Monday Motivation – June 16, 2025

"Motivation doesn’t always roar—sometimes it shows up quietly, with a locked door, a lit candle, and a good book that lets you escape your responsibilities without technically running away."

Last week was a rough one. Add in the emotional weight of Father’s Day combined with my mom’s birthday landing on the exact same day this year? Brutal. It stirred up memories, grief, and the ache of absence that always seems louder when dates like that roll around.

But instead of spiraling or sitting too long with the sadness, I made a conscious choice: I let myself check out—not in the self-destructive way, but in the self-preserving, gentle, soul-softening kind of way.

So, I went to bed at 7 p.m. Not to sleep (let’s not get wild), but to read. I closed the door, turned down the world, and curled up with my dog and my book. No guilt. No “shoulds.” No spiraling to-do list. Just a little fictional escape hatch and a very fluffy therapist at my side.

For four uninterrupted hours, I existed in a different world—one where the drama wasn’t mine and the problems were made-up but still somehow comforting. I let the words on the page drown out the noise in my head and soften the tension in my heart. By the time I finally fell asleep, I was full—not of stress or sorrow, but of stories and peace.

Sometimes, motivation doesn’t look like lacing up your sneakers or powering through your planner. Sometimes, the most motivated thing you can do is stop everything and read until the real world quiets down enough for you to hear yourself again.

This week, I hope you find the courage to pause. To rest. To escape into something that brings you peace. You don’t have to roar to keep moving forward—sometimes, a whisper and a good book will do the trick.