Finding Motivation

Are you dragging your feet every day? Do you find it challenging to make yourself presentable for work? Are you unmotivated, not up to cleaning, socializing, or even doing the things you love? This is one way some may be experiencing grief. It affects us all differently, but finding motivation can be another “mountain” in grief. Here are some tips to help you out during this time.

Finding Motivation with Routine

While it might seem obvious or redundant, routine might be the answer to being unmotivated. When we experience a lack of motivation, or in other people’s eyes, “laziness,” this can inhibit our routine and schedules. We start to avoid things that need to get done and sit around in our pajamas. Taking time to relax is important, but if we are consistently unmotivated to do anything, there is more going on within ourselves that we should pay attention to. That’s why finding a routine or restarting a routine is beneficial. This helps us wake up in time for work, get tasks done, complete that checklist, and increase our self-worth and confidence. On the other hand, there are other fun ways you can motivate yourself, and that starts with hobbies.

Finding Motivation with Hobbies

When you aren’t motivated to do anything, your hobbies might sound like something you don’t want to do. While this might be more of an issue in depression, it could be happening to you as well. Remember, grief is different for all of us. What you should do to overcome a lack of motivation is the things you love. Reading, sewing, painting, riding, woodworking, scrapbooking, photography, writing, fishing, whatever it may be, get back to it. You have hobbies because they give you joy. They can bring a smile to your face and peace. They are what people know you as, and can define your awesome personality! Take this as your sign to enjoy your hobbies again. You are uniquely you.

More Ways for Finding Motivation

Hobbies and routines aren’t solely the way to motivate yourself. There are other simple ways. You don’t have to make it complicated. Simplicity is the answer to difficult times. Here are further ways to find motivation:

• Go take a shower. Sometimes self-care is what you need to get yourself back on your feet. A warm shower can refresh your mind and wash away negativity that is holding you back.
• Challenge yourself. If you need to complete a task, try positive reinforcement with food. Per every task completed, treat yourself to one M&M, for example. As silly as this sounds, it does work for some people! You could try other avenues like listening to a song you love after each completed task.
• Exercise. Okay, we get that it might be the last thing you want to hear, but exercising daily is great for your body (physically and emotionally). This doesn’t have to be an extravagant run or lifting weights, it could be simply a walk. Rather, it could be a walk around your bedroom, a few laps!
• Spirituality. There are different ways you can spiritually motivate yourself. It can be a simple breathing exercise, where you breathe in/out for a few seconds, and tell yourself to get a task done afterwards. If you’re Christian, it could be a few minutes of prayer, shutting your eyes, and asking God to help you get motivated.

You can count on us for support

You don’t have to do this alone. If you are still struggling and finding your grief is an increasing black hole, you have us. We have free grief support services to help. These entail grief groups, grief webinars and events, and Zoom meetings. Contact us about which is the best fit for you.