I struggled with a topic to write about this week and realized I had one right under the tip of my nose; one that probably a lot of mom’s struggle with as well – being unmotivated. This entire week I have lacked enthusiasm about much of anything. It’s frustrating, because I have to appear to have enthusiasm, that’s part of my job as a mom – to be the cheerleader, but what happens when mom is the one needing the little ‘umph’ she so often gives others?
Wondering if you might be part of the ‘unmotivated’ club this week too?
- Are you tired or feeling exhausted?
- Is there some event going on in your life that is distracting you?
- Do you lack interest in something?
- Does your mind feel somewhat foggy?
I think everyone can be unmotivated at various times in their lives, but the big point to take into consideration is realizing how often you fall into being unmotivated. If it is quite often, you may want to look into other medical reasons why it seems to occur more frequently, you could be struggling with some depression, which unfortunately I am intimately familiar with too.
I can often link my lack of desire to do much of anything to the other symptoms of depression I experience, but sometimes I cannot. That seems to be the pattern this week.
So as I step back and try to find some resolve to my situation I thought I would share some of the things that I will be doing and taking a look at to help put that ‘spring’ back into my step!
Tired
If you are physically tired or exhausted – Get some sleep! This is the most common issue that mom’s experience and try to fight off. We somehow determine we can function like supermom on only a few hours of sleep. Take the time to pamper yourself and find a few minutes to take a nap, sit and enjoy your favorite TV show – yes, even while the kids are on the sofa right beside you! You know, an hour of crummy TV here and there isn’t going to kill them, but a crabby and worn out mom will!
Strife
If you are having issues in your personal life, you will need to resolve those as soon as you can or else your focus will continue to be clouded. Have a disagreement with your spouse that is left unresolved, take the time to wrap it up. Perhaps you and a friend have had some differences lately that have meant you are not talking as much. Can you find the time to clear the air?
Free Your Mind
Get your to-do list out of your head – writing down all of the tasks you need to do or would like to accomplish is one way that helps me feel like I am getting a fresh start. Even though I am a great list making, often times I let things pile up inside my head and it begins to really weigh me down.
Go somewhere, anywhere
Don’t allow yourself to be trapped in the house. After you’ve taken in a few of those ‘favorite TV shows’ I mentioned earlier, get up and get out. There are plenty of places that you can go to get some fresh air and change up your afternoon: bookstore, mall, the park, the beach, library, a walk in the neighborhood. Sometimes just getting out will reset my mind and motivation.
Break Out of Routine
Not everything that you do will interest you and be fun – so true for moms! A lot of our duties managing our homes is rather mundane, there is no other way to put it. Doing laundry will not be a great highlight any day of the week, so try approaching it differently. Do things in a different order, put on some music, or find a different time of day. I realize having a routine is a good thing, I love routine, but sometimes it is helpful to break out of it.
Small Bites
How would you eat an elephant (if you had to)? One bite at a time! When you are looking at large tasks or a seemingly too long ‘to-do’ list, start breaking it down into small bites. By putting it into manageable pieces you will be more effective, more successful and your motivation will build.
Give Yourself Grace
The last thing is to just give yourself grace, plain and simple. It is okay to have a down day; a day where you just tend to you a little more than tend to everyone else.
Feeling unmotivated may not be something you can fix immediately, but by being aware and giving yourself grace you can be a lot kinder to yourself and prevent a lot of guilt that can tend to be carried around on our shoulders as moms. It is okay to lower your expectations and just hold steady.
