Where has the time gone?
How are we already at the end of summer? Looking back on the year so far, it can seem as if some things have happened in the blink of an eye, while other events happened so long ago we have almost forgotten them. Like our New Year Resolutions to get fit and healthy. Remember those? Good times.About three months into the year, when the weather changes and we begin to look forward to summer, it's not uncommon to find that we have lost connection with the goals we set in January. By the dog days of summer, it’s understandable when things have come to a grinding halt. I often hear that motivation has been lost, or a plateau just can’t be broken. It is my finding that motivation does not get lost; it simply becomes irrelevant. Many times, what motivated us in January doesn’t feel quite as urgent in March. When that happens, it means that the healthy habits that seemed exciting and fresh a few weeks ago now feel like the tedious work of being “good.” We get antsy. Bored. We begin to feel stuck. If you want to move from goal traction to action, here are some ways to get the magic back.
It's normal to feel apathetic or unmotivated at times. After all, we can only process so much information before our brains need a rest. But, your feelings do not define you. Apathy is a temporary state of being and feeling so does not mean you are lazy, passionless, stupid, boring, undisciplined, or any other label you give yourself when you're stuck. It's just how you feel right now. You won't feel this way forever. The first step of moving forward is to recognize that everyone hits a bump in the road, and you have arrived at one of yours. To get moving again, look backwards. Can you pinpoint a time when things were going well? Grab a sheet of paper and try completing these sentences:
- Everything was fine until...
- If only I could go back to when...
- I just can't seem to recover from...
- Everything will be better when...
Reflect on those happy times and pay attention to what brought you joy. I’m not saying that we can magically recreate that time in your life, but we may discover elements of it that you can reconnect with.Then, consider what elements in your life can be changed, and what cannot. A good way to reach this destination is to ponder:
- I know things could change if I...
- I know things could change if (insert person's name) would...
- Since I can't control that I should...
- And the first thing that needs to happen is...
This step is all about taking ownership for what we can control in our lives, and letting go of what we cannot control, the first of which is the actions of others. Sometimes we allow ourselves to be “stuck” because we are waiting for someone else to do something. Their role in our plateau is usually unbeknownst to them, and the best course of action is to simply let them keep doing their thing while we go about the business of focusing on what we can do, not what we cannot.The next step is to look around for your silver linings. Notice what makes you feel good! Think of times during the day when you feel your best, even if your best isn't great. Explore what specific elements of that part of your day are the things that bring you happiness. It could be that you feel your best when drinking coffee with a friend, but if you drank it with someone else you might not feel as great. That's a sign that it's the person and how you feel with them, rather than drinking coffee with just any friend, that brings you joy. How can you connect with those feelings more often?Next, set your current concerns to the side and think beyond the problem at hand. Just let it sit there on pause while you think about something else for a minute. Now it is time to put your dreaming hat on. What would you like your legacy to be? What do you want people to fondly say about you when you are gone? How do you want to impact the world? Are you doing things that lead to that outcome? If not, what are you waiting for?
Breaking out of apathy is not always as simple as answering a few questions and getting lost in a daydream. If you are experiencing signs of depression or feeling a sense of hopelessness or despair, please see your doctor and seek guidance. If you feel that momentum is within your reach and just needs to have the dust cleared away, take time to get logical, and then get dreamy. Today is a day of new beginnings. You can renew yourself and take the first step now.Click HERE to learn more about the Wellview services available to you. We can’t wait to work with you!
– HEATHER FUSELIER, CHWC, CFP, TTS
Health Advisor | Email Heather
