11 Ways to Get Motivated

Sometimes it can be hard to get motivated.

Do you ever just feel you’re in a funk? Like this mood that overcomes you of not wanting to do anything productive.

Sometimes you can find the source of your unmotivated feelings, but sometimes you just can’t. I’ve got 11 ways that might help you get out of your funk.

Disclaimer: These are just my thoughts from experience, and if this feels serious, I’d suggest seeking medical advice instead. Learn about mental health here.

1. Go on a Walk

Okay, I completely understand if you’re someone who doesn’t like the sound of a walk.

I mean on the surface it sounds boring, unproductive, and not enough exercise if you really want adrenaline. But over time, I’ve learned there’s so much more to walks.

I mean if you’re on a walk by yourself, there’s really not much to do but listen to your thoughts (and perhaps your music). That sometimes gives time to reflect, be grateful, move on, or process stuff needed to clear your subconscious.

Plus, as minuscule as it seems, walks are a form of exercise, and exercise is usually a mood booster (at least by the end). That leads me to the next idea…

2. Exercise

Okay, you’ve probably heard this one, and I admit, exercise is obvious. But sometimes exercise ends up feeling like a chore for some. It can also be the thing you are trying to become productive in. In all these cases, perhaps try this…

Try something new.

Maybe it’s the fact that there’s too much repetition, not enough variation, or likewise, that makes movement seem obligatory. Instead try a new/fun exercise, if needed. Some ideas are rock climbing, boxing, and snorkeling.

The unfortunate thing is having access to some of these is a privilege.

But the overlying message is something you can carry across your accessible resources.

Let’s say you have a gym membership, then set a goal to try a new machine every time. Or if you do school sports, join a new sport you’ve never tried, and maybe always seemed interesting.

Exercise can give you the adrenaline you need to get abck on track, the stress release to focus again, and the productivity momentum to get motivated.

3. Use Your Nights

Too many times, we find ourselves lying on the couch watching TV at night. While there may not be anything wrong with that, and in fact, is a quite soothing way to end a night, using your nights is a tactic that has helped me get out of funks.

Even if you’re tired, there are many changes you can make to occasionally switch up your routine:

• watch the sunset
• go to the movie theatre
• go out to dinner
• beach/park walk
• play board games
• baking night
• do a combination: ex. cook a nice meal followed by a walk on the beach

See, it doesn’t even need to be something big, just something else.

And if you really need to watch something, you can always do it when you get back. As some might say, the TV isn’t going anywhere.

There are various reasons this can feel so great:

• change in night activity
• feels like a longer/more active day
• utilizing a time you’d usually let slip away

4. Meet with Old Friends

The people we surround ourselves with have a big impact on our day-to-day mood. Maybe getting together with new (ish) people is the key to releasing the funk.

Meeting with old friends not only allows for fun reminiscing but also doesn’t require the effort of meeting completely new people.

Ensuring you surround yourself with positive people is important, as is having strong relationships.

You can even make it more fun…

5. Throw a party/get together

Being a host can be such a gratifying experience. You can see others have a happy experience by your doing.

Of course, you also get to have fun and enjoy it with others. Since you’re throwing the party, you can decide on activites and amenities that are exciting to you.

If you’re into organizing and planning, throwing a party is a fun way to exercise that. Then, it may boost a continuation of those productive habits and get you motivated.

6. Cook a Meal

Maybe you like to cook, maybe you don’t. Either way, cooking a healthy delicious meal for yourself (or others too) can end up feeling like a great little accomplishment and a different activity.

Cooking is not only cheaper, but because you need to eat anyway, cooking is of course productive. That means, you’ll feel like you did something, and that can get your productive momentum going.

Or try these delicious recipes

• Black Bean Burger Salad (gf+vo)
• 3 Easy & Healthy Desserts – Nut Butter Edition

7. Give to Others

I know one of my favorite parts of Christmas is gift-giving. Seeing that you made someone else happy is sometimes such a mood lifter – and it available beyond the holiday times.

Of course, if you cannot afford gift-giving, simply do a bunch of day-to-day good deeds.

These can be as simple as:

• giving compliments
• giving a smile
• letting someone into your lane
• saying thank you
• making amends
• opting out of the negative: gossip, etc.

8. Pamper Yourself

Spa days in my book are very open–ended.

For one, clearly not the whole day. And two, not to only be associated with females getting their nails done.

No, a spa day, is just time set aside to make yourself look/feel clean, relaxed, and/or put together – to pamper yourself.

And, yes, doing this is productive, because it’s important for both your physical and mental health.

This can be done in multiple ways:

• getting a massage (or using that massage machine that lies around)
• hair removal
• showering/bathing
• face masks & skincare
• nail care
• setting the scene: candles, tea, etc.

9. Organize/Declutter

This is something you may not notice helps until it happens.

If my space is dirty and messy, there are times I don’t have the will to clean up. But after the time comes when I do clean it, I feel I can be more productive and have a cleared mind.

It can be one of those things that keep us busy subconsciously and too anxious to actually get stuff done.

I’ll say one thing, I have never regretted cleaning something up, especially in the space where I get stuff done.

Things that may need organizing/decluttering: your…

• closet
• pantry
• fridge
• drawers/nightstand
• shoe rack
• backpack/purse/wallet
• car
• photos
• computer folders/bookmarks
• spotify/playlists

10. Do Something Creative

Sometimes getting your creative juices flowing is just what a person needs. It can be as simple as drawing a picture or something different like writing a story.

Here’s a list of creative endeavors you can pursue (even short-term):

• painting
• writing (poems, short stories, music)
• dancing
• filming (or making a video with current footage/pictures)
• photography (even with a phone)
• diy (make something you’ve wanted for a while yourself)
• cooking (yes, this has already been mentioned – it’s that good)

11. Get it All Out

There are times we just cannot feel better until everything is just cleared out of our minds.

Wheather you subconsciously feel overwhelmed or frustrated, letting your thoughts live somewhere other than just your head can make you feel much better.

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