> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://achronicvoice.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # #ProjChronicWisdom: Secret Motivation Tips for When You’re Unmotivated - URL: https://achronicvoice.com/projchronicwisdom-motivation-tips/ - Published: 2017-05-05T02:30:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-01-08T14:08:14.000Z - Author: Sheryl Chan - Tags: Community, Chronic Illness, Mental Health, Self-Care, Personal Development ## Your Best Motivation Tips are Sorely Needed When you live with chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and/or mental health issues, it's easy to feel unmotivated. I've felt that way many times, especially when depression nudges itself rudely into the mix. Everything becomes laborious, and [**I just want to lie in bed and stare at the ceiling**](https://achronicvoice.com/today-is-not-a-good-day/), whilst feeling overwhelmed with guilt. Over the years, I've learned that a 'bad day' - whether of a physical or mental nature - carry equal weight. I've learned that it's okay to rest and try to feel better, even if it's all 'in my head'. In fact, sometimes, I feel the mental aspects of living with chronic illness to be tougher than the pain in and of itself. *\*Disclaimer: This article is meant for educational purposes, and is based on my personal experiences as a patient. *I am not a doctor, and nothing in this article should be substituted for medical advice.* Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding *any* new treatment protocols. This post may also contain affiliate links. It will cost you nothing to click on them. I will get a small referral fee from purchases you make, which helps with the maintenance of this blog. Read our* [***Privacy Policy***](https://achronicvoice.com/privacy-policy/)*page for more information. Thank you!* Read Related Posts: - [A String of Bad Days (and What Happened When That Good Day Finally Came Along)](https://achronicvoice.com/bad-days-good-day-finally-came/) - [How to be a Positive Thinker: Without the Unicorns & Rainbows](https://achronicvoice.com/positive-thinker-without-unicorns-rainbows/) - [You Don’t Have to be Strong, Just a Little Stronger Than Before](https://achronicvoice.com/you-dont-have-to-be-strong/) - [I Have No Purpose in Life, and Therein Lies My Life Purpose](https://achronicvoice.com/i-have-no-purpose-in-life/) - [Sometimes, Physical Pain Isn’t the Worst Part About Chronic Illness](https://achronicvoice.com/worst-part-about-chronic-illness/) Pin to Your Chronic Illness & Motivation Boards: ![#projChronicWisdom: Secret Motivation Tips for When You’re Unmotivated](https://cdn.achronicvoice.com/secret-motivation-tips-unmotivated-roundup.jpg) ## Theme #1: Motivation Tips for the Unmotivated Days This project, #ProjChronicWisdom (or "Project Chronic Wisdom"), is a series where people share their best tips for living with various aspects of chronic illness. This is the first instalment in the series, where they share their best motivation tips for when they're feeling unmotivated. **You are welcome to contribute your best motivation tip as well at the end of the post 🙂** ### The Wider the Perspectives, the Better I personally view each new perspective as an additional tool in the coping toolkit. They can even be two opposing actions or thoughts. What matter is context, because we need different tools to deal with different problems, for different periods in our life. Check out the following motivation tips from the chronic illness community, and let me know which you'll be adding to your coping toolkit in the comments below 🙂 View More in the #ProjChronicWisdom Series: - *Secret Motivation Tips for When You’re Unmotivated (this post)* - [Things I Find Beautiful in My Everyday Life Despite the Pain](https://achronicvoice.com/projchronicwisdom-beautiful-life-despite-pain/) - [Simple Pleasures I Can Enjoy While Stuck in Bed with Pain](https://achronicvoice.com/projchronicwisdom-simple-pleasures-enjoy-pain/) ### Julie Holliday [ ](https://www.themecfsholisticcoach.com/) [ ](https://www.facebook.com/TheMecfsHolisticCoach) [ ](https://www.instagram.com/ME%5FCFS%5FHolistic%5FCoach/) “We need to think small and learn to place value on those small achievements. If you think about a strong man who pulls a lorry and a marathon runner, both are amazing achievements even though the strong man is only walking about 100 yards and the marathon runner is running 26 miles.” --- “First of all, we need to really believe that it will get us where we want it to. Then we have to show our subconscious how much more we will benefit from the new behaviour.” --- “Instead of seeing the distance to our goal, we need to pay attention to the fact that we are closing the gap.” --- *\*Disclaimer: The three excerpts from Julie Holliday are republished here with her permission. The were originally published in her post, “[How to be More Effective in Your Self Care](https://www.mecfsselfhelpguru.com/2017/04/how-to-be-more-effective-with-your-self-care.html)”.* *Julie was also the first participant in my podcast! Check it out here: “[Episode 1: Sick Lessons from Julie Holliday on Acceptance & Choosing to Have Faith](https://sicklessons.com/julie-holliday-acceptance/)*”. ### Terry Mayfield [ ](https://www.instagram.com/terrymmayfield) [ ](https://x.com/terrymmayfield) “Prayer and positive thoughts keep me going, even if I’m stationary. Keeping my **[focus on gratitude](https://achronicvoice.com/value-gratitude/)**; appreciating the small victories. Refusing to let illness steal my joy.” ### Claire Saul [ ](https://painpalsblog.com/) [ ](https://www.facebook.com/painpalsblog) [ ](https://www.instagram.com/painpalsblog) [ ](https://x.com/ClaireSaul1) [ ](https://www.pinterest.com/painpalsblog/) “When I was a palliative care nurse I used to tell people I was an ordinary woman doing an extraordinary job; now on low days I tell myself that I am still doing an extraordinary job, in an extraordinary body!” ### Tom Seaman [ ](https://tomseamancoaching.com/) [ ](https://www.facebook.com/TomSeamanAuthor) [ ](https://x.com/Dystoniabook1) “When you are feeling down, reach out and help someone else.” Pin to Your Chronic Pain & Motivation Tips Boards: ![Motivation Tips from the Chronic Illness Community](https://cdn.achronicvoice.com/motivation-tips-chronic-illness-community.jpg) ### Rhiann Johns [ ](https://www.brainlesionandme.com/) [ ](https://www.facebook.com/MyBrainLesionAndMe) [ ](https://www.instagram.com/serenebutterfly/) [ ](https://x.com/serenebutterfly) [ ](https://uk.pinterest.com/serenebutterfly/) “I look back at what I have achieved on my worst days and times when I didn’t think I could to remind me I can.” ### Lovely with Lupus [ ](https://lovelywithlupus.org/) [ ](https://x.com/LovelywithLupus) “If I am discouraged, I try to get in touch with my sense of humor, because that almost always gives me breathing space and brightens my perspective.” ### Julie Holliday [ ](https://www.themecfsholisticcoach.com/) [ ](https://www.facebook.com/TheMecfsHolisticCoach) [ ](https://www.instagram.com/ME%5FCFS%5FHolistic%5FCoach/) “When my motivation is particularly low, I accept it, let it go and trust that it will pick up again soon. As long as I don’t try to force it, it always does!” ### Super Pooped [ ](https://superpooped.blogspot.com/) [ ](https://www.instagram.com/superpoopedblog/) “I think of this quote by Rumi, ‘You’ve seen my descent. Now watch my rising.’”. --- “I think to myself, ‘If that’s what it takes’, because I know resting works and that it’ll help, even if it’s hard to do.” ### Jay Armstrong [ ](https://x.com/writeonfighton) “Create. Creating is a profoundly constructive way to distance yourself from your pain, to remind yourself that you’re still a thunderous force.” --- “Color, draw, sculpt, build a bird house, make Christmas ornaments, restore an old car, get crazy with a crock pot. **[Create to reclaim your power](https://achronicvoice.com/fun-things-to-do-while-recovering-from-surgery/)**. Create to make your soul sing.” ### Not Just Tired “I make myself a nice mug of green tea which I find helps to lift my energy levels. Also by taking ten minutes to sit and enjoy it I can psyche myself up to get going again!” ### Laura’s Pen [ ](https://laurachamberlain.co.uk/) [ ](https://www.facebook.com/lauraspenblog) [ ](https://www.instagram.com/lauras%5Fpen/) [ ](https://x.com/lauras%5Fpen) [ ](https://www.pinterest.com/lauraspenblog/) [ ](https://www.youtube.com/laurachamberlain) “‪Think only about what you need to achieve right now. Don’t worry about what lies ahead. Sit up in bed. Congratulate yourself. Move on to the next task‬.” ### Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice [ ](https://achronicvoice.com/about/) [ ](https://www.facebook.com/achronicvoice) [ ](https://www.instagram.com/achronicvoice/) [ ](https://x.com/AChVoice) [ ](https://www.pinterest.com/achronicvoice/blog-posts-on-a-chronic-voice/) [ ](https://www.youtube.com/@sicklessons) [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherylchan/) “I listen to brainless dance music with a catchy beat. I dance like a duck but the movement seems to help!” --- “I get started with one simple task that is easily achievable. Momentum usually builds up from there.” ## I Hope That These Motivation Tips Were Helpful to You That's it for the first part of the #ProjChronicWisdom series! I hope that you found a nugget of wisdom or two, or that something made you smile. You can also contribute your own motivation tip using the form on the submission guidelines page: [Contribute a Motivation Tip Here](https://achronicvoice.com/submit-projchronicwisdom/) ## Sign Up for My Free Newsletter Be the first to get the latest post updates in your inbox, and unlock the comments section. You will also receive an e-book full of uplifting messages, quotes and illustrations as a token of appreciation! [Browse more membership plans here](#/portal/), or [make a one-off donation](https://achronicvoice.com/#/portal/support) instead. Sign Up Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Read Related Posts: - [Chronic Illness Quotes to Inspire, Motivate, Grieve, Hope & Laugh About](https://achronicvoice.com/chronic-illness-quotes/) - [40 People with Chronic Illness Share Their Best Pain Management Tips (What to Do if an Unforeseen Pain Flare Hits)](https://achronicvoice.com/pain-management-tips-pain-flare/) - [12 Lessons on Mindfulness (or “How to Relax” by Thich Nhat Hanh)](https://achronicvoice.com/lessons-on-mindfulness-thich-nhat-hanh/) - [Tell Me You’re Chronically Ill Without Telling Me You’re Chronically Ill (Chronic Illness Memes)](https://achronicvoice.com/chronic-illness-memes/) - [7 Reminders For Those Bad Days to Keep You Going](https://achronicvoice.com/reminders-for-bad-days/) View More in the #ProjChronicWisdom Series: - *Secret Motivation Tips for When You’re Unmotivated (this post)* - [Things I Find Beautiful in My Everyday Life Despite the Pain](https://achronicvoice.com/projchronicwisdom-beautiful-life-despite-pain/) - [Simple Pleasures I Can Enjoy While Stuck in Bed with Pain](https://achronicvoice.com/projchronicwisdom-simple-pleasures-enjoy-pain/) Pin to Your Mental Health & Motivation Boards: ![#projChronicWisdom: Secret Motivation Tips for When You’re Unmotivated](https://cdn.achronicvoice.com/secret-motivation-tips-unmotivated.jpg) ### Comments Archives: Comments imported from previous WordPress site. - [ Claire ](https://throughthefibrofog.com) Jul 7, 2021 This is a great topic! I agree with others and try and think of a small task or activity I want to do, preferably something a bit fun. Then take it from there. Sometimes it is just about starting to get me out of bed! - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Jul 10, 2021 Yes, getting out of bed is the hardest on many days, I think! One small thing, then more and more (but remembering to stop, haha!). - [ April ](https://www.rodesontheroad.com) Oct 3, 2020 I love all the quotes you included here, Sheryl. It honestly helps to lift our spirit. Thanks for writing your experiences as people like me who are still figuring out what causes our pain. It can be frustrating at times. I always enjoyed learning and reading your blog. I read a couple of them. - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Oct 12, 2020 Thank you so much, April! Feel free to share and use them, too! 😀 - [ Rashmi Agrawal ](https://yogarsutra.com) Feb 25, 2020 Loved the inspiring quotes. Feeling low is inevitable but feeling motivated can happen by just reading one post like yours. - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Feb 25, 2020 Thanks so much Rashmi 🙂 That was the purpose of this post. Am glad it cheered you up! - Emma England Nov 16, 2017 I love all these tips! Lovely to have another read of these, and good timing when I’ve been having a bit of a rubbishy week! xx - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Nov 16, 2017 Aww…I hope the weekend is a good one! I’ve had a rubbish week too with an infection (the normal people kind, which gets amplified in chronic illness!), but am also on ‘holiday’ for a few days. Which I’m glad I could still make it for even though I’ve been spending half of it in the hotel bed lol. Not gonna complain 🙂 Sending you much love dearie! xxxx - Leidamarie Tirado-Lee Nov 15, 2017 Wonderful quotes with amazing designs. This is such a lovely idea! - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Nov 15, 2017 Can contribute anytime 😉 The knowledge of everyone is amazing 😀 - [ Caz ](https://invisiblyme.com/) Jun 3, 2017 What a lovely post, I’ll have to bookmark this for when I need a little motivational boost! Thanks for sharing! ♥ Caz x - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Jun 4, 2017 Thanks Caz! It’s interesting to see how everyone deals with it a little differently! Hope they give you some new ideas too x - Kristen Williamson May 29, 2017 Love! Thanks for taking the time, talent, and effort to share your motivating quotes! I too, have passed them along to a support group. I hope this post finds you well. Take care. <3 - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) May 29, 2017 Aww…thank you very much Kristen, I appreciate the appreciation! 😉 Thank you for sharing it as well, and feel free to contribute a phrase any time! Have a lovely day! - [ Claire Saul ](https://painpalsblog.com/) May 8, 2017 All pinned to a new board! Look stunning – well done! Cx - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) May 8, 2017 Thanks so much, Claire! 🙂 - Ggmandy May 5, 2017 This is awesome! Thanks! - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) May 6, 2017 You’re welcome to participate too! 🙂 - Stacey May 5, 2017 These are SO good! Love that you’re doing this. - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) May 6, 2017 I was looking for motivation, so thought why not do this. You’re welcome to participate too! - [ Claire Saul ](https://painpalsblog.com/) May 1, 2017 Shared link on Pain Pals Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs x - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) May 1, 2017 Huge thanks, Claire! 🙂 **Start a new conversation in the Member Comments below!**