Autistic Inertia: Why YOU Are Unmotivated (MUST SEE)

Autistic Inertia impacts so many autistic people here is why it happens! Download my FREE Autism Life Hacks Book: www.autismtips.net/
Did you know about Autistic Inertia? It is such an issue that impacts the lives of many autistic people that it almost becomes debilitating.
There are many traits that come up for Autistic Inertia including:
issues with transitions when starting and stopping tasks
Not being aware of time
Issues planning to start tasks
Not Feeling Motivated
Feeling Stuck
This impacts the ability of an autistic person to feel like they can self advocate and take care of them selves. It imposes a negative mental health state into the persons mind and creates a lack of motivation.
Do you get this? I’d love to know your thoughts on Autistic Inertia, please leave a comment.
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[@ThePurplesquish]

Definitely want to see a video on ways to overcome inertia. It's the bane of my life. Soo annoying when I've so many things to do and no inclination to start any of them.

[@TheAspieWorld]

Ok!! On it x

[@suewilkinson5855]

Looking forward to this. Now that I know I very likely have both autism and ADHD, its time to learn how to cope with it.

[@03markimark]

This is probably my biggest single obstacle in life as an autistic person. It’s like EVERYTHING is too difficult, too hard, can’t do it. Paralysis.

[@marilynwilkins1684]

I spend large parts of my day STUCK. Glad to have come upon your take on this phenomenon. It's all true. I wake up motivated and then find myself glued to the couch thinking about what I could be doing and doing none of it.

[@crystalhays6576]

Yep...stuck, stuck is a perfect description for me. I often find myself standing in front of my tasks literally frozen, zoned out.

[@williamjessewalteriv3326]

Sux , sooo bad.. I hate myself for it.. trying to socialize is impossible most of the time and it ruins my life.

[@TheAspieWorld]

Don’t have on yourself ❤️

[@Bethsabee_Sheba_Newrose]

Please don’t hate yourself for it; it’s not your fault. 💖 I understand, of course, how much easier said than done that is.

[@andyvandenbossche3414]

This is why I have many unfinished things and projects

[@TheAspieWorld]

Yahhh

[@aliencrashedbyaccidenthelp2110]

THAT’S ME ! THAT’S ME ! I HAVE SO MANY DRAWINGS AND PROJECTS I WANNA DO AND IMPROVE MY ART BUT THEN I JUST COMPLETELY LOSE MOTIVATION AND WILL TO DO SO !

[@dianainthezone]

Pathological Demand Avoidance Understanding it's my nature to avoid any demands with a PTSD response of fight, flight, or freeze up, including demands I make of myself "I need to take care of this", has helped me alter my behavior somewhat. I now reframe it into "Do I want to do A or B now?" Not working 100% of the time yet but better than before.

[@ZeonGenesis]

Same! Before I even knew about demand avoidance, I realized that I framed everything I had to do as 'shoulds' and 'musts', and that I reacted by putting down the breaks immediately. I'd wrack my brain over why the hell I suddenly couldn't do something anymore after I had been doing it no problem for so long and realized it was because I put that YOU HAVE TO!! expectation on myself, very likely followed with "why can't you just", "why do you have to be so difficult", "it's not that hard", and then a bunch of frustration and dread. Reframing it as "what do I want to do" and doing everything in my power to neutralize 'shoulds' whenever I detect them definitely help! Though sometimes they are insanely hard to get rid of, because when you've had demand avoidance and inertia all your life, you build up intense levels of anxiety about getting something done, and so you may end up with even stronger inner voices of GO GET IT DONE, GODDAMNIT! and thus you push the breaks even harder as a response. So it takes time to develop that inner trust. I've noticed it helps catching the voice that's whipping me by asking if it's helpful, does it achieve its goal, and when it realizes it doesn't, it finally backs off. Not necessarily for long or always, so you gotta detect it again, then have the same conversation, and train this over and over again. And of course, reframing "I have to" with "I want to" is key to letting go of those breaks. Hopefully this way we can break through the sound barrier completely one day xD.

[@TheAspieWorld]

Thank you so much for the comment!

[@3Kefka6Palazzo9]

Thank you Dan! I have severe CPTSD and adult autism with a horrible family and at 40 I finally recognize who I am and confronted the neutotypical psychiatrist and psychologist I have and BOTH admitted I AM........They said they didn't want to tell me because their was no 'cure' as if I need a cure instead of half the effort I put twice out over to make myself understand them.......when their effort is so little they could never comprehend, the mental energy we use, to placate them in their abuse........of us

[@cassettetape7643]

That's so horrible. I'm glad you found out & I hope you're doing better. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people think keeping others ignorant is somehow protecting them. Like I know it's coming from a "good place", but it's not just not helpful; it can be downright dangerous for the ones being kept in the dark. It's never okay

[@DeborahWaltenburg]

I don't have any kind of diagnosis, but I can totally relate to this, which results in depression, frustration, anger, and feeling completely stuck. At the overripe age of 55, it's just gotten really old, and I'd love to hear solutions, so I can stop with the self deprecation and just move forward

[@FRODOGOOFBALL]

This is me. I spend way too much time trying to plan things out, getting myself motivated, "unstuck", past my Avoidant Personality Disorder, etc. Anyway great video, love the new style, etc.

[@TheAspieWorld]

Wow not heard of that! Thank you so much for the comment!

[@murielbilly4296]

That's me! Exactly like you describe. Getting worse and worse for a couple of weeks. Exhaustion, culpability, depression, and, well, nothing 's got done at the end of the day😢.

[@ehukai2003]

I definitely need that video for overcoming inertia. I took a desk job (bank call center) and it helps while I’m at work to get things done there. BUT my personal non-work goals to get one of my many side hustle ideas going, like making music for brands/sync licensing for example, it’s so hard to do. And as for that idea: I LOVE MAKING MUSIC WTH?! I could really use that video for overcoming inertia and executive function disorder. Another one for demand avoidance would be great too 😭

[@TheAspieWorld]

On it! Thank you so much for the comment!

[@ehukai2003]

@@TheAspieWorld no, thank YOU!

[@akiradarktailslifeofatherian]

I recently had this happen to me unfortunately. I moved from textiles to photography in my college because of this. How my brain works is that, if something isn't to do with any special interests or if it's something that I want to do but can't due to me overthinking it, I freeze up and stop. And it ends up like my brain and body are having an argument: Me: I really want to do thi- Brain: No. Me: But it's important- Brain: Nope.

[@jesterr7133]

Inertia sucks. Small engine repair is one of my special interests. I was reviving a lawnmower that had not run in years for a friend of mine. I had it nearly finished, before making a stupid mistake that made it necessary to dismantle the entire mower to fix. The engine has been sitting in my kitchen floor for nearly a year. I just cannot motivate myself to do it, even though it would just take an hour or two to finish. I have problems like that all the time, and it gets very annoying sometimes.

[@canuckviewer1]

I can relate. There are so many things that should be done, but they sound so mandane and boring. If I try to think of everything that needs to be done, it becomes overwhelming and I experience a brain freeze, similar to what happens when your computer freeze. I've thought of no more than three items on a list, but have never tried it. Now I will.

[@kaleestables1544]

This is me, I've been quite unmotivated for quite some time & would love love love to see a video about how to overcome these issues.....also I'm an undiagnosed Autistic female...😶 Trying my best to get a diagnosis to be able to finally get the extra help & support that I need.....It's incredibly hard for me to get the motivation to keep going.....I really really really enjoy your videos because they help me quite a lot. 😊

[@wendyheaton1439]

I really appreciated this style of video particularly the shorter intro. You also come across to me as more believable as struggling with these things because it wasn't edited. Thank you for being more relatable...

[@TheAspieWorld]

Glad you enjoyed it!🥹 Thank you so much for the comment!

[@Dillenger.69]

I have pretty bad executive dysfunction. That's what I've heard this inertia referred to

[@kellyschroeder7437]

Oh boy. Cannot believe how life long this has been for me …..

[@TheAspieWorld]

Until it’s pointed out you feel like you have motivational issues

[@kellyschroeder7437]

@@TheAspieWorld And it’s been super hard realizing this upon becoming disabled physically (won’t tmi) along w ASD dx. It’s hard to rest and recover when you feel you should be doing something. When I was working it was easy to get up and go …..

[@Bethsabee_Sheba_Newrose]

@@kellyschroeder7437 I hear you so loud and clear, and I’m so sorry.

[@markmccurley2643]

That's me for sure. My life is a tragic tale of unfinished projects.

[@IamTheDarkness420]

As I lie in bed scrolling, lacking motivation.

[@TheAspieWorld]

I hear ya

[@autisticautumn7379]

It ruins my life I wish I could hack this .Would really like an in depth video about this .

[@fionadhu5137]

I am ADHD, PTSD, OCD and social anxiety. Procrastinating is just part of my day. Then I will start something and lose a day, or obsess over it. I like the term inertia instead of Procrastinating.

[@RetepElpmet]

Definitely me. I get the dopamine hit getting something accomplished. Until OCD hits, and I end up redoing the task again, even though it was done perfectly. I have to tell myself that I don't need to do it again. Maybe works for a day or two, maybe only an hour, and then I'm redoing the task. And I get the dopamine hit. Vicious cycle. Reminders on my phone sometimes help though, that tell me that I don't need to redo the task.

[@Hyphonz]

The one long take was definitely a lot more relatable than a hyper edited video, defo makes some of us feel less alone in it

[@MalandrosNyclo]

I exhaust all my energy working a tech support job where I have to rely on my medication to be able to focus to do it. Every day I am so exhausted after work. I can't pursue any of my dreams. I am always cycling between expending all my energy at work and recovering enough to work the next day.

[@jennifervice1138]

I feel seen and slightly embarrassed, lol.

[@suewilkinson5855]

Me, too.

[@Bethsabee_Sheba_Newrose]

This is me. The thing that’s frustrating me most right now is trying to finish my writings. I should be a prolific writer by now but nooooo, The Brain Operator isn’t allowing that (or can’t, depending on my self-love). To complicate my neurodivergence I have severe c-PTSD and horrific fibromyalgia, both of which cause brain fog.

[@ZeonGenesis]

Ugh, I feel you so much! I also beat myself up so much about all the time I wasted because all I did was push the breaks or anxiously avoid doing what I wanted to do. I wanna be a writer, too!

[@TheAspieWorld]

Here is the squad!

[@Bethsabee_Sheba_Newrose]

Yes! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[@katarinatill4713]

Showering! Difficult for me to stopp, seriously! 😮

[@SarahS-su3sc]

When my kids were little and I was a stay-at-home Mom/ sometimes homeschool teacher, I tried to model for them that life was easier when you live by "the next day starts the night before." I would tell them honestly I hate schedules, but I need them (as did my kids who I knew were ASD but didn't see it in me LOL). I also have the issue of feeling like I can do whatever stream of conscious list flows out of my pen. To curb that, I put a time stamp on things that mattered (e.g. bus stop, dentist appointment, etc.) and fill in things that fit timewise and flowed logically. If life happened as it does, I would circle something I had to skip to not miss the important things, write in whatever I did that wasn't on the list just to get to check it off , and let the skipped thing go until later or a different day. This kept me motivated to do the next thing because I could look at just say an hour at a time. It also kept me from burning out from overbooking (hello all-or-none). It made their mornings more peaceful because homework was done AND put in backpack, notes were signed, outfits picked out, shoes located, etc. Hope this helps someone. I came to this video because I am stuck between having just gotten over COVID, and not being able to get back to a project I want to finish.

[@heatherchappell2517]

This is painfully me 😩 Inertia overwelm, exhaustion, repeat.

[@-R-H-]

I have so many empty journals and none that are more than a few pages in. Planning is the only thing I can do for hours.

[@sally-annllewellynartist9362]

I thought it was just me being a complete failure of a human being 💔

[@Mintaka.]

Is this the same like PDA? It is the worst feeling, it ruins so much😢. I think having both is just pure evilness. Especially ADHypooooD. NOTHING works without time pressure / forcing myself.

[@TheAspieWorld]

Is not directly PDA however it could be part of it

[@dianainthezone]

I reframe it into a choice instead of demands and keep it at just two options. The demand avoidance is strong for many on the spectrum from autistic inertia to full on PDA Pathological Demand Avoidance

[@Bethsabee_Sheba_Newrose]

@@dianainthezone That’s a great way to frame it.

[@JT1358]

Oh my.... the box-ticking thing... that's me!!

[@sittingaloneinvip]

i def have this. i set myself up for failure by having WAY too many things on my to do list bc i get overly ambitious and then i get overwhelmed and don't even start.... therefore further procrastinating. ugh.

[@sayingthisaboutthat1046]

Great video. DO it again and again. Thank you for helping me understand myself.

[@TheAspieWorld]

Any time! Thank you so much for the comment!

[@jenniferhenderson2715]

This is me. It is too much, and I just shut down, or I can't move on from whatever I am doing in the moment. I have all these plans and things I want to do, and suddenly the whole day is gone and all I have completed was some Spanish lessons.

[@freqgirl]

THAT'S ME!

[@TheAspieWorld]

There is my squad!

[@covert_warrior]

It won't let me comment but yes.... me absolutely ​@TheAspieWorld

[@johannajuutilainen4779]

I would really want to see a video about overcoming inertia, I think it is common for many other mental conditions aswell.

[@BelieverInChristJesus4ever]

Exactly!!! But I've only been diagnosed with adhd

[@connievasquez7971]

That’s me and my grandson💕💞

[@TheAspieWorld]

Yesbb

[@nikneumann9170]

Yep....procrastination - a serious problem for me, too❗🙄

[@leonerose1715]

This is the first time I 100% agree this fits me the most! ❤❤❤

[@kg6801]

I get no dopamine hit from ticking something off a list or finishing a task, it doesn't even feel better

[@bexpressions_]

That’s me! I struggle with this SO much!

[@TheAspieWorld]

Right!? Thank you so much for the comment!

[@elizabethsullivan7176]

Yep, you are completely talking about me. There are so many things that I need to do, but I just can't find the energy to do them. Getting up from the couch is the hardest thing for me to do, and I hate it. I also have hypothyroidism which takes even more of my energy away. It's another reason why I wish I had been diagnosed earlier, before I got to the point that I'm at now. I definitely need some ideas on how to get "unstuck"

[@christastein2258]

This is so me!! My AuDHD is both a superpower and my biggest foible.

[@pierre3215]

That's me I have SO many projects that aren't moving as fast as I want because of this...

[@PARADOXsquared]

Yes i would love a break down on how to not get stuck anymore

[@user-nt7eh3xw6e]

Presente.. oggi ho passato tu il giorno così 😮

[@SE-zd1wc]

Hi! From Sweden I can relate to this.Keep up the good work Dan🙂😃👍

[@Caedus9001]

Oh god, the thing or the sandwich...I go too many days not eating because I just can't find a place to disengage from the task at hand.

[@REBEKAHJOHNSON-lh6xh]

Yeah, I think this is a big part of what I struggle with. Sheesh. Good to have a name for it!!

[@DJWilsonShaw]

Hi pal. You sir, are a tease! ;P I implore you to release the next video explaining how to overcome inertia. And maybe how inertia and depression/anhedonia all interact and influence each other?

[@pvtbattles8327]

Why do you sound like me! My entire life, I have struggled to live life. I have struggled with "bipolar, ADD, and ADHD." But found out I have had dyslexia, and possibly autism my whole life.

[@kellyschroeder7437]

Big time !!!! 💙💞👊👊🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@TheAspieWorld]

Yup!

[@katynosework]

I don’t wanna do the task because I make it more detailed than it needs to be. And when something goes wrong, my temper comes alive. For example, I cleaned the oven, it was on my list to do cuz it was setting off the smoke detector. Done, did a good job, but smoke detector goes off anyway cuz grease dripped in my clean oven. Back to square one.

[@CKlegion7272]

Well I'll be damned, I asked you about this some months ago and though you say you read/react to every comment I noticed nothing until now. This is why I commented when you told about those apps to help and remind. That's all nice but doesn't work with autistic inertia. And it's more than more not being motivated, it's knowing what and when and how to do but being simply unable to do it. Just getting completely stuck. I'm not addicted to fast-food or anything you mentioned. I'll be honest as always, a lot of your tips might help you but they do nothing for me. Ow right, I'm 51, diagnosed Asperger's 11 years ago and raise my son (16) alone for the last 8 years. I know what I'm talking about. When inertia hits no reminders and no iPad will get me to do anything. I can be happy when I get to do the minimum for son which makes me feel like I'm dieing inside. There you go, another reason for the mortality rate. Keep going. I'm curious to what kinda solutions you might have. Greetings from Netherland

[@saturn7771]

Absolutely do all one take . It’s refreshing to see exactly what I do!

[@mikewillie5902]

Yes I definitely have inertia going on!!!! Thanks bro! Looking forward to your videos.

[@miguelitos]

Thats Me. Great vid, thanks for posting this. Learning so much about myself since diagnosis, it seems endless.

[@mollycoburn866]

Ditto DITTO thank you Dan! Relate totally 😅 Your rhythm of speech perfect for me- like the 1 take vid. 😊 👍 How do I overcome?! Dopamine ill try to tick a task...

[@lisaschneer1398]

Love the video. Excited to see the step by step follow up

[@andrewshaw3373]

This is exactly me. Totally understand

[@MattCM89]

What is the difference between analysis paralysis and autistic inertia?

[@Mamaofchaos2]

Really struggling with managing this and taking care of a family I get stuck in this state for weeks at a time thanks for the video Dan.

[@user-ul9er3ef4c]

You are great! Keep up the excellent work! 🙂

[@tigerfish-av]

You just described my whole life!

[@melanielafrance6779]

This really help!

[@Tobnosh]

so its like go left and right but you can only go one or the other so you just stand there, it all did made sense and sounded familiar as i have always hard time to make a choice or do somthing if it is to many things i want, and from earlier vid on dopamine hunger or hunt like suger is to spot on as a cup of hot choclate just as fast as it is drinkable its gone, somthimes it is like two types of soules if one is in command its okay if they fight then there is none to use the body so it goes to idle or standby

[@TheAspieWorld]

Thank you so much for the comment!

[@bk3720]

Unedited videos are fine by me, maybe there will be a funny blooper we can all relate to and have an internal laugh.

[@kalabarnes4839]

This info is so true…..Thank you for sharing

[@Username9445]

You just summed my whole life up in this video 😅

[@Alex-dp3kg]

I like the single take a lot, thank you

[@viktornoren4324]

Most relatable video I've ever watched on KZbin.

[@lesliekarl3594]

I totally relate and would love to hear what helps you! I thoroughly enjoy ticking things off lists so much that I will often add the things I just did, but forgot to write down, just so I can tick it off haha! It's the little joys in life right?!

[@melissaneugebauer113]

Thanks for the info. I just requested the ebook and enrolled In the course. I’m hoping for help with my autistic teen son 💚

[@amandafullwood9517]

Planning to plan. Yes that’s me lol.

[@ehukai2003]

😩 THAT’S ME… without the journals

[@TheAspieWorld]

I hear ya!! X

[@pikmin4743]

yea you got me

[@jesterr7133]

That's definitely me

[@SuzD0n]

Currently watching this video whilst failing to start my college homework. Hey, I made three pot noodles, though!

[@thepenguinofspace9291]

Thats me that's me that's me that's me

[@tbriceland]

THAT'S ME!!!

[@TheAspieWorld]

Squad!

[@Dizzychick_MN]

That's me!!

[@thetickedoffpianoplayer4193]

Have you got any strategies for this? It's a pain in my posterior. I call it my brain going on strike.

[@karenmartin387]

That’s me!

[@TheAspieWorld]

Hero

[@TheQuietpanda]

If I didn't have this them I would of been uploading more but idk if its mental health stuf to

[@TheAspieWorld]

Interesting!

[@TheQuietpanda]

@@TheAspieWorld btw I need some advice. So people kept on not being nice to me in school cus I'm 'differant' so I tried masking it and it breaking me I really need to stop but if I go back then I'll get bullied more and more. It's getting really hard to keep going 😞 any advice or tips?

[@crystalhays6576]

This is me!

[@deborahseaman8470]

😂❤Me! ME!🏳🤣🤣🥴 I have so many things to do and I can't do one!

[@TheAspieWorld]

Haha🎉😂

[@philipcable437]

This is me. I have brought all the parts I need to put my 1969 VW beetle I've even brought parts I may not need. I'm now buying a new car cover.....yeah The wall of awful

[@jeannefochessati8014]

Please!!! How does one overcome this???

[@fatimahaz-zahra9276]

❤yeaj tick off the to do list and its like🎉🎉🎉im a winner😂😊❤ so i know how it feels😊

[@birgittnlilli9726]

And I thought that is just me, thinking things to death and never actually doing them and then hating me for being lazy O.o

[@Gnomezonbacon]

Newton's laws. Once you start moving you tend to keep going until stopped.

[@jeannefochessati8014]

That's me! 😅

[@brendastewart3908]

This is my son to a T. How do I help him work past/with this?

[@user-pv6sn8es5x]

This is me yes

[@TheAspieWorld]

Hero

[@stephenjambor425]

Please make that video i would love my partner to watch it may help