How To Stay Motivated When You Feel Down

A good friend of mine recently told me that he feels like he's in a funk. He wants to get out of it and find the drive again, but just feels stuck. You know the feeling. We've all been there and it's tricky to kick.
 
I'm a big proponent of finding what you love and tackling it. Pouring your heart into it and not holding back. But sometimes doing what you love isn’t enough. Motivation and inspiration are tricky components to hold onto sometimes and it might feel like they just aren't in place when you really need them to be.
 
Each of our situations will of course be different, but I just thought I would lay out a few principles that I have found help me when I feel like this.

Photo by MelodyOfLeeLoo

• Take each day one step at a time.

Frustration can spill over from the day before, but just give each new morning a bold new chance. Fill it with optimism.

Even if motivation is difficult to muster, start it out with a clear mind and a goal to challenge yourself.

The challenges can be small and seemingly insignificant, but baby steps add up, I tell ya. Put them all together and pretty soon, you have accomplished much more than you might have realized.

• Get a notebook or journal and write.
  

Photo by ShaloraEven use your computer as a tablet. I have found that actually taking pen to paper helps me to sift through my thoughts and get a better grip on goals and ideas; but whatever works for you is great.

Just write. Write words, ideas, thoughts. Write about things you are happy with, things you are upset about, things you want to change, things you are proud of accomplishing.
 
It's a good outlet just to reconnect with yourself and many times, you will be shocked at what you have all snuggly tucked away up there in your brain when it comes spilling out onto paper.

• Find your muse, don't let it find you.

Inspiration is something that you can create and nourish. It doesn't magically appear to you, you have to seek it, develop it, embrace it, immerse yourself in it and USE it!
 
And inspiration doesn't have to be a grandiose event, it can truly be as simple as noticing nature or allowing a musical lyric to ignite your emotions and take action.
 
Look around and soak up the world surrounding you. Sometimes you will be stunned at what you find.

Art by monarchism

•  Set goals.

Even if they are small objectives that you can complete in a day, give yourself something to work towards.

Be satisfied with taking baby steps and be proud of each level you reach.

• Take time to relax.

Burnout can happen when we don't take time to smell the roses. Even the hardest of workers need downtime and it's essential if you want to keep yourself healthy.

Walk, read, sit, nap, listen to music, breathe, enjoy moments without chaos and deadlines involved.

Photo by yatiekas

• Don't let your funk get you down and don't accept defeat.

Obstacles will always appear in life and all of us feel frustration, but don't let it win. Hold onto your dreams and remember how important you are in so many peoples' lives.

When the gloomy cloud rolls away, there will be a silver lining hidden behind it. Even if it takes awhile to chase the woe out of sight and bring the light back into view, it's there.

Give it time, look within yourself and muster strength and smiles.

You are bigger and better than the burnout.

There's a bright sky just around the bend.

Photo by Pachipachi4ever