If you are like me and beg for snow to make an appearance around Christmas time yet complain anytime you have to go outside or drive somewhere, you probably know how I’ve been feeling the last couple of weeks. I actually do love the snow but I hate being cold. So unless I am inside in the heat curled up with a good book while the snow is falling outside, I am unmotivated and pretty much useless. It is so so hard to be consistent during the winter months but I feel emotionally, physically, and mentally put together when I have a routine and am consistent. Believe me, I am the first to find any excuse to stay home all day, but I find that my motivation increases when I am more active, eating well, and making time for my health.
MOTIVATION could be made up, it could be nonexistent, it could be the reason you accomplish anything, it is still up for debate, but it all depends on how you view the word and what it means to you personally. In my experience, I think it is impossible to rely solely on the feeling of motivation because oftentimes it isn’t there, meaning you have to come up with some yourself. My motivation to go to the gym comes from knowing how much clearer and focused I will feel after the gym. My motivation to eat well 90% of the time comes from knowing I am fueling my body with nutritious foods but still honoring my cravings when I feel like it. My motivation to clean my apartment comes from knowing I can relax on the couch when I am done and admire the cleanliness and the feeling of accomplishment. You may notice the pattern with my motivation, how it is found within afterthoughts which means I don’t necessarily get that feeling of accomplishment right away. Everyone’s “WHY” looks different, so I encourage you to figure out what your “why” is and where your motivation comes from. Maybe even write it down somewhere visible so that when you are lacking that feeling, you can remember why you pretty much do anything in the first place. Remember, YOU are the only person getting in the way or your goals.
Creating habits can be a key component to following through with your routine and staying consistent in all aspects of your life. The great thing about habits is that they can be the smallest, almost unnoticeable adjustment in your daily life yet the impact that follows is huge.
For example, every morning when I wake up at 6am to start getting ready for work, I hop out of bed and go straight to the kitchen, no detours, for a glass of water. I know that sounds like a minuscule thing to do or a “habit” that you already have because you wake up thirsty. For me, I wanted to drink more water before I put any caffeine in my system, and so far I definitely feel more hydrated and I also noticed it’s been helping with bloating. Another habit I have been trying to form and one that seems almost impossible in this day in age, is to not look at my phone an hour after waking and an hour before I go to bed. I know I know, it sounds like I have emotional attachment issues from my phone but I think that is just the way that it is in society nowadays, glued to our phones. Anyways, social media is a whole other topic for another day, but what I am trying to say is that less screen time definitely decreases anxiety and increases positivity. I realized I do not want the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning and the last thing I see before falling asleep is a bright screen that honestly hurts my eyes, and is oftentimes filled with false information and highlight reels that can make me feel bad about myself. My mind goes 100 miles per hour when I am on social media or browsing the internet, but I have noticed I am much more relaxed when I use my phone minimally. I have time to stretch in the morning, take my time while getting ready, and pack my bag for the day whereas I would sometimes feel rushed in the past if I had spent too much time procrastinating on my phone.
I mentioned writing down your “why” can be helpful to stay on track and I think the same thing when trying to form habits. I just bought a new 2022 planner and it truly made me so happy because something about paper and planning out daily and weekly tasks brings me peace. Whether it’s a whiteboard, a scratch piece of paper, a note in your phone, or a sticky note, write down a few habits you want to work towards and even the steps you plan to take to get there. Having them somewhere visible as a reminder will be extremely helpful and keep you accountable, especially if they are somewhere that you will glance at every day to be reminded.
If you think writing out habits, your “why”, or what motivates you seems silly or not something you’re used to, think of all the lists that you do write out and why you write them. A grocery list isn’t useless because it’s helpful when you’re at the store and can’t remember if you need ketchup, just like a to-do list reminds you to pay bills and clean the kitchen. Writing down your goals is no different, it keeps you accountable and motivated whether it’s the smallest habit you want to start or a dream goal that you want to work towards.
