How to Stay Motivated When You Are Experiencing A Hard Season

Life can be challenging, and sometimes it feels like everything is going wrong at once. Whether you're dealing with personal setbacks, professional struggles, or overwhelming external circumstances, staying motivated can feel impossible sometimes. However, maintaining motivation during tough times is crucial for pushing through and emerging stronger on the other side.

Here are some of my favorite personal ways to help me stay motivated when I’m going through hard situations:

1. Acknowledge and Accept Your Emotions

It’s essential to recognize that tough times will naturally bring up difficult emotions—stress, sadness, frustration, or even fear. Rather than suppressing these feelings, give yourself permission to experience them. By accepting your emotions, you are being kind to yourself and acknowledging the reality of the situation.

When you allow yourself to process your feelings, you free up mental energy that can be redirected toward finding solutions which can then lead to MOTIVATION! Instead of being consumed by emotions, you can work with them. Journaling, meditating, or talking to a trusted friend can help you manage these emotions and clear space for motivation.

2. Break Big Goals Into Small, Achievable Steps (I call these Big rocks)

When you’re in the middle of a tough situation, the bigger picture can feel overwhelming. One of the best ways to stay motivated is to break your goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. This technique allows you to focus on short-term wins, which can provide a sense of accomplishment and keep your momentum going.

For example, if you’re struggling with financial difficulties, your ultimate goal might be to stabilize your finances. Break that down into smaller steps like tracking your spending, reducing unnecessary expenses, or setting up a budget. Tackling these tasks one by one makes the overall challenge seem less daunting.

3. Find Your ‘Why’

This is what I call, going back to the drawing board! During hard times, it’s easy to lose sight of why you’re doing something in the first place. Revisiting your core reasons or your purpose can reignite your motivation. Ask yourself, "Why is this important to me?" Whether it’s a career goal, a relationship, or a personal project, reconnecting with your deeper purpose will remind you of the value in persevering.

For example, if you're working toward a professional goal but are feeling burnt out, remember WHY you chose that path. Is it to provide a better life for your family? To follow your passion? Anchoring yourself to that reason can provide the motivation needed to keep moving forward.

4. Lean on Your Support System

When you’re going through a rough patch, it can be tempting to isolate yourself. Im 100% GUILTY of doing this at times! However, staying connected to a support system is essential for maintaining motivation. Whether it’s friends, family, or even online communities, people who care about you can provide encouragement, advice, and a fresh perspective.

Don’t be afraid to ask for time from people who love you to talk through things. Sometimes, just talking through a situation with someone else can help you see things from a new angle or gain clarity on your next steps. Your support system can also help you celebrate small victories, which is essential for staying motivated during hard times.

5. Practice Self-Compassion

This one can be REALLY hard sometimes. It’s easy to be hard on yourself during challenging times, but self-compassion is key to staying motivated. Remember that everyone faces difficulties at some point, and setbacks are a part of life’s journey. Rather than criticizing yourself for what you haven’t achieved, focus on what you have managed to do despite the challenges.

Talk to yourself the way you would encourage a friend. When negative self-talk creeps in, challenge those thoughts with more compassionate responses. For instance, if you’re thinking, “I’ll never get through this,” counter it with, “This is hard, but I’m doing the best I can, and that’s enough for today.”

6. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

One mistake many people make during tough times is aiming for perfection. Trust me, I too have made this mistake more than once. But striving for perfection can drain motivation, especially when things are already hard. Instead, focus on progress or as I like to call them “big rocks” so you can chip away one rock at a time to still feel a sense of accomplishment to keep you going! Celebrate small wins and incremental improvements, no matter how small they may seem.

Recognize the effort you’re putting in to keep going, even when the going is tough. Did you take a step toward your goal today, even if it was just a small one? That’s worth celebrating! This mindset shift will help you stay motivated by focusing on what’s going right, rather than fixating on what isn’t.

7. Visualize Your Success

This one is one of my favorites! Visualization is a powerful tool for motivation. Take some time to picture yourself overcoming your current challenges. Imagine what it will feel like when you’ve achieved your goal or moved past the tough situation. How will your life be different? How will you feel emotionally, physically, and mentally?

By focusing on this positive outcome, you are reminding yourself that the hard times won’t last forever and that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Visualization can help you stay committed to the journey, even when the road feels rough.

8. Take Breaks and Prioritize Rest

In tough times, you might feel the urge to push yourself harder to get out of the situation. While action is necessary, it’s also essential to rest and recharge. Burnout is real, and pushing yourself too hard can leave you feeling even more demotivated.

Make sure to take regular breaks to relax and do things you enjoy, even if it’s for a short period. Prioritizing rest allows your mind and body to recover, so you can return to your challenges with renewed energy and motivation. Believe it or not, your mind plays a huge role in feeling burnt out. Stress alone can sometimes make you feel like you’ve just ran a marathon!

Staying motivated in hard situations isn’t easy, but it’s possible. By breaking goals into smaller steps, practicing self-compassion, and leaning on your support system, you can maintain the momentum needed to move forward. Remember, tough times are temporary, but the strength you build during them will last. Stay focused, stay kind to yourself, and trust that brighter days are ahead.

I am no “expert” BUT… I do have experience of having to keep myself motivated when I ABSOLUTLEY did not know how to! I wrote this blog in hopes I can offer practical and compassionate advice based on some of my own personal experiences for anyone going through a challenging time. If you’ve been struggling, always know that you’re not alone, and with the right strategies, you can stay motivated and get through even the hardest situations!

With LOVE,

-Justine Kime