Why do we lose motivation?
There are many reasons why someone can lose motivation. People can lose motivation when they feel overwhelmed, whether it’s from work, home, big life changes, mental health conditions, or more. Loss of motivation could be due to having self-doubts and a lack of confidence, or it could simply be due to losing interest in something, like work, a hobby, or a relationship.
It’s important to note that we’re not always going to feel motivated 24/7. Just because you’ve lost motivation now, doesn’t mean you’ll never be motivated or interested again. By understanding how you’re feeling and discovering the reasons why you’re feeling demotivated, you can start applying strategies to get back to feeling like yourself again.
Common things that cause demotivation
Big life changes or stressful jobs are noticeable causes of demotivation, but there are many less obvious factors or personal habits that contribute to feeling a lack of drive like:
- Having an unsupportive environment
- Eating unhealthy foods
- Having a poor sleep schedule
- Substance abuse
- Lack of direction or not knowing what you want
How can you fix your loss of motivation?
The first step to feeling excited about reaching your goals again is to figure out why you’re feeling unmotivated to begin with. Maybe you feel disappointed in yourself for not reaching your target, but in reality, you’ve set the target too high and need to set more reasonable expectations. Maybe you’re working too hard and depriving your body of essentials, like sleep and healthy food. Or maybe you’re feeling down and just need some support. Practicing self-compassion and self-acceptance during times when you’re demotivated is more effective in bouncing back from setbacks, vs. beating yourself up for failures.
Mental health professionals, like therapists or social workers, can help you identify why you’re experiencing a loss of motivation and offer an effective action plan. If you’re struggling with how to start or need an outside perspective, try talking to one of our professionals today.