Dealing With Low Motivation
The reality of living life when you really don't want to
It’s the last quarter of the year. For some, it’s the motivation they need to go full steam ahead with their goals and their dreams. For others, the harkening of the end of the year simply isn’t enough to get their car going in order to finish 2022 strong.
Amidst the rising cost of living, the proliferation of mental health concerns, the impact of loneliness, and the pressure of keeping up with a busy, hectic schedule - it’s easy to feel like an empty vessel. We look at Youtube videos and read fancy articles on success and consistency, without considering what happens when you just can’t be bothered?
I’ve had many a day like this. I may have vision and desire to be the woman I identify with - fit, strong, ambitious, articulate, courageous. However, my motivation can fluctuate considerably given my environment and the issues I am dealing with at a given time period. There have been days that I wake up and make the longest sigh of my life, because it feels as though I have the weight of my life on my shoulders yet again.
If that sounds like something which resonates with you, fear not. This is, in fact, normal. What’s most important is having a sound strategy to tackle the real threat of low motivation when it strikes.
Key Summary (TL/DR):
Be compassionate towards yourself
Improve your eating habits and get some exercise
Build some ‘fun-time’ into your life
Seek professional help
Be compassionate towards yourself
Be compassionate towards yourself. Low motivation can spring up when we prioritise our goals and desires at the expense of our welfare. When your mind, body and soul is tired, it doesn’t matter what lofty ambition you have. Your body will tell you it has nothing left to give, and motivation leaves you, physically and emotionally, like a water-filled balloon with a hole in it.
Being compassionate towards yourself involves practically giving yourself the space, time and opportunity to rest and recharge. It might look like taking an extra rest day from the gym when you realise that you’ve been experiencing far too many aches and pains in a week. It might look like spending some time alone in the confines of your bedroom whilst you cry your eyes out, because you need it. It might look like simply taking yourself out for a nice meal, because you can’t remember the last time you splurged on yourself - especially as you prioritised your financial goals.
Show yourself some compassion - life is hard, and maybe what you need to do before drumming up your motivation, is some much-needed self-kindness.
Improve your eating habits and get some exercise
I am no food and exercise police, but speaking from my own experience - food and exercise can really dramatically impact your motivation. During some of my own depressing episodes, I found that it was so easy to consume highly processed foods and remain sedentary. But I also found that this did nothing more than fan the flames of depression.
It was when I became a regular gym goer, upped my water intake and largely focused on consuming whole foods, that I noticed a dramatic shift in my general wellbeing and happiness. Suddenly, I experienced endorphins, had greater clarity, and generally improved my mood. If you find yourself suffering with low motivation, try examining what you do with your body, and what nutrition you are prioritising. You’d be surprised by the extent to which you are affected by such simple factors.
Build some ‘fun-time’ into your life
Have some fun, for goodness’ sake! Life doesn’t need to be all doom and gloom all the time. Sure, you’re focusing on some really impactful or highly ambitious goals. But you’re preventing yourself from fully enjoying the full spectrum of what life has to offer when you don’t spend some time doing ‘fun’ things.
Go out with your friends Go out on dates. Watch movies. Go on a holiday. Buy yourself some ice cream. Personally, my fun time is baking on Saturday or Sunday evenings. I find it incredibly relaxing, and it also becomes something to look forward to over the course of the week. I also schedule in bi-monthly catch ups with friends in person, so I can really revel in their presence. Life isn’t all about working towards dreary and hard goals. Sometimes, motivation can be garnered simply by creating fun experiences to look forward to.
Seek professional help
When your motivation remains low for a couple of weeks, it may be time to seek professional help. Beyond exploring a clinical diagnosis, engaging with professionals can also give you further, more detailed insight into your behaviour and psychology. For some people, helpful tips and reminders are not enough. We face real, concerning and traumatic events that can cause the kind of damage that require highly specialised support. That’s okay - what’s important is that you don’t feel awkward, embarrassed or ashamed to reach out.
To this end, if you don’t already see a therapist or counsellor, now might be the time to consider at least a consultation.
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That’s all from me this week folks. As ever, if you found this useful, feel free to share Optimise Me with a friend.
Let’s all become better humans.
-RK
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