With Valentine’s Day that has just passed, love is in the air—but what about self-love? It’s easy to focus on showing care for others while neglecting ourselves. Loving yourself means being kind to yourself even when you have low motivation. We all get there, and it’s a tough feeling to sit with—that sense of “what’s the point of continuing?” or “I might as well stop trying.” Lately, I’ve been feeling like that again. And I’m not sure why—sometimes motivating myself is difficult!

When I feel this way, I remind myself there are ways to work through it. Here are a few strategies that help me, and maybe they’ll help you too:

1. Break It Down – Instead of focusing on the entire journey ahead, narrow your focus to the next small step. Progress feels more manageable when it’s in bite-sized pieces. When discussing my weight loss journey, I always say that I never lost eighty kilograms—I lost eight kilograms ten times. I sometimes find it difficult to break a big task or goal into smaller pieces, and when that happens, it’s often because I can’t look at it objectively. That’s when it helps to ask someone I trust for their input.
2. Reconnect with Your ‘Why’ – Remind yourself why you started in the first place. It’s important to have a reason behind what you do, and if your original reason doesn’t resonate anymore, find a new one. There is a difference between a reason and a goal. I run because I want to maintain my weight, stay fit, and challenge myself. On the other hand, my goals are about the pace I want to run at and the mileage I wish to complete.
3. Look at Past Wins—Even small victories count. Seeing how you’ve overcome past challenges can remind you that you can push through again. Now and again, it’s good to remind yourself that what once felt impossible is now something you do with ease.
4. Adjust Expectations – Sometimes, feeling stuck comes from expecting results too soon. Giving yourself more time and space can ease the pressure. I hate it when others pressure me—I often freeze up. So why do I put so much pressure on myself? That’s one of the reasons I’m looking forward to this year—without race-specific pressure, I can focus on steady improvement without constantly chasing a deadline.
5. Seek Encouragement—Talking to someone who understands or seeking inspiration from others can help shift your perspective and make you feel less alone.
6. Take a Strategic Break – Resting isn’t quitting. Sometimes, stepping back can help you return with more clarity and energy. This is probably one of the hardest things for runners to do. For some odd reason, we find resting incredibly difficult.
7. Reframe the Thought—Instead of saying, “I might as well stop trying,” consider, “What’s one thing I can still do?” Shifting from an all-or-nothing mindset can open up possibilities. Whenever I feel like my back is against the wall and there are no other options available, those are the times I’m most likely to quit.

Are there any of these strategies that you naturally use already? Or is there one you don’t use but might consider trying? I’m working on adjusting my expectations and breaking things down into smaller steps—especially when it comes to my running goals for the year. What about you?