Dear Motivation, I’m done with you!

You might think I've lost my mind, and perhaps I have—at least the part that clung to the concept of motivation.

But before you judge, let me explain. If you’re a rebel writer like myself, you might find value in this perspective as it can alleviate stress. The conventional wisdom of motivation simply wasn’t working for me. If you're content with it, then this might not resonate.

Rebel writers delve into their inner selves to share beauty with the world, which means it's essential to keep our spirits free from mental clutter.

Many of us are here to uplift others in some unique fashion, making it crucial to detox any negativity that can impede our creative journeys.

We need to be acutely aware of the myriad ideas floating around us daily, waiting for us to seize them. Inspiration is abundant!

We flourish when we allow these thoughts to take root within us, giving them the space they need to flourish.

If you're open to it, know that breaking up with the trickster known as motivation is perfectly acceptable. It tries to convince you that it's essential for success, but that’s a misconception.

Once you release it, it will move on to someone else.

Ultimately, you won’t miss it—unless you're addicted to the hype as I once was. But it's possible to overcome that, and I’ll share how I managed it.

Now, here’s the crucial point if you plan to sever ties with this manipulative force: it will resist. Why? Because your mind is a powerful machine, and motivation has embedded itself in your mental framework.

To truly move on from it and alleviate the stress it brings, you'll need to replace it with something more fulfilling. That’s exactly what I did.

Read on, courageous writer!

First, it’s essential to understand why I decided to part ways with motivation after years of hearing success coaches tout its importance (which is, frankly, unrealistic).

An intriguing revelation occurred on my path to success.

I began to see that motivation and I were incompatible. My mind, heart, and spirit reacted negatively whenever I felt I should be motivated, leading to stress and frustration. Carrying that weight felt burdensome, and I felt stifled.

It was akin to dating someone for a year and then questioning what you ever found appealing about them!

I often felt compelled to push myself to be productive, as if my life depended on it. This pressure was deeply uncomfortable, and forcing myself felt like resisting the natural flow of the universe.

Having worked with numerous burned-out clients as a therapist, I recognized the emotional toll of this pressure and realized it was time to let go of that compulsion.

I amicably broke up with motivation without casting it in a negative light, understanding it just didn’t fit into my vision of success and tranquility.

What took its place? Inspiration. It brought joy, peace, and a renewed sense of connection with the universe I rely on. The burden of motivation lifted, allowing me to create freely.

Inspiration represents an entirely different realm for my spirit.

According to the dictionary, inspiration involves being mentally stimulated to create, encompassing artistry, originality, and imagination. In contrast, motivation feels somewhat bland.

While motivation made me feel like a machine operating under duress, inspiration ignites my inner passion and fills me with excitement, propelling me forward without force.

How do I maintain my inspiration?

I have a morning and evening routine that has served me well since my deep dive into Quantum Physics decades ago.

I discovered that my focus alters my reality. When I force anything with undue pressure, I project tension into everything I acknowledge. However, when I view my day as a source of inspiration, it responds positively and flows smoothly.

My routine: Each night, I go to bed feeling joyful and inspired.

I visualize this outcome, without needing to know exactly how it will unfold, assuming it will manifest perfectly. I express gratitude for the abundant inspiration I receive daily.

Then, each morning, I repeat this practice to kickstart my day. It works wonders.

For me, motivation equated to burnout—too much pressure to succeed. I grew weary of its constant presence.

It also heightened my risk of anxiety, depression, and distress, robbing me of peace and enjoyment in life. As someone who doesn't typically experience depression, that was unacceptable.

I wasn't alone. About 65% of my clients faced burnout after delving into the depths of motivation. They were losing their brilliance and joy, turning each day into a struggle for motivation and performance, leading to unnecessary stress and illness.

I understood that feeling.

And just as I advised my clients, it was time for me to establish firm boundaries with my thoughts and time. That’s when I dismissed motivation and welcomed inspiration into my life.

Bottom line: The relentless pursuit of motivation was unsustainable for my mental well-being.

It distanced me from my authentic self, clouding my vision for my life. The joyful, creative energy within me felt suppressed.

To solidify inspiration as my daily companion, I wrote vows and symbolically married myself to my beliefs.

Yes, I held a formal ceremony with a pastor from my Science of Mind church and friends to mark this lifelong commitment. I wore a wedding dress and recited my vows aloud. One friend, a talented singer, even adapted an old hymn, singing “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” with the words changed to “and I know He watches Lee.”

It was a remarkable day I will forever cherish.

Now, you may not need to go to such lengths to affirm your commitment to inspiration, but I knew that if I dedicated myself to it, it would reciprocate. My rebel writer's soul yearned for that ritual.

Only you can determine what resonates with you. This was my path, and I’m grateful to have ended my relationship with motivation for good.

Inspiration grants me the freedom to soar!

You can soar as well. I believe in your potential.

Happy Writing!