10 Ways to Get Inspired When You’re Just Not Feeling It

Hey y’all! I know it’s been a bit since my last post. I’ve been feeling so uninspired lately which makes it really difficult to sit down and write. Between working 50+ hour weeks, trying to keep up with the day-to-day stuff and dealing with other personal things, I haven’t had much energy (or time) to write. This has honestly been kind of weighing on me because I’ve let these things take away from one thing that I’m really passionate about which is my blog. I don’t want to continue to let that happen so I’ve been working on finding ways to get inspired again and get back to my normal self. Maybe you’re needing a little pick-me-up right now too so I thought I would share some of my best tips on getting inspired.

Read.  One thing that’s really been helpful in getting back to feeling like myself is reading. I love a good self-help/motivational book and though it seems like I haven’t had much time to breathe let alone read lately, I’ve been making an effort to read a little each day, even if it’s just for a few minutes during my breaks at work or before bed. I wrote a post on some inspirational books I’ve read recently. If you want to check out my recommendations, you can find them here 🙂

Make healthier choices. It’s no secret that when you’re not treating your mind and body right, it reflects in the way you feel. My schedule has been ridiculously busy, but I have decided that that is no longer an excuse to not take care of myself. I am starting to make more of an effort to eat better and get more exercise in. I love how great I feel when I’m prioritizing my health. This is something I’ve always struggled with so when I’m successfully meeting my health and wellness goals, it makes me feel like I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.

Set goals for yourself. I always feel so much more in control of my life and inspired to keep moving forward when I create a list of goals for myself. Whether it’s short-term goals, long-term goals or just simple weekly tasks like doing laundry, having goals in mind keeps you on track and motivated. There’s nothing more satisfying than crossing things off as you accomplish tasks you’ve set for yourself. With that being said, also make sure you’re setting realistic goals or you will probably end up feeling discouraged. Allow yourself reasonable time limits to accomplish whatever it is you’re trying to do and don’t overwhelm yourself with feeling obligated to complete too many things at once. I’ve found when I try to get too much done at one time, I end up getting nothing done at all because I feel pulled in too many directions. I love keeping a daily planner to keep my goals prioritized and being able to see them all written out on paper. This has helped me a ton with staying on track and holding myself accountable.

Do something for YOU. I think it’s very easy to slip into a routine of putting the needs of those around you ahead of your own. You might not even realize you’re doing it or maybe that’s what you live for. I’m guilty of doing this at times and I find myself feeling unhappy when I let it go on for too long. While there’s nothing wrong with taking care of the people around you, make sure you’re not putting your own well-being at the bottom of the list. Sometimes, you just need to treat yourself to something special – pedicure, massage, shopping spree or even just a night to yourself catching up on your favorite tv show with a bottle of wine to get yourself back to a healthier state of mind.

Book a trip. Whether it’s a short weekend getaway or a long distance adventure, traveling always gets me inspired. I love having a trip to look forward to and to plan for. I think part of the reason I’ve been feeling so down is that I’ve always made it a point to travel several times a year, but I haven’t been able to much for the past year and a half or so. Just last week, I booked a trip to California for our upcoming anniversary and since then, I can already tell a difference in my outlook and the way I feel. Breaking away from the monotony of every day life does wonders for the mind, so if you can get away (even for a night or two), I definitely recommend it. Even a staycation (staying somewhere besides home, but still in your town or nearby) can be just the perfect escape to get your mind right.  If you’re looking for ways to save up, be sure to check out my money saving tips for vacation!

Wake up earlier on your days off. I am by no means a morning person, but I have found that on the weekends I actually enjoy getting up early because I have the whole day ahead of me to accomplish everything I want to do. The old me would be sleeping in until noon, but lately, I am loving getting up and being as productive as possible. I don’t have to deal with putting in a full day’s work and then coming home and trying to tackle all the extra stuff at night. I feel refreshed and ready to take on the day!

You can also try getting up earlier during the week to get a head start on your day if that’s more your speed. Hit the gym, catch up on things around the house or just enjoy a few minutes to yourself before the rest of the world wakes up.

Create a vision board. A vision board is basically a visual wish list of things you would like to make a reality in your life (check out this great article for more details). If you don’t have the means or time to create an actual vision board, I would really suggest creating a digital vision board on Pinterest. From healthy recipes to outfit inspo and anything (and everything) in between, Pinterest is the ultimate vision board. I find so much inspiration here on a daily basis – it’s seriously life-changing!

Take a break from social media. We live in this crazy world where we are constantly being flooded with perfectly curated images and filters and where people post mainly about how wonderful their lives are.  It’s only normal that we begin to question why our lives don’t seem as amazing and in turn, this can be really discouraging and detrimental to the way we think. We’re also consistently fed negative news stories and images from the media which tends to spread like wildfire across social media, negatively impacting our mindsets and moods. Detoxing from social media for a few days (or longer) can help you to re-focus and feel motivated because you’re giving yourself some mental space to stop comparing yourself or your life to others and step away from all of the negativity that is constantly present online.

Speak positively daily. So I am totally aware this probably sounds super cheesy, but sometimes you just have to be your own cheerleader in life. Every day on the way to work, I remind myself out loud that I am in charge of my happiness and that it’s going to be a great day. I am a firm believer that we have the power of being able to speak things into existence and positivity is one of them. I notice if I’m doing this, my days generally go better and I am less likely to allow negativity in. Sometimes, I like to throw in a few things that I’m grateful for as well. I think every now and then we need to remind ourselves to count our blessings and be thankful for the opportunities, the hardships and everything in between because there is something to be learned in everything we go through. Better yet, make it a point to speak or do something positively to those around you. Compliment a stranger. Give to someone in need.  Positive energy can inspire not only you, but those around you too.

Bonus Tip: I love listening to motivational podcasts and videos on YouTube. Whether I’m at work, in the car or at the gym (or wherever really), these keep me entertained and feeling inspired. There is so much inspirational and educational content out there that’s free – take advantage of it!

What are some tips you use to feel inspired? I’d love to hear what works for you!

Have a fabulous week!

XOXO,

Ashley