Beyond the Hustle

Tag: motivation

  • Staying Motivated in an Unmotivated World

    “The world is full of wonder for those with eyes to see.” — Unknown

    Some days it feels like we’re all swimming against the current, doesn’t it? We wake up with good intentions, only to be met with headlines and algorithms designed to divide us, overwhelm us, or convince us that the world is falling apart.

    And when you’re constantly bombarded with negativity, staying motivated becomes a real challenge.

    But here’s the truth: 👉🏼 we have far more in common than the media wants us to believe. We’re all humans navigating a busy, messy, beautiful life the best we can. And especially during the holidays, a season that should be meaningful and magical, motivation can dip hard.

    For some, this time of year brings joy. For others, it brings pressure, loneliness, grief, financial stress, or the temptation to say, “Screw it,” abandon routines, and spiral.

    Your diet? Your fitness? Your sleep? Your habits? All of it can feel harder to hold onto right now.

    But I want to gently remind you of something: You can make this season glorious…if you enter it with intention.

    Let’s Talk About Intention

    Think back to when you were a child. Christmas was full of magic and wonder, right?

    You didn’t need a reason to believe that something special was coming.
    You didn’t need motivation… you just felt it.

    As adults, we lose that spark.
    We forget what it feels like to sit and dream.
    To slow down.
    To look for beauty.
    To expect goodness.

    But intention brings the magic back. When we decide to look for joy, to create moments, to weave meaning into the season, it changes everything.

    Intention isn’t perfection. Let me say it again, intention isn’t perfection.
    It’s direction.

    So if you’re feeling unmotivated, disconnected, or overwhelmed, here are small but powerful things you can start today that help recharge your mindset, bring back the magic, and anchor you into a better season.

    10 Ways to Bring Back Magic, Motivation & Meaning This Season

    1. Start Your Day With a “Stillness Moment”

    Just 5 minutes. No phone. No noise. Sit with your breath, a warm drink, a candle…something grounding.

    2. Make a December “Joy List”

    Write down 10 things that genuinely spark joy—small or big—and schedule them into your month.

    3. Listen to One Motivational Podcast

    A great one:
    🎧 The Ed Mylett Show
    Perfect for getting back into a powerful mindset.

    4. Read a Book That Re-energizes You

    A beautiful seasonal choice:
    📚 The Comfort Book by Matt Haig
    Short, hopeful reflections that feel like a deep breath.

    5. Set Three Non-Negotiable Goals for the Month

    Keep them simple:

    • Move 20 minutes a day
    • Drink enough water
    • Sleep 7 hours
    • Journal nightly…you don’t need big goals, just consistent ones.

    6. Create a “Digital Boundary Window”

    Turn off news + notifications for at least one hour each night.
    Your nervous system will thank you.

    7. Inject Some Play Into Your Day

    Adults don’t play enough. Bake. Color. Walk through Christmas lights. Watch a holiday movie. Play brings back wonder automatically.

    8. Do One Kind Thing Each Week

    Giving fuels motivation. Write a card, donate gently used items, pay for someone’s coffee, or leave a positive review for a small business.

    9. Reconnect With Someone You Miss

    A text. A call. A coffee date. Connection builds purpose, and purpose builds motivation.

    10. End Each Day With a “Magic Moment Check-In”

    Ask yourself: What was one small moment that felt good today? It rewires your brain toward gratitude and hope.

    A Final Thought

    Motivation doesn’t always appear on its own—sometimes we have to intentionally create space for it. Even in an unmotivated world. Especially now.

    But if you can slow down, breathe deeper, find wonder again, and choose intention… this season can become one of the most meaningful ones you’ve had in years.

    ✨ You deserve a December filled with magic and momentum.
    ✨ And you’re far more in control of that than it might feel today.

    Please share this post with a friend or family member who might need a seasonal boost right now. And, if you missed my recent post, Don’t Go Into The Holidays Without a Plan, you can catch it 👉🏼 here.

    Live boldly,

    Denise xo

  • Mid-Year Isn’t the End—It’s a Reset Point

    Can you believe the first half of the year is almost behind us?

    It feels like we were just setting intentions in January, mapping out goals, getting organized, and telling ourselves, “This is my year.” And now here we are… staring down the second half of 2025.

    Maybe life threw you a curveball. Maybe your priorities shifted. Maybe you just lost momentum (we’ve all been there). That doesn’t mean your goals aren’t still worth pursuing, it just means now’s the time to lock back in.

    The second half of the year gives you:

    • 26 weeks of possibility
    • 182 days to make progress
    • Countless chances to show up differently

    It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing what matters. With intention. With clarity. With energy that supports where you want to go, not just where you’ve been.

    Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today, even more importantly, tomorrow! ~Me

    Questions to Ask Yourself Right Now

    If you’re not sure where to begin, start here. Carve out 10 minutes and journal these out:

    • What did I want to create or change this year?
    • What progress have I made (even the small wins)?
    • What’s gotten in my way?
    • What needs to shift in the next 6 months?
    • What do I want to feel proud of by the end of the year?

    The goal isn’t perfection, it’s alignment. It’s choosing to return to your why, even if the how looks different now.

    Let’s Finish Strong—Together (I’m ready!)

    I’ll be sharing more ideas in the coming weeks to help you refocus, reset, and finish the year strong, whether it’s through wellness routines, mindset practices, business clarity, or just showing up for yourself in a more meaningful way.

    But for today, here’s what I want you to know: You don’t have to wait for “perfect timing.” You just have to choose to show up now. One step. One shift. One day at a time.

    We’re in this together, and there’s still so much room to rise. Below is a list of tools to help you kick some real ass the second half of the year.

    🧠 Mindset & Clarity

    • The Five Minute Journal – Simple daily gratitude and goal-setting
    • Insight Timer or Calm App – Guided meditations and breathwork
    • High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard – A great read or audiobook for momentum

    📅 Planning & Productivity

    • Google Calendar – For blocking focused work, workouts, or rest
    • Asana – Visual task management (great for business + personal projects)

    💪 Wellness & Energy

    • AllTrails App – For finding trails and staying active outdoors (I can’t live without this one!)
    • Make Wellness Peptides – (of course!) to support energy, focus, hydration & recovery
    • MyFitnessPal – For tracking nutrition and movement goals

    📈 Business & Branding

    • Canva – Create stunning graphics, social posts, and promo content easily
    • Flodesk – Simple, beautiful email marketing (great for small business owners)

    🧾 Reflection & Reset

    • Quarterly Goal Review Template (create your own or download a freebie)
    • Whiteboard or Sticky Notes Wall – Sometimes old-school visuals help new ideas flow (this is totally me!)
    • Spotify “Focus” or “Confidence Boost” Playlists – Because music changes everything

    Let’s lock in and finish this year with purpose and intention.

    You with me?

    Denise xo

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