We Can Do Hard Things: An Ode to Motivation
I am curious. What inspires you to do something you should do and you know is good for you, only… you really don’t want to do it?
That’s the way my twin and I felt a few days ago...we both knew we ought to walk; however, the day was exceedingly windy and gray in Edmond, Oklahoma (where my twin resides), and misty, gray, and chilly for me here in Vancouver, Washington.
We discussed and agreed that walking makes us feel physically and mentally great. Then, she and I reminisced about a particular walk that brought us joy, referring to a brisk walk along the Washougal, Washington Lewis and Clark Heritage Trail (Dike Trail). That particular morning was sunny and warm, and the scenic snow-covered Mt Hood in the background and the slow-moving Columbia River along the side made our beautiful nature walk complete.
A happy memory with my twin!
While the picture-perfect scenery and just-right weather conditions noted above were conducive by themselves to exercise outdoors, my twin and I felt the walk “together” was key despite the current weather.
So, she and I texted each other until ready to head out on our separate paths. We continued our cell phone chat until we arrived back at our respective homes. We felt grateful for our time together, a sense of relief for completing a highly meaningful physical activity, and the jump-start energy it produced for the rest of the day.
Musings on Motivation from a Professional Organizer (and Her Twin.)
Another favorite activity we share, along with walking, is identifying and discussing our perceived family’s (and clients’) organizing challenges.
Together, we identify these pressing issues: stacks of unread computer-printed articles, hundreds of unread books, an abundance of unused tools, hobby items, and multiples of different products located in the garage. Then, our brainstorming leads to possible and acceptable solutions for those involved.
Sometimes, just sharing ideas helps us figure out how to encourage others to begin or complete “put-off” actions like more physical activity or reducing large quantities of unused items from their homes.
Body Doubling for Motivation and Getting Started on a Task You Don’t Want to Do
An additional and helpful technique to try, and used by many Professional Organizers, is named “body doubling.” Body doubling is a productivity technique where a person works alongside someone else - either in person or virtually - to stay focused and accountable. The presence of another person, even if they are not actively participating in the same task, helps reduce distractions, increase motivation, and improve task completion.
If you don’t have someone available to sit next to you, try Merve, a popular body-doubling “study with me” YouTube channel. Merve offers a quiet study environment to work with her and motivate you to start, with ten-minute breaks every 50 minutes.
The body-doubling technique is especially beneficial for individuals with ADHD, as it provides external structure and helps with task initiation and follow-through. Body doubling is commonly used for work, studying, household chores, and organizing tasks.
How or what finally prompts you to start a task, project, or activity that you would otherwise avoid? I find the subject of motivation intriguing and would like to hear your thoughts about it if you care to do so.
About Cathy Sevier
Cathy Sevier has been helping people simplify their lives and get organized for over 16 years. As the founder of Scattered Possessions, she provides a compassionate and encouraging environment for clients facing their toughest organizational challenges. Known for her calm demeanor, patience, and kindness, Cathy helps her clients reclaim their time and focus on what matters most. You can learn more about Cathy here.
Old Towels? Donate to Your Local Humane Society.
One question I often hear from clients after reducing what is stored in their linen closets is where to donate extra and unneeded towels. This subject came up during one of my frequent chats with my Edmond, Oklahoma sister as we often toss around ideas about the organizing process.
In front: Costello and Dewey to the right. Abbott behind Dewey and Zeeba behind Abbot.
After my sister and brother-in-law moved from Plano, TX to Edmond, OK, they purchased new towels for their home. This resulted in an excess of older towels, and a little story about their four dogs.
Their dogs Dewey and Zeeba were adopted from a Plano animal shelter, and brothers Abbott and Costello, affectionately known as Bott and Cossie, were dumped at a dump.
After they were rescued, a lady at a local farm store north of Plano offered them for adoption and my sister wanted to give them a home. Thus, four big dogs became a part of their family. Although towels were needed to wipe 16 muddy paws, before the dogs could come inside after roaming an acre of land, and to wipe up indoor mishaps, they still had more towels than they wanted to store. While tending four large dogs, my sister called animal care facilities to find out if they could use towels. This dog/towel story gave me the idea to write a blog post about donating towels to places other than the usual human donation sites.
Consider donating your excess and still serviceable towels to your local humane society, veterinarian, or animal shelter to help in the care of our furry animal friends throughout their stay.
I recommend calling first to find out what their towel needs are and to find out where to drop them off. There are many places in Vancouver and surrounding areas. Here are a few to try:
Gifts: Two You Can Give Yourself
I originally wrote the post below on May 18, 2013 and in reviewing all my previous blog posts, I decided to update this one because it is still relevant. What is different? Most recent and what continues today is hazardous air quality due to a multitude of falling fire ash that permeates the air. Before that, I walked most summer days. Prior to the fire fallout, COVID-19 stopped my attendance at Patti’s Vinyasa Flow yoga class because the gym closed. I enjoyed her class for many years. I still need exercise for my mental and physical well being and found a Vinyasa Flow yoga class similar to Patti’s on Amazon Prime Video called Yummy Yoga Flow, which is my one exercise pleasure at the moment. My May 18, 2013 post follows:
Exercise is a gift you can give yourself! It is a journey for your body, mind, and eventually...your soul, said Yoga Instructor Patti during Sunday's Yoga class. I thought about her statement and decided it applies to learning a new exercise and getting organized too. Each starts with a thought about the act, and then requires action, practice, and maintenance; benefits follow.
One example: I happened to watch Dancing with the Stars and sometime after that, I noticed Zumba listed on my gym's group-exercise schedule. I thought Zumba would be a fun way to get in shape...several weeks later I made it to my first Zumba class where I claimed the corner of the back row where no one could catch my "fumbles." Five minutes into the class...I was hooked! Each class gets easier because patterns repeat and our instructor's speed is just right for me, plus my fitness level continues to increase. You will now find me front and center having fun!
You might watch a TV Show or magazine article about organizing and decide you want to improve some space in your home. You think about it for awhile before you decide to call someone to help you get started (professional organizer/coach). While you may not find bringing order to your spaces fun like Zumba is for me, your skill level will get better with practice; it gets easier to make decisions about and let go of unneeded and unused items; and performing routine maintenance will help preserve order in your home.
Scheduled upkeep of spaces and regular exercise both bring improved balance, mental clarity, increased confidence, and energy into your life.
How Reading Inspiring Words Help Us Navigate Our Daily Live
My daughter-in-law Amy and I purchased coffee from a Honolulu coffee shop during our vacation there a couple of years ago. She noticed the quotes on the back of the sugar packets, so we stood there and read them while waiting on my coffee. Three of my favorite sugar packet quotes are:
“Strength is not the absence of weakness but how we wrestle with our weaknesses.”
“Success is when we turn our stumbling blocks into building blocks.”
“Time is an orchard; every moment is ripe with opportunity.”
These inspiring thoughts were written by poet-philosopher Noah benShea for rough patches and opportunities most all of us surely experience on our life journey, throughout our country, especially now while living through COVID19, political and human unrest, wild fires, flooding, and hurricanes, etc. Read more uplifting and motivating words from Noah benShea’s Ten Truths to Get You Through Tough Times.