How can I regain my motivation to finish my studies? What's Troubling You? with Philippa Perry

Psychotherapist and agony aunt Philippa Perry responds to a woman who is unable to focus and complete the biggest project of her career.
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Philippa says we are all divided into our more motivated 'top dog' and our 'underdog' who undermines our plans - and we have to listen to both sides to move forward.
• If you have a problem you would like Philippa Perry to consider, leave a voicemail by calling her Guardian phone line on [phone]. By leaving a message you are consenting to your voicemail being used in the series. All callers will remain anonymous and we ask that you change any names mentioned so that no one can be identified. Please state if you would like the pitch of your voice to be altered. Philippa will respond to all problems via email, whether your voicemail is used in the series or not.
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[@mayarkadri2426]

I don't exactlty how to describe what am I feeling!! I feel like I'm empty inside, with no emotions or motivation. I'm inn my final class in high school, but I'm behaving differently from what I used to be! I know that I have to revise but I don't and instead I go watching drama!! That's meaningless! right!! but I don't know!! I feel like I have a big piece of ice inside of me!! I blame myself!! but even though I do it again!!!!!! I feel so weird!! and I feel like with 0 incentive to work!!That's why I wonder why am I like that!

[@rakshithamosur4575]

Hey U just described me in one paragraph.

[@worldofstories1792]

Wow ! That's how m feeling Right now........ What's happening ..... Why is that happing ..... I don't know anything.....

[@MelodicDinosaur]

I can hear from what you've written that you are/were trying so hard to push through but it just feels impossible and like you don't (or didn't) feel in control of it at all. I'm wondering if some counselling might be helpful. It can often feel like the big piece of ice you described when there's something we need to work through. This isn't your fault. In any case, I wish you and anyone else who identifies with this all the best, and know that you're not alone. There's often a lot of blame and shame flying around when it comes to losing motivation but there comes a point when willpower just won't cut it and sometimes what's needed is self-compassion.

[@joanmangubat7743]

Ify

[@elavarasi3489]

how can you describe myself in such a way

[@oscarvivar7041]

Wait, so everyone here has lost their motivation for something (more specifically education -- gaining a degree)?

[@light-lc8ud]

Not really , some of us like me are just a bit lazy and want to get that extra push to work harder

[@ulrek54321]

I have and I'm struggling

[@burntoutgradstudent7386]

Yup, even if you were once motivated and therefore push yourself to overcome things not working, sometimes your very own advisor looks out for their career interest over yours, so no longer feel you are working for your own advancement and improvement

[@Gaer56]

Failure. Repeated year multiple times. Loss of money and hope for a real future. So what if i get a degree if i can't find job? Will i have to get back to side jobs and become mud i despise?

[@GReyn]

​@@burntoutgradstudent7386this is me right now.. i was one of the most motivated students ever since elementary up until early years of college.. but somehow things went under.. Not just in terms of education.. even felt unmotivated to go out or play games or even just do my hobbies..

[@dinarkarani]

thank you! I have lost my motivation due to Covid-19 and this new normal. Time to rethink my research question.

[@MsDarkalina]

same i lost all my motivation to finish my masters

[@aethericsx]

Same 😭 I feel you to the heart... New normal really messed me up

[@diogogoncalves653]

Rephrase, how to gain strength to study when you're as depressed as humanly possible?

[@idilyaktubay4048]

same

[@spearmint4093]

felt like i wrote the email. i got the same problem. but i dont know how to rewrite my research question :( and teachers dont help with it

[@YoAddicts]

Yessss...I am almost like her. I have been in academic research for a while since I was in my early 20s.

[@TheMockAgenda]

Almost motivating...

[@chandrappachandra9383]

All know to hate to read books but. Love the knowledge book gives you

[@emt4921]

Lol I don't even have the motivation to watch this :(

[@madalinablaga2410]

I have 3 exams and another year to finish med school And It's just I can't make myself to sit down and actually study :(

[@nahed2000]

I was one of the toppers in college but suddenly I lost motivation in everything not just in studying… I lost motivation to live, I suddenly started hating my life and even myself I thought this will be a temporary period but it’s been more than 5 months. I even don’t know why I became like this……. Tell me what to do?

[@HasinaJahan-ig5wf]

I'm also going through this phase & don't know why, specially lost my interest in studies

[@spinebuster9490]

I disagree with the advice. *What she needs is to find the reasons why she started in the first place*

[@nathaniel77785]

yeah...that's true tho

[@monikap8777]

How would that help if she doesn't feel the same anymore?

[@divyatejayentrapragada2647]

Thank you

[@krutibhavsar9534]

Sometimes its just too much. Im writing a fourth dissertation of my academic career, currently for my third masters degree. It was my choice to do that but now I feel, I am stuck in the university and doing the same things again and again and again. Want to go for PhD but there are so many practicalities that we have to consider in today's world, one of the main of these is money. Now i want to pursue a PhD in my career at some point. I am already loosing the energy. I am struggling to complete my dissertation. And its not that I dont want it, but i feel too exhausted and sometimes bored....

[@HasinaJahan-ig5wf]

I'm also going through this phase & don't know why, specially lost my interest in studies

[@KarthikJohnBabu]

fantastic

[@johnzhang5114]

super super helpful

[@yueyinggong9344]

It has been so hard to.write

[@AndNowIJustSitInSilence]

that lady clearly hasn't done a PhD

[@mohammedahmed7126]

It smells like updog in here...

[@eldelarechorga]

Well, this video was a waste of time

[@tor4472]

This was nothing advice lol

[@tabbymoggy2325]

literally type "motivation to write thesis" :')

[@lieshanbernadit7672]

sameee!

[@aethericsx]

Same!

[@juliannaotusajo9630]

I was hoping to find the motivation to finish my summary of this article assignment I have to get done by Tuesday and my article response paper. Buuut oh well... on to the next video.

[@nontokozombatha9182]

🤣 As for "on to the next video". This is me right now 😩. I hope you eventually finished!

[@sozaburokano5485]

I don't know what should I feel. We have a lot of revisions to do in our thesis and im so tired of it, I just want to rest. I'm really tired but I want to graduate, I don't want to be a failure. I just want this problem vanished.

[@sercanleylek]

fantastic video! I actually decided to kill my underdog and lead with my top dog.

[@ulrek54321]

Basically, keep on procrastinating and doubting yourself and continue the circle...what a pointless video

[@xixiejhoas2636]

I have no motivation, I don't know if my master will help me get a better job, since I don't have any experience in that area..I do have working experience but not specifically in that area which related to the area I am studying at the moment..I am confused and scared..If I back out now, it looks as if I am taking things for granted..cuz my mom actually wish that I would take this course..but I personally, I don't even know if I want this..

[@jess01510]

Hello, I am not sure if I can help, I am a student myself, but it seems you're a lost soul as I was so, may be this could help or may be not. Consider taking some qualitity time for yourself where no one will disturb you for one hour and start asking questions concerning this problem and spontaneiouly write down whet ever awsner that comes to your mind. It dosen't have to make sense as long as it's the right thing to say for you. This mùight feel weird but I've been doing that whenever I felt lost, doubtful or uncertain and I always came up with a sort of awnser. It's alwsays about what you want, what other expect of you and what you expect of yourself. The awsner is within you. The reason of why you're scared and confused is within you. All you have to do is to find it and listen to it. And if you don't know, then ask yourself if you don't want to know or if it's impossible to have the awsner right now - in that case you shouldn't worry about it, it's not in your power. If you're not against spiritual things, try meditation, it help to get a clearer mind and make better decision according to yourself. I hope you'll find your way. I wish you good luck on your journey.

[@xixiejhoas2636]

@@jess01510 thank you so much. I appreciate it so much..

[@nomnom2763]

Hello I’m curious to know which path you choose cause I’m in the same position as you were 2 years ago.

[@hananebouslahi1433]

thaaaanks ma'am. it was awsome

[@leibniz4455]

I was the kind of guy that goes: STUDIES? RIGHT AFTER CLASS, OR SKIP LUNCH Now, I take sleep and take lunch.. I think there is something wrong with the school system or it is just me... Either way, I need to get that school medal no matter what

[@kwenchanasir3063]

My underdog is dominating me right now

[@procrastinartist2825]

i'm in my first year of phd and i am already losing the motivation, i clicked on this vid having no idea this would be directed to someone doing their phd, surprisingly it fit

[@mistree0007]

i love you .. whoever u r.. i jst cried

[@AnuragPradhan101]

+varsha 000 oh really ,, i was not affected at all ! :D

[@dose.of.happiness]

Same dp

[@boejiden.1445]

mistree 000 this was spiritual emotional for you too wasn't it

[@AdrianoGiovanni27]

literally type "motivation to write thesis"

[@boejiden.1445]

The 'Damn chariot' lol

[@melonoire]

Comments say no... bye I left a like for a simple thanks anyways

[@andre_santos2181]

2:05 - This is Plato :)

[@machoman1139]

Well this is an Indian philosophy. From mahabharata when krishna preached Arjuna

[@samiksha4524]

This is video I really needed. Thanks😌❤

[@michellevasquez8853]

Love it...thank you!

[@d-shiri]

Time well-wasted!