21 Little Ways to Motivate Yourself
I’ve been lacking a little in the motivation department with the end of the school year drawing closer, so I made a little list of ways to help you stay focused until the end!
Play your favorite song as you work through your PSET/essay/application/thing you don’t wanna do.
Make yourself a hot cup of tea (or coffee!) in a fun mug.
Write your to-do list on a piece of pretty stationary with a pretty pen.
Set a timer and race yourself to finish things faster.
Use your imagination - your English paper doesn’t HAVE to be an English paper, it can be a Hogwart’s assignment. Sounds silly, but it works for me!
Find a new place to study. Cute coffee shop? Balcony with a nice view? New section of the library? Heck, just doing your HW on the floor instead of your desk can be more engaging.
Dress up. You don’t even have to go anywhere, sometimes putting on proper clothing can switch your mindset.
Conversely, you can find your comfiest PJs and fluffy socks and wear those.
Put your hair up so it’s not in the way. When I’m focusing, my hair has to be in a ponytail so I’m not fiddling with it.
Get a snack, preferably something healthy(ish). Drink some H2O.
Write motivational quotes on sticky notes and stick them around your study space. Or write them on your hand so you see it often.
At the very least, put your books where you can see them. Out of sight, out of mind!
Same goes for anything you need to get done (laundry, forms you’re supposed to fill out, anything goes!)
Go for a walk around the block and spend some time in fresh air. Jog, if you’re feeling up for it.
Stretch out your muscles, roll out your shoulders, touch your toes. You’ll feel better if you’re not all tight and sore.
Put on some lipstick. For some reason, red lipstick always makes me feel like a boss (even if I’m chilling in a hoodie and sweatpants).
Write out the reasons you started in the first place. Put that list somewhere you can see it [see #12].
Take a power nap. I just get a fluffy blanket and sleep right on my desk.
Talk to someone supportive. Parents? Best friend? Roommate? Your cat/dog/parakeet/goldfish?
Stand in front of the mirror and power pose. Yes, you’ll feel ridiculous. But it works.