It all boils down to this--- my motivation on a scale from 1 to 10 ranks at about a 3 right now. And I think Madeline Kahn put it best in Blazing Saddles:
I'm suffering from motivation zap. Brain drain. I don't know what it was about the end of this year but I lost all interest in just about everything. Maybe it's the whole overworked, underpaid thing or perhaps it's even the fact that I tried to do too much in too little time. I dunno. All I know is this: I'm pooped. And I've found that when I'm lacking in motivation, I end up completely uninspired (hence the limited, unoriginal postings).
What really sucks about it all is that every movie I watched, every book I read didn't seem to satisfy my thirst for decent entertainment and that just makes me sad. Does that ever happen to you? Please tell me I'm not the only one! Now I have to ask myself if it's because I was just in a negative frame of mind or if what I read/watched really was that bad. Then I start to worry all over the place and question my judgement. Actually, it's more like I question ALL THE THINGS and end up looking something like this:
But at least I've come so far as to realize that I'm afflicted with motivation zap and now I can start taking steps to fix it. I'd like to think my New Year's Resolutions were a good start, but seriously, how many of us actually stick to those things after, like, two weeks?
Wait, you do? Really? Well damn.
I'm planning on carving out some quality "me" time over the weekend, so hopefully that'll help to get it in check and I think a reality check of my often super high expectations is in order. Hey, it's a start. I suppose I need to buck up, get with the program and be over it already. Sorry for all the negativity, it's just nice to air it all out and (hopefully) hear that I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Rant over.
Is it just me or do you feel the motivation zap too? How do combat it? Any inspiration tactics or magical cures you'd like to share, because I'm all ears! And do GIFS make you as happy as they make me?
I think everyone gets in a (blogging or real life or both) rut every now and again. I hope you get your motivation back soon! It's certainly frustrating when you don't have any - I know the feeling!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reassurance, Belle! It's tough but I'm hoping I'll pull through soon. I think once inspiration strikes, it'll only go up from there.
DeleteIt happens to me when I'm over stressed, over extended and I don't exercise. I need that outlet to get rid of the built up stress. I can sympathize and hope you get back into the groove again. I'd say read a book just for you without any intention of reviewing it but I tried that last summer and felt guilty that I wasn't reviewing it and went back to the tv ;)
ReplyDeleteYeah, reading and watching movies used to be my outlet but not so much anymore. I really probably should start to exercise more regularly or just do something different. Maybe that's just what I need --- a big change to shake things up a bit.
DeleteI totally feel it too, Nikki! It's just one of those things that comes and goes, especially after the holidays, when you feel so much pressure to have fun and have a great holiday and celebrate...just let yourself off the hook, don't worry about goals or resolutions right now, and hopefully the motivation will come back. Maybe try watching an old favorite movie that you know you love and have seen a million times? Mine is Pride and Prejudice.
ReplyDeleteHmm, that's a good idea, Tammy! I think I'm good for any Monty Python or Mel Brooks movie. They always seem to put me in the right frame of mind! Thanks!
DeleteGifs totally make me happy!!
ReplyDeleteMeh, I totally get you. Near Christmas I sort of deflated. And I don't think I've re-inflated yet. I'm just sort of getting there, but it's like you! I borrowed ALL these books from the library and I don't know which one I want to read (that usually happens, anyway) but whichever one I do pick up, I seem to be rather unimpressed with, or find it hard to get into. I think it is the whole end of year, too over-worked, system-shutting-down thing.
I don't know any cures, really, I'm afraid. Other than long walks. On your own, is preferable (for me, anyway). But it clears the head, and maybe gives some perspective if you're lucky :) Hope you find your mojo, or at least some of it, soon.
Aren't they the best! I think I just wrote this post so that I had a legitimate excuse to use those GIFS! Haha!
DeleteThanks so much, lady. I'm really hoping to pump it up and some alone time definitely did help.
It happens to everyone, especially this time of year. When I'm unmovtivated and feeling *ugh* I have hubby take me for a nice scenic drive. We are lucky that we live nearby Upstate NY an it's a pretty drive. Driving for a while then going to a winery up there is our mini escape. I suggest a visual treat. Or, when all else fails, I like to veg out in front of the tv in my pajamas. Enjoy your weekend :)
ReplyDeleteOh man, I wish I had access to a lovely, scenic drive. Er, well I do I guess I just need to not be lazy and actually go take one. Mmmm, wiiiiiiiiine. Why didn't I think of that!?
DeleteIt's definitely the time of year - I wasn't into Christmas either this year - last year we were planning to move back to Australia and now we're staying in the Netherlands for at least two more years and I just didn't FEEL it. And I too had all those plans for the Christmas holidays that just didn't happen.
ReplyDeleteJust chill out, relax, and do what you want to do - even if it doesn't feel productive - spend hours watching YouTube videos, sleeping, just generally mooching about if you want to - and don't stress, we all have Fuck-Its ;-)
I hate it when things are all planned out but for one reason or another, it doesn't work out. And I totally did make good use of Youtube over the weekend. It helps! Actually, it's kinda nice to say 'fuck it' every once in awhile, isn't it? :)
DeleteI do exactly that every time I have time off work. I did get a few tings done of the xmas break but I think that was only because I had so much time where I didn't have to do anything and I ran out of good films to watch. Yet I still felt I'd hardly achieved anything blogwise.
ReplyDeleteYou need to make a choice not to do everything. That is the first step. Pick one thing that you'd really like to get done, focus on that and try very hard not to worry about the things you're not doing. Blogging is meant to be fun after all :)
I know. I always told myself that the second it started feeling like a chore, I needed to take a step back which is kind of what I did. I'm definitely a pusher so it's hard to realize that sometimes. :)
DeleteI felt pretty similar at the end of the year -- just zapped of motivation and I did not want to do anything reading or blogging related. I achieve my goodreads challenge goal, but I didn't feel compelled to excel beyond that goal. Typically when I feel the motivation zap, I try to change my diet -- usually it happens when I'm gorging on junk food, drink more water and exercise. Like, it's really bizarre but I feel more motivated to blog and read and get all of the things done when I'm feeling energized and for me, that energy comes from being healthy. Also, it sometimes helps to read a tried and true favorite or watch a favorite film which reminds me of why I like what I'm doing, ya know?
ReplyDeleteHope your motivation shows up again!
I really do think I need to make some sort of life change because things have been stagnant for quite some time. I need to shake things up and get out of my normal routine a bit. Diet and exercise (ugggh), I hate it, but I do need to change it. Thanks for the encouragement, April! :)
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