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I have once again taken something of a “break” from blogging. After all the conversation and debate of the last few weeks, I found myself drawing a complete blank regarding where to go next – how to follow up something that inspired such fascinating conversation. Despite the many [...]]]>

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I have once again taken something of a “break” from blogging. After all the conversation and debate of the last few weeks, I found myself drawing a complete blank regarding where to go next – how to follow up something that inspired such fascinating conversation. Despite the many hundreds of blogs devoted to topics such as being motivated, getting things done, etc. I do not believe that pushing ahead is always the answer, and in this instance, giving in to my own lack of motivation and general deficit of ideas has, I believe, been just what I needed.

Sometimes, when the usual sources of inspiration are not forthcoming and one’s heart really isn’t fully in the task, I think it’s best to just give in, rest, and try again later.

Here’s what I do when I’m devoid of motivation and nothing seems to work:

• Unplug – Not necessarily from all technology but certainly the “blogosphere” and related parts of the Internet. Staring at my WordPress dashboard is pointless, reading other blogs makes me feel (irrationally) guilty for not posting to mine and when the usual sources of inspiration such as Flickr, etc. have come up with nothing, continuing to look at them is just frustrating.
• Avoid – Close the notebooks, put the piles of post-its in a safe place and stop looking at them. The more I puzzle over things and try to link my notes together into something worth posting, the more irritated I become, so putting them away and ignoring them for a while means that when I go back to them I look at them with a fresh perspective.
• Wind Down – The body too but particularly the mind, if I’ve been thinking extensively about things and yet being unable to accomplish anything, I know it’s time to switch off. For me this involves doing something entertaining that requires very little intellectual effort such as watching “light” TV shows and movies (Buffy has been my mainstay this week) and reading trashy magazines. Winding down the body is important too, and I tend to use the hour or so per night I would spend reading blogs to get an early night instead, or to have a relaxing hot (and / or alcoholic) drink curled up comfortably on the sofa.
• Indulge – Lack of motivation and ideas tends, for me, to go hand in hand with an overall feeling of restlessness and apathy. More often than not this is indicative of feeling generally low, so in times like these I indulge my whims, where I am able to. I treat myself to tasty food, no matter how unhealthy, or I buy myself something pretty. Shallow? Very, but every little helps!

I usually find that by giving into what my body, mind and / or soul wants and needs is sometimes the only way to get back on the right track feeling rejuvenated and motivated once more. All the motivational tips, to-do lists and inspiring websites are great, but on occasion they’re just not enough, and a break is what is needed to “reset” and re-awaken my creativity again.

How do you find your motivation when it seems to be lacking? Do you ever just give in and take a break from everything?

Making 2009 Sparkle is a series of posts which will be made throughout the year dealing with both my endeavours to make 2009 the best year ever, and any tips and information I pick up on the way! Part of this effort will be a series of posts [...]]]>

Image by Pink Sherbet Photography

Making 2009 Sparkle is a series of posts which will be made throughout the year dealing with both my endeavours to make 2009 the best year ever, and any tips and information I pick up on the way! Part of this effort will be a series of posts focusing on ways to change one’s life, of which I intend to “road-test” one per month in the hope that it will have a positive effect on my life, and if so others may be encouraged to try it too. These posts will be made on the first Monday of each month, with updates given at intervals as I progress with the task.

This month, I have decided to try EFT, or Emotional Freedom Techniques as the name stands for. For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, the official EFT homepage states that

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is an emotional, needle free version of acupuncture that is based on new discoveries regarding the connection between your body’s subtle energies, your emotions, and your health. EFT has been reported successful in thousands of cases covering a huge range of emotional, health and performance issues. It often works where nothing else will. (emofree.com, 2009)

I originally read about EFT, like some of you probably did, in Gala’s excellent article and its follow-ups. It intrigued me at the time, but I never really got around to trying it properly. This month, I intend to make EFT my first port of call when I come across a problem (within reason of course) and see how it affects my life. I get writers’ block quite regularly so I’m hoping in particular that it will help with this, and also assist me in focusing more on my law coursework and reading.

I’d love to hear the experiences of other people who’ve tried EFT, so if you have, please let me know how you found it! Also, if anyone feels like joining in and trying EFT for the first time this month, please keep me posted on how it goes! It’d be awesome to have input from others! If you do decide to join in, as well as downloading the EFT Manual, try watching Gala’s video in this post, in which she explains a great technique to get started with right away. Her follow-up posts, “More EFT Information” and “EFT Tips and Tricks” will also no doubt be essential reading and I’ll be looking back on them at regular intervals to make sure I’m not missing anything.

Of course, if I find EFT to be as life-changing as Gala and many others say it is, and I really hope I do, I’ll be thrilled and be sure to make it a permanent part of my life! I’m looking forward to what I hope will be an amazing month of discovery!

What do you think of this feature? Do you have any recommendations for me to try out in later months? It can be anything from unique forms of exercise to dietary changes (I’m thinking of going vegan for a month at some point, though probably in the summer as I think I’ll find it easier when it’s warmer)  or even a new hobby or passtime.

Wish me luck!

xx