think, mental well-being isn’t a trivial matter; it’s as vital as physical health for your overall wellness.
Disclaimer: This post is deeply personal and may be lengthy. If you make it to the end, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. 💙
The Genesis of My Struggle: How it All Began
For the sake of brevity, I’ll keep this part concise. I would rather not consume too much of your time, but it’s essential to understand the backstory.
The Triggering Incident
During one of my classes, a professor made some disparaging remarks. I tried to shake them off, but they stuck with me, gnawing at my confidence and self-worth. This emotional turmoil wasn’t just a fleeting moment; it lasted for years.
I masked my pain with smiles, telling everyone—and myself—that I was okay. I kept saying, “Tomorrow is another day,” but the truth was, I was struggling to survive demotivation. My self-esteem plummeted, and I found myself crying at random hours, contemplating my life choices.
The Wake-Up Call
Eventually, I took an online test for anxiety and depression and was shocked to discover that I had high levels of both. This led me on a quest for answers and solutions, where I realized that healing is a personal journey that can’t be rushed.
The Road to Recovery: Present Day
Fortunately, I found solace and support in online communities like Mental Health Support Philippines and Mental Health Support Group by Kylie Versoza. These platforms have been instrumental in helping me cope and survive demotivation, as well as continue to live a more balanced life.
Navigating Anxiety, Depression, and How to Survive Demotivation
What Exactly is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a term that’s often misunderstood. It’s not just a fleeting feeling of nervousness; it can manifest as a full-blown disorder characterized by excessive uneasiness, apprehension, and even panic attacks or peculiar compulsive behaviors.
Defining Depression
Depression, too, is more than just a low mood. It’s a condition that affects your ability to function in daily life, often accompanied by feelings of worthlessness and a lack of interest in activities.
The Reality of Demotivation
Demotivation is another challenge that can severely impact your mental well-being. It’s not just a lack of willpower; it’s a complex issue that can be a symptom of underlying problems like anxiety and depression.
So, how do you survive demotivation and power through these challenges?
Strategies for Overcoming Anxiety, Depression, and Demotivation
Personal Coping Mechanisms
Healing is a personal journey, and it’s crucial to remember that everyone copes differently. Professional help is invaluable, but there are also self-help strategies that can aid in your recovery.
- Self-Evaluation: Take time to assess your emotional state regularly. Apps like Paralign can help you track your thoughts and feelings.
- Journaling: Keeping a journal can be therapeutic. It allows you to vent your emotions and can be a powerful tool to survive demotivation.
- Blogging and Social Engagement: Sharing your experiences through blogging can be cathartic and help you connect with others who are going through similar challenges.
Surround Yourself with a Supportive Network
- Find a Listening Ear: Sometimes all you need is someone who will listen without judgment. Whether it’s a friend or a family member, having a supportive network can be a lifeline when you’re trying to survive demotivation.
- Seek Professional Help: Therapists and counselors can provide expert advice and may prescribe medications to help manage symptoms.
- Family Time: Never underestimate the power of a loving family. Their belief in you can be the boost you need to lift your spirits and rebuild your self-esteem.
- Spiritual Support: Whether you’re religious or not, turning to a higher power can offer immense emotional relief. Prayer or meditation can provide a sense of peace and purpose.
Surviving demotivation, especially when coupled with anxiety and depression, is a journey. It’s a battle that you don’t have to fight alone. With the right strategies and support, you can navigate through these challenges and come out stronger on the other side.
Overcoming the Hurdle: How to Power Through and Survive Demotivation
In 2018, I made a conscious decision to prioritize self-love and self-belief. It may sound overly optimistic, but that year felt like a turning point for me. I realized that putting myself first wasn’t selfish; it was necessary for my well-being.
Even with this newfound optimism, there were moments when I felt drained and empty, despite achieving some significant milestones. But it was also during this time that I felt genuinely happy and free, unburdened by judgments—even if my handwriting wasn’t the prettiest in town.
Steps to Survive Demotivation and Reclaim Your Drive
- Believe in Yourself: The first step to survive demotivation is to believe in your capabilities. Make a list of all the things you aspire to achieve. This list will serve as your roadmap for the future.
- Surround Yourself with Like-minded People: It’s crucial to be around people who share your aspirations and goals. Their presence can serve as a constant motivator, encouraging you to continue your journey.
- Embrace Failures: Don’t be disheartened if you stumble along the way. Failures are life’s greatest teachers, making you bolder, stronger, and wiser for the challenges ahead.
- Track Your Progress: Keep a record of your achievements, no matter how small. This will help you gauge how far you’ve come and what steps you need to take to move forward.
- Inspirational Reminders: Place motivational quotes or affirmations around your workspace or as wallpapers on your gadgets. These daily reminders can help you survive demotivation and inspire you to be better.
- Reflect on Your Journey: Take some time to look back at your journal and the progress you’ve made. It’s a testament to your resilience and a reminder that things will get better.
- Be Grateful: Always thank the Higher Power for the blessings and opportunities that come your way. In moments of struggle, find comfort in spiritual or meditative practices.
What Lies Ahead?
As you start to regain your motivation, you’ll find that life begins to look a lot brighter. Traffic jams and poor mobile signals will seem like minor inconveniences rather than insurmountable obstacles.
Your list of aspirations will gradually get shorter as you start ticking off your goals. But remember, life isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. The journey is what truly counts.
I hope this post helps you in your quest to survive demotivation. Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. 💙
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I’m actually going thru the same situation right now but it’s more like I’m not in the mood to do things I need to do. Like, the hustle and bustle is getting me and I just somehow want to take a rest from all of it. Though I think my situation is a bit lighter compared to people going thru anxiety/depression. To be honest, my boyfriend got diagnosed with anxiety and depression just last year, I felt sad upon hearing the news but all I can do is support him, be there for him and pray he gets better. It will be better for us all.
It’s definitely not easy to go through demotivation that is a direct result of anxiety and depression. I remember when I was in uni, at the first class in the amphitheater, the dean told us that if we are there to write stories, we should go to the uni next door. And that was very harsh, because I wanted to become a journalist because I liked to write stories. But the real demotivation came after my grandmother died. I was still in uni doing my masters and I was so depressed that I simply stopped going to classes and don’t care about anything. Luckily I had friends who didn’t let me give up, who were there and stood by me and helped me go back to school and finish it.
A weird phase of life that only a few can fight out. I have been through this twice in my life. The first time,I didn’t even know a term to this,but the second time, I knew just how to get out of there with a lot of struggle. But I’m not sure if you’re ever 100% out of it,but ya, one might just be hopeful and happy with life 🙂
I think I [may] have depression since my teen years, but I’ve never gone to a professional to talk about it. I have so far been more or less okay, except for a few times I went down the rabbit hole and nearly didn’t come back. Having someone to talk to in that unfiltered way indeed helps; I can never thank my guy enough for being there for me especially during my lowest of low days. I would have been truly lost without him.
Thanks for sharing those groups btw, I joined one (pending Admin approval). 🙂
Things like these need professional help. Not to mention, a good family foundation helps because they are your basis of first hand support. I sometimes become demotivated but I somehow manage to get back on my feet.
Some people can really be mean and say words that wound others.
I agree with you that surrounding yourself with people who love you, affirm you and who are positive would be helpful. Writing also helps. It’s a form of therapy. Doing art activities is also therapeutic. Lastly, we should help educate people that seeking professional help is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it is a wise decision and act to do so.
Oh gosh, I had the same thing and the same situation. It was also with a professor who told me that I was lying and said mean words to me. I know for myself that I am with the good and the right. Because of that I lost my part time work.. I am a student assistant then. I feel that I was bullied just by telling the truth. For me, time and my mindset helped me cope with the situation. I knew in myself that I am telling the truth. Also, aibseek help with family and friends and their power words helped me a lot.
How well you have presented this complex state of mind! I do believe it is possible to heal provided there should be will power to tackle it. Doing other mental activities and remain focused on them can be difficult but definitely achievable. A helpful partner helps a lot during these stressful days.
I remember my young self in you. I keep a journal, too where I scribble my unfiltered thoughts. It was kinda therapeutic. I was able to clear our my mind. I would like to do that again, only that I find it hard to even squeeze it on my time. I feel so buy with five boys to look after.
Anyway, i will always remember that life is indeed not a race. often, i would want to do everything asap. that makes me feel demotivated somehow.
I love how you blogged about this: sharing how to win over demotivation, anxiety, and depression, plus also sharing your own personal experiences will definitely be of huge help to people struggling with those problems. I, myself, is currently having a hard time with demotivation. It’s really hard for me because I am already in my last year of college, but as time flies I become more demotivated. This post of yours is very helpful, and you are very inspiring. Please continue to do this! Much love x
I get in tough mood from time to time as well. I would not call it depression but demotivation is probably the best way to describe it. It is really hard to deal with anything when you lose your self-esteem. I usually cope with it by escaping to nature but keeping a journal might be a nice try too.
“Words cut deeper than knives. A knife can be pulled out, words are embedded into our souls.” ― William Chapman.I, myself, had let an opinion of someone destroy my belief in myself for years. Actually, at some point I still think about that, but, I said to myself, I shouldn’t let anyone’s opinion to be my reality. I’ve re-gain my confidence by opening up to my closest friends. And not rush things, I know I’m capable of being better than myself yesterday.