4d ago

Why do I lose "drive, motivation" during outdoor activities once we take breaks?

I noticed this with almost every outdoor activity I do.

While I love diving and snorkeling, but after the first dive/ snorkel back to boat I can't wait to get back in but I don't want to get wet, put on masks, fins etc.

We were canoeing and while I could go 15-20 miles in a single session I hate getting out of the canoe and getting it out of the water, getting dry, eating and then just the though of getting back into a canoe is exhausting.

I noticed this with climbing as well. Thats why I just prefer to boulder if i ever go climb.

If I had two scuba dives in a row without having to go back to boat I'd enjoy it way more. But these breaks in the middle of the day are so exhausting for me.

Is this normal? Everytime I go on trips nobody has this problem.

But once I am set up and back in I'm fine. It's just this phase during breaks where I think I am actually fine and could go home now. One reason why I just prefer to power through 6-8 hours and then eat a huge dinner.

3 comments

Most likely you are more focused on the parts you dislike when you take the break than the positives, since you have already experienced them, even if it is subconsciously. Kind of like in your mind you have already done the thing, and the break feels like an end point, so there is no need to start over doing the thing.
You don't get the feeling as long as you keep going because you haven't hit an end point.
I have ADHD and this is not an uncommon feeling for me. When stuff sucks to do I can often power through it fine, but stopping and restarting is extremely difficult to do. When stuff is fun, but exhausting, then it is a very similar feeling to dreading something I don't want to do.
In my case canoeing and other fun outdoor physical activities don't trigger this because the fun outweighs the negatives so I can resume whatever I'm doing. Yard work that is only somewhat fun, hikes without an overall end goal, and other tiring activities can trigger it pretty easily.
Not saying you are neurodivergent, just that the pattern of feeling like you are already done with a thing if you take a break is relatable.
Sounds familiar. It's the "get going" part, once I'm actually doing it I'm fine, but the thought of getting set up... Meh.
The human brain doesn't like change. That is true regarding the big things, but also the small things. Changing anything requires effort, and this effort can feel very different depending on you mindset that day, that moment. I find myself quite often wanting to do "thing", but not wanting to do all the stuff I have to do before. I want to be under the shower, but I don't want to take off my clothes, get wet, etc. Kind of like the dog in this little comic, who wants you to throw the ball, but not take it away from him. 😄
I can only get myself through this with (loving) self-discipline - telling myself, come on, you know it's going to be good once you're at it. I also try to make the hurdles I have to jump over as small as possible. Maybe that's an option for you as well? Maybe you don't have to take off all your gear or get completely out of the water, canoe etc.