As we pass the halfway point of 2021, you may be feeling your motivation waning. The middle of the year often slows our lives down. It’s colder weather, the Christmas break and continuous public holidays are a distant memory, you’ve been dealing with lockdowns and home schooling, and right now the end of the year seems sooooo far away. We totally get it. And the good news is that you’re not alone…it’s actually quite common to feel this way!
Below are some simple strategies to help you overcome the mid-year slump, and finish 2021 strong.
The dreaded G-word
That’s right. Goals! Now’s a great quiet time to look at them if you had some in place for this year. How are you tracking? Have you done the things you planned by this time? Are you still enjoying what you’re doing? These are important questions to ask, as you might find the root cause of your motivational problems. Now is also a good time to reassess your goals to decide if they are realistic. Making goals for yourself that may be impossible to achieve will only make you feel worse if you don’t reach them.
Stay on top of your health
Without your health you will struggle to get through the day, let alone the rest of 2021. Here’s a few things to keep on top of:
- Incorporate some form of exercise into your week. Don’t be daunted by recommendations of 30 mins a day either – anything is better than nothing! Start with 10 mins every second day and increase by a few minutes each week so you reach a healthy level in no time. Even 10 mins of stretching each day will do wonders for your heart, limbs and joints.
- Change your toothbrush! Seems like such a small insignificant thing doesn’t it? But if your toothbrush is older than 3 months, or the bristles are fraying, it’s time for a new one! Keeping a toothbrush for too long can cause plaque buildup in your mouth which causes bad breath and may lead to other health problems. And on that note, incorporate some regular flossing into your dental routine. It’s vital for fresh breath and healthy gums.
- Go for any check-ups you’ve been putting off. If you have any specific or even general health concerns, it’s good to book an appointment with your GP. Make a list of all the little things you want to ask, get blood tests, have your vitals checked and include a skin check.
De-clutter your spaces
It’s a bit chilly outside so now is the perfect time to be at home in comfy warm clothes and do some de-cluttering. Just start with one little area – even the dreaded junk drawer – and chuck out, re-purpose or donate anything you haven’t used in 12 months. Trust me. If you haven’t used it (or worn it) in that long – you won’t miss it! De-cluttering your surroundings will also help to de-clutter your mind and give you a much needed sense of achievement. Go you!
Plan a getaway
We know how hard it is to plan anything these days but what we do now know from 18 months of doing this covid life in Australia is that even if we have to cancel a getaway there will be an opportunity to re-book or re-do the trip (even if it looks a little different to what you had planned originally). So book that trip (just make sure you are able to change the date or cancel if you need to) just have a plan B or C up your sleeve in case you need it.
