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Janice Walton's avatar

I thought I had lost my motivation this fall. This article was going to be about recharging it, but then . . .

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Paolo Peralta's avatar

I love the concept of gathering 🙏

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

So wise, so helpful, Janice. As always! Be sure to keep us filled in on your progress. It's touch and go around here.

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Janice Walton's avatar

I will do that - promise.

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Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Sometimes when I feel that way, I figure my Life is saying, “You need to refuel. Take your time filling your own pitcher so you can pour out more love & energy to others later.” I think we worry when we’re not motivated because the world teaches us we have to “be raring to go” all the time. Maybe a lack of motivation is just what we need for our self-care. ❤️ Happy 2025, Janice.

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Janice Walton's avatar

Jan, you are exactly right . That is exactly what it seems like. I had to refuel so that I could continue.

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Makes sense. It’s always easier to “hide.” New ideas help me and I don’t know what I’d do without my dog. He gets me out of bed.

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Janice Walton's avatar

Good point - the cats are very helpful.

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Paolo Peralta's avatar

I visited my sister in Oakland and she is the same way. I love walking with her and her dog in the morning, we’d get vegan donuts and hike.

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Denyse Whelan Writes Here's avatar

I really identified with this Janice. Thank you for sharing. I have had a body telling me to quieten down (I don't tend to listen until this...) and become more measured in my daily life as I navigated some big and somewhat triggering days in this first year of grief after my 100 yo Dad died. There is also some kind of anticipatory grief around for me ..at 75, we want to keep enjoying life as is...which is now as we make it happen but not get too caught up with future thinking...Staying present and mindful is even more important. Warm wishes Denyse

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Janice Walton's avatar

Hi Denise, We really need to listen to our bodies more than we do. I so agree with you about staying present and mindful. Take care.

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Jill CampbellMason's avatar

Gathering…like an embrace of energy.

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Janice Walton's avatar

Yes.

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Paolo Peralta's avatar

I feel this

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Jan Hoover's avatar

My son found that he gets energized in the dark times of year by using a light box first thing in the morning.

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Janice Walton's avatar

Hi Jan, There is something to that. I'm pretty sure the darkness has something to do with it.

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Donna McArthur's avatar

Sometimes finding others who share the mental space we've found ourselves in is very comforting. Sure, our situations and lives are vastly different and yet we found each other over the cyberwaves! You continue to inspire me to be better Janice and I hope the little sparks of inspiration and motivation continue to land on you a little more each day.

(For what it's worth, I just started to reread Pressfield's The War of Art to give myself a little boost.) Thank you so much for sharing my essay, I look forward to checking out the other one you posted. xox

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Janice Walton's avatar

I will have to check that book out further. Your article made so much sense to me - - it was funny - or -meant to be - that article was completely written about ways to motivate oneself. And then it was like - oh - wait a minute.

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Donna McArthur's avatar

Thank you Janice, I’m glad you like the article and that was your perspective. I hope you check out the book, it’s very good.

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Janice Walton's avatar

I bought the book.

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Stephanie Schaible, MT (ASCP)'s avatar

“I began to reconsider. Was my so-called lack of motivation more about a natural part of healing - gathering resources and making subtle shifts? It made sense!“

I think you nailed it!

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Janice Walton's avatar

Hi Stephanie, A plus has been that I've stopped pressuring myself to do more and find myself more motivated.

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Stephanie Schaible, MT (ASCP)'s avatar

That’s great. In my case, understanding that a lack of motivation is a symptom of my chronic illness, my body’s way of helping me to rest and heal (not a character flaw) helps me a lot. My motivation to do more often returns after I’ve allowed myself to rest and heal during flare ups. I’ve learned to stop pressuring myself to do more while my body is healing which wasn’t easy.

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Janice Walton's avatar

Hi Stephanie, That's the point I think: "My body’s way of helping me rest and heal (not a character flaw) helps me a lot."

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