How to Stay Motivated
Quarantine and social distancing has us all feeling some type of way. Some people have found new and interesting hobbies to occupy their time. But, a lot of us feel emotionally drained and uninspired as we continue to wait out what seems like a never-ending storm.
Acknowledging that you don't always have the energy and desire to do things is important. We can't force our bodies to be more than what they are. But we can find little things to do during the day to help out mental health and get back to our old selves.
Utilize your lunch breaks! I have an hour for lunch and try to get outside for at least 15 when I can. Whether you're at home or the office, enjoy sunshine and go for a short walk. Stretch your legs and give your eyes a break from the computer screen.
Schedule time for your interests. Put it on paper or in your Google calendar. Tell others you're unavailable during that time and stick to it. I enjoy reading, but always find myself picking up the phone when a notification comes through, or scroll mindlessly on social media for longer than I need to. So, I've put my phone on Do Not Disturb or left it in the other room for an hour.
Set clear goals. A goal without a plan is just an idea. If you want to change something in your life, you have to make it happen. Whether it is a short-term or long-term goal, create manageable steps to be successful. But also be realistic. Don't set yourself up for failure from the beginning by shooting too high.
And remember, motivation is often the result of an action, not the cause of it. So it you're waiting for motivation to come before you make a change, you might never take the first step.