Exhausted. Overwhelmed. Lacking motivation to even roll out of bed tomorrow for yet again another day. Feeling uninspired? I can relate to you as I’ve felt this way several times in my life and am currently experiencing this feeling all over again in a new season of life here in Boston.
Nothing is inherently wrong. I have a place to live, a job, friends, overall a good life. A life where I shouldn’t really complain. I’m not depressed. I’m not suicidal (have to address it since somebody will take it this way). I just lack some serious motivation in life right now. Life doesn’t look like what I thought it would look like at this point. Feels like another year has gone by, but nothing has really changed. I’m not sure if it’s possible to have a mid-life crisis at 25, but it feels like I’ve had at least 10 to date.
I’m looking for a passion. A trade or hobby where I’ll feel fired up to roll out of bed every morning and get ready for another day to get closer to where I want to be. Not just feel like I hear the infamous blaring beeps in the morning from my alarm clock, begrudgingly roll out of bed, turn the shower on, try to wake up, get ready, go to work, eat and sleep and repeat. It starts to become a bore. It starts to feel like I live the same life every single day, cycling through the same exact thing every day that I did yesterday and only continue to do today. Where is the variety? Where is the motivation? Is this going to be life forever? Will this cycle ever seem to break?
So in the effort to encourage myself as well as anybody reading this (hello out there!!) I’ve compiled a list of 5 ways to motivate yourself to keep waking up and enjoying every single day even when it seems repetitive and you might not be in a season where you are experiencing a lot of breakthrough. Because the truth is, YOU CAN DO IT. You and me both. Even on our toughest days, we can learn to not only make the best of them but also learn to see the good in each day no matter what’s thrown our way.
Even on our toughest days, we can learn to not only make the best of them but also learn to see the good in each day no matter what’s thrown our way.
1. Give yourself time to breathe
This is so key. We’re all running on 24 hours a day, and some days feel like you have no time for yourself. I don’t care who you are or what needs to be done. Stop those thoughts!!! No matter how difficult of a day, you deserve time to relax and recharge. Whether that means going out with friends or fueling up by yourself on the couch watching Netflix. You deserve it. Seriously. Don’t feel guilty about it, because we all need time for R&R. It’s not wasted time if you’re a happier, healthier and more recharged individual after it.
2. Write out 10 Good Things Happening in Your Life Right Now
There’s no limit here– write out whatever you want these things to be!! Meeting a new friend, getting to play tennis or your favorite sport, having an upcoming trip planned. Write out the things that make you smile and incredibly happy!
3. Focus on Your Goals and the Long Term.
Remember the Big picture here for your life to re-focus. They say that life is lived in the journey so make sure that you understand where you want to go from here, how where you are at right now helps you get to where you want to go, and make sure that you realize this current circumstance is not forever. Wherever you are that is causing you to feel unhappy or discouraged, just know it’s a stop but not a destination.
4. Watch something inspirational
an inspirational youtube video, movie, etc. Sounds super cheesy, I know. But sometimes you just need a good pump up locker room talk. It may not cause your situation to change, but it will change how you internally see your situation and give you the confidence and courage to start taking ground on ways to overcome the circumstance at hand or create the change you’re wanting to see.
5. Volunteer
I know that this might seem irrelevant in this list of ways to motivate or encourage yourself, but I swear this one will be a game-changer. Not only will you help other people out by volunteering your time, but you’ll also feel great about doing it. Not to mention, we often gain so much perspective when we remember that there are other people out there on this planet other than ourselves. You start to realize just how much you have and all of the things that you take for granted that not everybody is blessed with.
