Motivation, or Lack There of

We are all victim to it. Everyone lacks motivation from time to time, it's utterly inevitable. Especially with the winter months, productivity seems to always decline during the colder parts of the year. Thus, why I feel motivated, yes finally, to write this as I find it super important to remember how to get back to productivity.

Social media from my personal experience can be both very motivating, yet equally the complete opposite. Instead of doing the tasks I should be I often find myself pointlessly scrolling, even when I'm watching Netflix on my laptop, I'll have my phone in the other hand on Instagram, and that's what scares me, my constant need to be entertained.

However, in times when I deeply lack motivation I turn to Pinterest and Youtube in order to get me back on my game. Those specific platforms are where I find myself actually wanting to start doing all the things I told myself I would as I start search through images, guides, and recipes from Pinterest and Youtube. This leads to my first tip...

1. Stop pointlessly scrolling and start scrolling with intention.

What I mean by this is instead of staring at what's going on in everyone else's life, start using these platforms to better yours. Search for healthy recipes, workout/stretching routines, even lists of healthy habits to form that can spark inspiration for your own personal lists. I find Pinterest to be the most inspirational for me and eventually once I have pinned literally half the entire world on my 100+ boards, I'm start to feel like I can actually put effort into action.

2. Write lists, for anything, always.

This tip is probably the most important towards ensuring I have a productive hour, day, or week. You will constantly find me writing lists whether that be on my phone or physically on paper. I write lists of all of the tasks I want to accomplish for the day, all of my homework assignments, my grocery list, places I want to check out, books I want to read, literally anything and everything I will write a list for it. I feel as though once you take the time to actually write down or type up your intentions it makes you one step closer to actually achieving them. Plus, nothing feels better than crossing items off of your list, even if what you crossed off was something you already did prior to making the list, that hack reiterates the fact that you have already had some productivity in your day.

3. Incorporate what makes you happy into your task list.

One of my favorite things to do is explore different parts of the city. So, when I have a task that involves me to go somewhere I make sure to check the location and see if there are any spots near my task that I have been on my list (lol see) and make the extra trip after finishing my task. This allows me to spend time doing something I had been wanting to do previously all the while accomplishing something else at hand that I had to do. This is even applicable to small goals such as reading more. For example, the other day I really wanted to make some time to read more of my book, it was so lovely outside that I decided to accomplish my reading by walking over to the Highline and reading in a location that assured I got some fresh air but that was also right next to my favorite coffee shop. Other examples could have to do with wanting to check out new cafes or spaces so go and bring your laptop to get some work done. It's all about enjoying and experiencing the things you have been wanting to do while still staying on top of your shit.

4. Look good, feel good.

Wake up those few extra minutes early. Put on an outfit that makes you feel confident. Eat what will make your body happy. Put on a face mask when you're doing your homework. Taking care of yourself is so important and truly needs to be prioritized. When you're feeling good and looking good there becomes a sense of invincibility, a reminder that you can achieve anything you want to.

3. Remember that staying motivated is hard. It is okay to have off days.

Motivation comes and goes. When everything is too much it's okay to take a day off and do nothing. In a way, those days are very essential for setting you up for a more productive following day after you have gotten a full 24hrs of relaxation.

Just remember that we're all human and that all you can do is keep putting your best foot forward. Cheers to a more productive hour/day/week, start with knowing that you can!