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Not Feeling Motivated? Here’s What To Do

Jaclyn Baker
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Motivation doesn’t always show up when we want it to.

Waiting until you get that burst of energy to start or finish a project isn’t exactly ideal, especially when time is of the essence. 

When motivation doesn’t strike, don’t give up! Try out healthy habits instead.

Begin With The End in Mind

Take time to reflect on what is important to you and begin with the end in mind.

Just imagine how proud and accomplished you’ll feel when that task gets checked off your list. 

Thinking about how complicated or scary a task at hand may be certainly won’t make the process any easier.

In fact, it can bring on anxiety and stress. 

And you know what? Once you actually get started, the task may be easier than you originally anticipated. 

Start Small & Work Your Way Up

Ease into your new habits slowly and start small. 

What sounds easier….

Doing 100 pushups a day for a week?

or,

Doing one pushup today, two pushups tomorrow, three pushups the next day etc.?

Yes, it will take you a bit longer to get to the 100 pushup goal – but the overall process will be much less overwhelming, and you can work at your own pace. 

The more you practice committing your time and energy to something, the more you get used to doing it – even if you don’t love it. 

Link Habits To Your Routine

Establishing a new habit can be a lot easier if you link it to an existing one.

Here’s an example. 

Let’s say you’d love to start reading every day but feel like you don’t have the time. You work long hours, and by the time you get home, all you want to do is spend time with family and go to sleep.

A great hack is to pick just one daily habit you already have and combine the two – such as drinking coffee on the porch. 

All you’ll have to do is bring a book out a book when you drink your coffee so that you can do both at the same time.

If you keep at it long enough, before you know it, that activity will likely become second nature. 

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” -Jim Ryun

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Juneteenth

Jaclyn Baker

Juneteenth is a holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States that has been celebrated by African-Americans since the late 1800s. The holiday marks the day in 1865 that slaves in Texas were finally told they were free, about two months after Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered.  A full two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation, Gordon Granger, a Union general, arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. June 19th is considered the actual day of emancipation.

Although the day has been marked by celebrations for decades, with the nationwide protests calling for racial justice, the day has gained more widespread support. The Black Lives Matter movement, has helped put the discussions of racism at the forefront. In many ways, the change and protests across the country continue to spread awareness of systemic racism in our country. The Juneteenth celebration is a time to understand how race plays a role in society and how it has led to segregation, stereotyping, and exploitation. 

This is an opportunity for all Americans to remember the oppression of African-Americans throughout our history as well as the engrained framework that has led to systemic racism in our society. This holiday is a time for families, friends, and allies to come together and honor the lives of all those impacted by racism and slavery. 

A good way to learn more about Juneteenth is to take the time to read articles, watch documentaries, or scroll through social media. To create change and lead a society that is fair and equal for all, it is important to also remember the past. 

For more information, you can check out the following resources:

Juneteenth Official Website

So You Want to Learn About Juneteenth? Article 

Resources for Understanding and Celebrating Juneteenth 

A Brief History of Juneteenth: Including Resources for Teachers and Home School Parents

The Juneteenth Reading List

June is Pride Month

Jaclyn Baker

During the month of June, the LGBTQ+ community and its allies are celebrating Pride Month!

Pride first originated a year after the Stonewall Uprisings in New York City. In 1970 the Pride march was a statement that advocated for the LGBTQ+ people’s rights to live in a world free of oppression.

While it is seen as a time for joy and love, it’s also a time for remembrance. 

Pride is not just an expression of the community with an array of vibrant colors. It is also a commemoration of the history that has fought for freedom.

June is a time to encourage open discussion with family, friends, and colleagues in order to provide a safer space for those to live their truth. 

We continue to honor the lives of those in the LGBTQ+ community who have paved the way for marginalized people. Through their example, we continue to grow, love, and give a voice to those who need a platform. 

To learn more you can read non-fiction memoirs, engage in conversation or read articles. There still continues to be inequality but we can continue to spread awareness and compassion. 

For more information, you can check out the following resources:

This Is What LGBT Life Is Like Around the World | Jenni Chang and Lisa Dazols | TED Talks

Library of Congress LGBTQ+ Blogs

Library of Congress LGBTQ+ Studies: A Resource Guide

The Ultimate LGBTQ+ Pride Book List

It’s Pride Month. Here’s What You Need to Know Article

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It’s Okay To Make Mistakes

Jaclyn Baker
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Mistakes are not a bad thing. In fact, they are one of the best ways to learn. 

Not all life lessons can be learned in a book. Some of the best lessons take place via trial and error.

Don’t be afraid to look back and reflect upon past mistakes from time to time.

In fact, you would not be the person you are today without all of your experiences both positive and negative. 

Accept The Past

Nothing we do can change the past, and no one knows for sure what tomorrow has in store. All we can do is embrace and appreciate the here and the now.

There Are No Instructions

Now, there is no ultimate secret instruction book for life. If there were, we’d all be following it.

Yes, we can go into situations with good intentions and a solid plan, but that doesn’t guarantee that everything will turn out exactly as anticipated. 

We may not be able to control events that happen in our lives, but we can control our attitude.

A bump or two in the road doesn’t need to stop you from moving ahead.

Turning Lemons Into Lemonade

It’s not about forgetting that the past ever happened – it’s about turning lemons into lemonade. 

Be grateful for all the twists and turns that have brought you here. 

There are many paths you could have taken – but this is the one you’re in now. 

Just because something feels a little difficult right now doesn’t mean you’ll feel this way forever. Every day is a new day. 

“Don’t live your life regretting yesterday. Live your life so tomorrow you won’t regret today.” – Catherine Pulsifer“

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Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

Jaclyn Baker
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A change in mindset can transform a negative feeling into a positive one. Every cloud has a silver lining. 

Question Your Thoughts

You have the power to control your thoughts. Every single negative thought can be changed into a positive one.

It does take practice and consistency, but it can be done. 

The next time you notice a negative thought sneaking up on you, stop what you’re doing and take some time to question it.

Why do you think that thought entered your mind in the first place? Did something happen in the past that made you cautious? Or are you experiencing a bad gut feeling?

Just because you think something doesn’t make it true – even if it feels that way right now.

Challenging your thoughts can help you look at events from several different points of view. 

Will This Matter One Month From Now?

Remember, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Just because you can’t see it right now doesn’t mean it isn’t there. 

When something is bothering you, an excellent question to ask yourself is…

“Will this matter a month from now?”

Bringing a little bit of the future into the present can help remind you that even though you may be feeling bad right now, the feeling will pass. 

Practice Positive Thinking

None of us are perfect, and significant lifestyle changes won’t happen overnight. But if you put the work in, anything is possible.

Every small step is one step in the right direction.

Looking at one situation/event a day through a different lens is an amazing place to start.

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Improving And Rebuilding Your Relationships

Jaclyn Baker
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With the hustle and bustle of daily life, finding time for others isn’t always easy. 

Cherishing that connection with the people in our lives is so important. 

If you feel like you’ve been putting your relationships on the back burner lately, now is the time to check back in!

Not sure where to begin? Keep on reading to learn more. 

Schedule Check-In Time 

We get it. At the end of a long work or school day, sometimes all you want to do is eat dinner and go to sleep. We all have those evenings once in a while, and that’s completely okay. 

But here’s the deal – when you do something so often, it can easily become a habit. 

If you feel like you don’t have the time to reach out to friends and family, go ahead and set regular reminders for yourself. 

When that reminder goes off, all you need to do is call or text one friend to check in and say hi.

Create a Routine 

Solo spontaneous outings and adventures can be a lot of fun – but so can routine.

Having a set weekly or even bi-weekly get-together scheduled in your calendar will eliminate the need to text back and forth to figure out logistics.

It may take some planning at first, but it will be worth it. 

Work Towards Common Goals

Goals are very personal and should be done for you and only you.

You should never feel pressured to do something you don’t want to do because you feel like it’ll make your friend happy.

However, if you and a friend share the same goal, you can definitely work towards it together. 

That way, you can experience the journey together and even bounce ideas off one another.

Let’s say you and a friend both want to become fluent in French. Quizzing one another or watching French movies together can help make the overall process a little more fun and even deepen your relationship. 

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Honoring Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Jaclyn Baker

May is a time to honor and recognize the achievements in past generations of Asian American and Pacific Islanders throughout history. During this month, we remember the lives of many through the numerous stories either told from loved ones or written down in the textbooks we read. 

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is about celebrating the contributions and influences made in the past that have paved the way for our future. It’s important to acknowledge and understand those who have come before us whether it’s through watching a documentary, reading a nonfiction book, or having an open discussion with friends. To learn more about the history and culture, you can also attend online panels and listen to knowledge passed down from key speakers. 

Get involved this month by signing up for online events hosted by the Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institution, and much more. You can learn more by visiting asianpacificheritage.gov. 

Be the Change

Darcy Knight

 

In remembrance of George Floyd and the hundreds of other people of color that have died during interactions with police, we wanted to share this message from former President Obama as he recognizes the struggle while still looking for the hope.  We have made strides, AND there is still a lot of work to be done.  Let’s continue to work together to do our part to bring about systemic change.

 

“George Floyd was murdered one year ago today. Since then, hundreds more Americans have died in encounters with police—parents, sons, daughters, friends taken from us far too soon, but the last year has also given us reasons to hope. Today, more people in more places are seeing the world more clearly than they did a year ago, it’s a tribute to all those who decided that this time would be different—and that they, in their own ways, would help make it different.”

If you want to find ways to take action, there are some good resources here