When your mood is good, you’re more likely to do things than if your mood is neutral or low.

Although this may seem obvious, it isn’t easy to notice in the moment. Humans are not designed to assess their own mood states, which are usually only evident in retrospect.

When tasks and activities on your agenda are weighing on you, the feeling of “should” bubbles up in the form of anxiety or guilt, which leads to avoidance of thought and action. Even if you “want” to get started, feeling down or just “blah” is an invisible but real obstacle.

On the flip side, tackling tasks and stepping out is relatively easy when mood is even just a little better than OK. For those of us with ADHD, mood can make or break our best intentions.

Optimism arises from positive vibes, the essence of confidence. When you feel like things will go well, you do those things. When you’re pessimistic, doubtful your effort will yield a satisfactory result, initiation yields to inertia.

When you don’t feel like doing anything, try not to beat yourself up. Take a step back and be open to the possibility that you’re just “not feeling it.” Then take the extra step of saying (or thinking) “And that’s OK.”

I am of the opinion that you can’t force optimism, but being aware of and accepting your mood can bring an invisible obstacle to light.