Hi everyone,
Welcome to the Forum’s new topic!
This week’s topic is “motivation”.
Motivation is something we often discuss when it comes to trying to make changes in our lives. Motivation is that want to act in a way that helps us reach our goals. Sometimes motivation can come from external sources such as other people (being around motivated people can rub off on us), but motivation also comes from inside ourselves and us wanting to better our lives. You may notice both in your own recovery journey.
Yet, some days it can feel like we have no motivation at all to do the things we know are in our better interests. So how do we create motivation? We understand that motivation can be created by action/by us doing something. Psychology Today gives us an example, “Sometimes you might feel completely unmotivated and that’s ok. In that situation, allow yourself to feel the discomfort, hear the negative self-talk, and then take action anyway, For example, let’s say you come home after a long day at work and just want to unwind and watch TV. Instead of turning the TV on, acknowledge that you’re tired and then challenge yourself to read five pages of the book on your nightstand first. This approach gives space for negative thoughts and feelings, while helping you change ingrained patterns.”
For the rest of this article, please see: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/motivation
So, what are your thoughts?
How has “motivation” been a part of your journey?
How do you maintain or increase your motivation?
What advice would you give your younger self or others about this?
We would love to hear your reflections below!
*Looking for more motivation? We run Monday Motivation chatrooms every week at 7pm and would love to see you there!*
All the best,
Lulu
Online Peer Support Team
Hi Lulu,
Nice thoughts......
I on the other hand like to do the opposite of your suggestion this time of year.... i feel that self care is important this time of year.... Its dark its cold its miserable and i feel the same.
I live on my own..... I work hard each day then when i come home i feel miserable mostly and tired.....
So my friend said once just go with it.
So i spent that week after work tucked up in bed resting and recharging for the next day......It really helped.
So now thru the winter months i get back from work and have a nap....then eat then rest up in bed.
On the flip side in the summer i do the opposite.....i sit in the garden every evening....go for walks every evening.....exercise... get a tan......and sleep a lot less.....going to be at midnight as its so nice and light until late.
I feel that if i got back from work tired and wanted to rest forcing myself to read a book would go against the grain.
On the flipside if you are allways in bed and not working and tired then thats a different matter pushing yhourself towards exercise and chores will deof help.
All the best Adam xxx
Motivation is a vital force in our lives, driving us towards our goals and guiding us through challenges. It fluctuates, sometimes abundant and other times elusive, but it remains pivotal in our journey of growth and self-improvement. Personally, I've found that while motivation often precedes action, sometimes it's the act of taking small steps despite feeling unmotivated that sparks the drive to keep going. Setting clear and achievable goals, surrounding oneself with supportive communities, and practicing self-compassion are strategies that have helped me maintain and increase motivation over time.
If I could offer advice to my younger self or others facing motivational hurdles, it would be to embrace self-compassion and understand that off days are natural. Rather than dwelling on feelings of guilt or frustration, gentle encouragement and small actions can gradually reignite motivation. Additionally, finding intrinsic sources of motivation rooted in personal values and aligning actions with them can provide a sustainable foundation for staying driven. Ultimately, by nurturing motivation and recognizing its ebbs and flows, we can continue to propel ourselves forward on our journey of growth and fulfillment.
Motivation is a vital force in our lives, driving us towards our goals and guiding us through challenges. It fluctuates, sometimes abundant and other times elusive, but it remains pivotal in our journey of growth and self-improvement. Personally, I've found that while motivation often precedes action, sometimes it's the act of taking small steps despite feeling unmotivated that sparks the drive to keep going. Setting clear and achievable goals, surrounding oneself with supportive communities, and practicing self-compassion are strategies that have helped me maintain and increase motivation over time.
If I could offer advice to my younger self or others facing motivational hurdles, it would be to embrace self-compassion and understand that off days are natural. Rather than dwelling on feelings of guilt or frustration, gentle encouragement and small actions can gradually reignite motivation. Additionally, finding intrinsic sources of motivation rooted in personal values and aligning actions with them can provide a sustainable foundation for staying driven. Ultimately, by nurturing motivation and recognizing its ebbs and flows, we can continue to propel ourselves forward on our journey of growth and fulfillment.
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