Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Back on the Mat



I did yoga today for the first time in about five months. It really made me think about motivation. I’m someone who likes to get things done by being inspired. I feel inspired to read today, I feel inspired to clean today, I feel inspired to grade today. I realized that if I went on inspiration alone, I’d probably have a clean house maybe three times a year and nothing would be graded until the day before the end of the semester. I’m realizing that part of being an adult is getting yourself to do things that you don’t feel like doing, have any inspiration or motivation for, and doing them anyway. Even if they’re things you WANT to do, but just talk yourself out of because you’re tired, or stressed, or busy. I’m terrible at this. But I’m learning to get better. 

Today my friend was teaching a drop in yoga class for her teacher certification, and I knew it would mean a lot to her if I went, but it would also mean a lot to me, because I’ve had no motivation to start yoga again, and I’ve wanted to for a long time. Last night I signed up and paid for the class, and then told her I would come, so that way I knew I couldn’t talk myself out of it. Starting again wasn’t as scary as I thought once I just committed to it and showed up. 

Whatever it is that you’ve “gone of the wagon” with, or can’t seem to start, just decide to make a move for that first step. Write it down, make that appointment, pay for that class, tell someone else about it—whatever it is, you can do one thing to start today. Yoga is just one of many things on my list—what’s something on your list that you need some motivation to start?