Sunday, April 19, 2020

Motivation


Boy is this a loaded word.  The dictionary definition for motivation is:  the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way, or the general desire or willingness of someone to do something.  I’ve always had a little trouble with getting my energy going to get things accomplished but usually once I get started, I’m good.  However, since all this isolation and staying home has been going on for over a month now I have developed a new fear.  I may be turning into a sloth.  Sloth definition:  a slow-moving tropical mammal that hangs upside down from the branches of trees.  Wait, not that sloth definition but this one:  having a reluctance to work or make an effort; laziness.  Yep, that one. 




Is it just me or does anyone else feel the same way?  I always have plenty to do and I’m never bored.  There are many household “jobs” I need to do each day such as laundry, cleaning and cooking.  I am getting most of those done but only because they are necessary to living.  I do like to have clean clothes to wear and it is nice to have meals once in a while.  But I have an unending list of other things I would like to get accomplished and it’s just not happening.  I mean this is the perfect time to clear out excess clutter in the house or to work on one of many hobbies I have, but I’m not doing it.  Oh sure, I’m doing a few things such as reading or watching an occasional TV show.  I’m just not getting anything done off my list of things I need and want to accomplish.  At the end of the day I like to be able to say I got something completed other than a few of the necessities of life. 

This blog is a perfect example of my lack of motivation.  I started this the first of the year and made the decision I wanted to enjoy it and not push myself.  I knew I would never post every day, but I thought even I could post once a week.  I have managed to post once a week – barely.  Of course, I never expected a world pandemic and all the crazy changes to our lives to hit us three months into the new year.  I suppose when you consider all the changes we have dealt with in our lives recently we could be forgiven for an occasional lack of motivation.  Still, I am hoping I will be able to kick myself in my butt and start getting a little more accomplished each day.  Any suggestions?  Anyone else feel similar?     


37 comments:

  1. I think that our new slowness and lack of focus is a natural result of the shock of having so much in our lives changed overnight. And I think it's wise not to push yourself too much right now. Your mind has to adjust, and your emotional equilibrium has to settle. It might be a time to rethink the shoulds we have in place from before and see if they still apply. Just my thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. These are good thoughts Boud, thank you, I very much appreciate them. We are all going through a new and difficult situation and it is not easy to find the best way through it.

      Delete
  2. My time stretches out to fill the day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You get so much accomplished with your weaving and I bet it helps you to feel good. I admire the way you keep yourself going each day and accomplish so much. My time does fill my days and I'm never bored, but I need to learn to use my time more wisely!

      Delete
  3. You can tell the rest of us how to get our butts in gear and get a few things done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! I don't know Red, I think getting butts in gear is my problem! You mean you don't have a solution? ; )

      Delete
  4. Sorry you're having a struggle right now. You asked for suggestions and mine would be to pick one thing that you wanted to do from that fun list that you wanted to accomplish. Just one thing, and do that.

    Then to see how that makes you feel. Just the one thing. It sounds like you have almost too many things that you want to do, so much so that nothing gets done.

    For us, Hubs still goes to work and I'm still doing what I do from home so nothing has changed for us in that regard. I still get up and work and he still goes to work. This past weekend I got to vegout and read.

    Pure heaven.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good suggestion, start with one thing. You may be right about too many things. I tend to think of a lot of things at once and then get overwhelmed. Thanks Happy Whisk!

      Delete
    2. Hi Bonnie. That's easy to do with being so creative. Lots of things and fun to be had.

      Delete
  5. I could be the Poster Child for being Slothful, yet, when up under Stress I do find I immerse myself in Projects. But I never stick with just one and flit like a Butterfly from Project to Project, so as my Family like to say I'm often doing Nothing and Everything all at once! *Winks* So... I doubt I could be the least bit Helpful in Motivating you, but I can certainly relate to NOT being a Domestic Goddess and I doubt on my Deathbed it would be said that I regret I didn't do nearly enough Housekeeping! You have my absolution... now Go and Be Well... *winks*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm no Domestic Goddess either! I understand starting too many projects at once. I try hard to not do that but as a quilter I always have at least one UFO. (unfinished object)

      Delete
  6. Blogging is the thing that stops me doing all the stuff I ought to be doing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Sue, I do understand that! It is amazing how much time I can spend on blogs and that is not counting my own! Blogs do bring us joy, friendship and social contact and that is important for us all. Thanks for stopping by Sue.

      Delete
  7. Possibly, as with so many things in life, it's all in the balance - take time to indulge yourself with what you enjoy, such as reading a good book, listening to your favourite music, having a nice meal, and then there is time to do all those other things, without feeling guilty for neglecting one in favour of the other. Each of us has 24 hours every day; it is entirely up to us how we fill those, and everyone has different motivators. For some of us, a set schedule helps, such as putting in your diary "Tuesday, 3:00 to 5:00 pm: Clear out kitchen cabines".
    For others, they have to get started and then motivation kicks in without any schedule.
    As I am still working full-time, I don't have much extra time on my hands, and am not really motivated to do any big jobs around my apartment other than the regular household things such as laundry, cleaning, shopping for food and making my own meals. Motivation is no problem for me, but tiredness is; I am definitely more tired than "before", and I guess this is my body and mind's way of dealing with the coronavirus crisis and the underlying worries.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You always have such wise comments. You are right, we all need balance in our lives. I am one that can benefit from a flexible schedule. I think I simply get distracted very easily and will go off in a different direction. I think we all have those underlying worries due to the virus and that certainly doesn't help us. I hope you are getting enough rest because getting over tired can lower your resistance to bugs. Thanks for your kind words!

      Delete
  8. I too have been slothful where my projects are concerned. I have very old projects, not so old projects and newer ones and they are mounting up. So at the start of the year I decided that I wanted to get them all out of the way as they are taking up too much space. I chose the word 'Focus' and made up a notebook of ALL my projects, big and small. Then each double page I have listed on the left page two 'big' projects, two 'ongoing' projects (making cards etc) and two 'extra' projects (ones that won't take too long). Then on the right page I have divided it up into the seven days of the week. This MAKES me want to get things done so that I can put at least one tick against a project each day. Slowly my many projects are getting done and as I finish a project from the 'extra' I add another one. To make it more fun I put a star sticker against the finished listed project. I still have a lot to do, but my stars are also adding up. Have fun with whatever you decide on doing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joan I love the thought of this notebook you are doing! I have tried similar things with "To Do Lists" and had limited results. Your notebook sounds helpful in listing several, different size projects and then giving yourself a week to get them done. Adding the stars makes it fun! Thank you for your helpful suggestions and thanks for visiting my blog!

      Delete
    2. I'm glad I've helped you a bit towards motivation Bonnie, but I don't finish them in a week. I'm a slow worker these days and I tick the days as I 'do' something on that particular project. It may only be a few lines of knitting or sorting something out, but it's a step towards completion. By ticking the days I feel I am getting closer to finally finishing them all. I started out with 43 old and new projects and since 1st January I have finished 8. You know what they say, "Slow and steady wins the race".

      Delete
    3. You are absolutely right Joan - slow and steady! You are making progress and that is what counts. Thank you again!

      Delete
  9. There is no way I could post an article on my blog every day. Once a week is about my normal routine.

    In the month of May I will be "hosting" the "Words for Wednesday"...so, my usual pattern will change during May...two posts per week....I think! :)

    I do things at my own pace...unless, of course, I'm being nudged along by my two furry mates...and then I just have to do as I'm told.

    Just go at your own pace...don't beat up on yourself. If things get done...they get done...if they don't get done...they don't get done. :)

    Take good care, Bonnie. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lee, we do need to go at our own pace but sometimes I feel like my pace is too slow. I like your thought of "If things get done...they get done...if they don't get done...they don't get done." I think I need to find a happy medium to get things done without pushing myself too much. I'm always the hardest on myself. Thanks for stoppng by!

      Delete
  10. Firstly I don't let doing nothing bother me. Actually even when I am doing nothing my brain is busy. I too have things I would like to do and when that moment comes that I think about them again, like one raises itself in my brain again, I say to myself, right, let's do it now, let's get up and get on with it, and I do. It is like fresh air blowing through the house.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm okay with doing nothing as long as I have at least something accomplished in a day. I understand your brain being busy even when doing nothing. I am like that too and sometimes when it is our subconscious brain that is busy we benefit the most in my opinioin. When I think of something I want to do I tend to have trouble getting myself in gear to do it, especially in the past month or so. I love your description of it being like fresh air blowing through the house when you do get on with something. It really is like that which is great. Thanks Rachel.

      Delete
  11. You could have been writing about me in this post. When this all started I thought it would be an ideal opportunity to take up my old hobbies again. However, the sewing machine is still under a heap of junk in the spare bedroom and my watercolour stuff is still up in the loft. Like you, I just about summon up the motivation to do the housework, and that is certainly not every day now.
    I am just too lazy. The typical sloth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, I do understand JayCee! I had great plans when the isolation first started. I think everything with the virus has occupied much of our thoughts without even realizing it and it tires you out. I've been getting the necessities done and not a lot more. Several of the comments here have been helpful. Maybe there's hope for people like us! Thank you for stopping by and commenting JayCee!

      Delete
  12. I think I have read every comment...i am just about in the exact frame of mind as you, only worse. I am sick to death of thinking about what to fix to eat! Roger requested a fried bologna sandwich yesterday and I jumped at the chance to fix something he actually requested. If someone actually requests something, I am fine with cooking.

    But other things I just let slide...so many I need to do. And even before this pandemic. What I used to go zip through in a morn or an afternoon takes me forever.

    I want to declutter more, but what would I do with stuff? No place is open to take donations! And cannot have a yard sale..

    I best hush...this is way too long already.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rose, I think there are many of us that feel this way. Maybe we are too hard on ourselves or maybe we get in a rut. I really get tired of coming up with something for dinner each night. Some of the commenters here have made some good suggestions. But you know I think having this virus over us all the time is not helping. Take care Rose!

      Delete
  13. I think losing what little routine I had in the first place being at home all the time left me unmotivated for a while. I've been moving slowly for a long time and now it's even slower most of the time--LOL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I understand Rita. I think you mentioned one of the magic words - routine. I used to have a better routine and I think I need to find a new one! Take care Rita.

      Delete
  14. Bonnie, it's so crazy. Here we have all this time on our hands, time that I could use to finish and mark off items on my "to do" list. I've been wanting to paint our bedroom, the two bathrooms, and the hall what seems like forever, but I cannot get in the mood to paint. Same with sewing and everything else. I'm tired of feeling like I'm waiting for something. Love, Henny :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Henny, you have touched on just what I was feeling but did not realize it. I also feel like I am waiting for something! I guess living in a pandemic will do that to a person. At least by the comments here I have discovered I am not alone in my feelings. And maybe we are doing pretty good after all when you consider what we are living through right now. Some of us (myself for sure) are bad about making ourselves feel guilty when we don't get things done. I just need to find a happy medium I think - one where I get a few things done but don't stress about it all. Thanks for stopping by and commenting Henny. You take care of yourself. I always love to see you!xxx

      Delete
  15. Definitely feeling the same feelings. For me, it feels psychological. If I take care of everything I need or want to do then I will not have anything to do and that would really stink especially if we are still in self-isolation. I think it also gives us comfort that we have a few things waiting for us and we can take care of them later. My two cents. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have an interesting way of looking at things. I do understand what you are saying but I don't think I would ever run out of things to do. You take care too. That birthday is almost here...

      Delete
  16. Don't beat yourself up Bonnie. Procrastination and idleness are not necessarily bad things. I speak from experience. How many mornings do I see slide away and then there's only half a day left? I think we have to be realistic as we aim to tick things off on our mental lists. Don't set targets that are out of synch with our characters. And congratulate ourselves for even small achievements or tasks done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks YP. I get frustrated with myself when I don't live up to my own expectations but then I have always been the hardest on myself. I'm trying to remember that we are not exactly living in normal times right now and give myself some slack.

      Delete
  17. I know exactly what you mean Bonnie! We are all in limbo waiting for something to 'happen' before we move on! I have loads of things to do and cupboards to sort - like you - but have no desire to do it. What I have decided to do is just achieve one thing per day. For example today I decided that no matter what else I did I would pot up a courgette plant. I had to source the pot from my garden, wash it up, fill with earth and put the plant inside. I then found some bricks to put the pot up onto for drainage. Once you start doing something other things follow. Wishing you well Bonnie and thank you for commenting on my blog. I have answered your questions on there. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good advice Simone, thank you. I do find that if I will just do one thing it often leads me to other things that I need to get done. I think with so much going on in our world today it just becomes difficult to take that first step to get started. It is easy to feel overwhelmed these days. I enjoy your blog very much and yes, I did see your answer to my question. Thank you again!

      Delete

I would love to hear from you!