January and February are the roughest months of the year for me, in a lot of ways and for a lot of reasons. You’re probably sick of hearing me say this, but snow and cold mean that I’m mostly stuck inside, and that gets old really quickly. Plus, right around the end of January/beginning of February, I start to lose the momentum that I had from the New Year. It’s dark when I’m home in the evenings, and that just makes me want to hibernate and watch endless episodes of “The West Wing” while I’m wrapped in a blanket and parked directly in front of my space heater.
But obviously, the world does not stop until Spring comes around, so I have to find ways to convince myself to keep going. I won’t lie… some of these ways center on “rewarding” (aka bribing) myself. Whatever works, right? So here’s what I’ve found works best for me.
One – Lots of Coffee
I’m a noted caffeine addict, but there’s something especially appealing about coffee in the winter. Not only does it help keep me warm (I don’t have great circulation and I’m basically always cold), but when I’m drinking it I can pause to collect my thoughts and start to get myself in order. This year, my new Ember coffee mug (which I talk about here) is making this one a lot better!
Two – Making Lists
I often feel like the hardest part of being unmotivated is that feeling of not even knowing where to start. This is where list-making is immensely helpful. Getting everything written down helps me feel like I’m making progress towards getting things done, and then that first step of getting started feels a lot more attainable. Plus, the feeling of crossing things off the list is so good and helps keep my momentum going.
Three – Taking Time for Myself
Sometimes I’m not feeling motivated because I’m feeling run down and worn out. So taking a few extra minutes for myself can help me feel relaxed and reinvigorated and ready to take on the day again. Whether it’s taking a few minutes to read something not school-related, or doing a face mask at night (this one is my favorite), it’s just about “me time.”
Four – Puppy Cuddles
I mean, this is basically the cure for everything. A few puppy kisses and cuddles make every situation better – nothing more needs to be said.
Five – Treat Yo’ Self
Maybe this is shallow, but I do feel more confident and ready to take on the world when I’m rocking something new. It just gives you that little boost that you need sometimes to get things started. I just picked up this faux leather skirt from J. Crew, and I’m really looking forward to wearing it!
What do you do when you’re feeling unmotivated? Tell me your tips!
(This post contains affiliate links, I may earn a commission from purchases you make.)
