The Slow Return of Motivation
Even now, even here, you are moving forward.
Some days, motivation feels like a ghost. You remember what it once felt like — the energy, the focus, the momentum — but now it’s all gone. Distant. Almost unreal. And you wonder, “Will it ever come back?”
Godsfavour I. Udokang
Medical Student
The truth is: motivation doesn’t always rush in like a wave.
Sometimes, it returns like a slow drip. A gentle nudge. A whisper instead of a roar. Maybe it starts when you finally clean your room. Or opening a blank document — not to finish something, but just to begin. Maybe it’s replying to a message you’ve been avoiding. Or even just getting out of bed when everything in you wants to stay hidden.
Sometimes, it returns like a slow drip. A gentle nudge. A whisper instead of a roar. Maybe it starts when you finally clean your room. Or opening a blank document — not to finish something, but just to begin. Maybe it’s replying to a message you’ve been avoiding. Or even just getting out of bed when everything in you wants to stay hidden.
Take a deep breath.
What Is Motivation?
Motivation is the inner drive or reason that pushes you to act, move, or keep going — whether it’s getting out of bed, studying, creating, or simply trying again.
It can come from two places: doing something because it feels meaningful or satisfying to you (like reading a book because you enjoy it) or doing something for a reward or to avoid negative outcomes (studying to pass an exam).
But motivation isn’t always loud or energetic — sometimes, it’s just the quiet decision to keep showing up, even when you don’t feel like it.
It can come from two places: doing something because it feels meaningful or satisfying to you (like reading a book because you enjoy it) or doing something for a reward or to avoid negative outcomes (studying to pass an exam).
But motivation isn’t always loud or energetic — sometimes, it’s just the quiet decision to keep showing up, even when you don’t feel like it.
Godspower I. Udokang
Medical Doctor
And that “something” matters. It’s not about waking up suddenly full of energy —
It’s about noticing that tiny shift inside you. The one that says, :Maybe I can try again today.” You don’t need to force it. You don’t need to rush.
Let it come back in its own time. Let it be awkward and uneven.
Because even the slowest return still counts.
And even now — even like this — you’re doing better than you think.
It’s about noticing that tiny shift inside you. The one that says, :Maybe I can try again today.” You don’t need to force it. You don’t need to rush.
Let it come back in its own time. Let it be awkward and uneven.
Because even the slowest return still counts.
And even now — even like this — you’re doing better than you think.
Motivation often comes back in quiet ways: a spark of curiosity, a warm conversation, a moment of clarity, or just a breath where things feel a bit lighter. It’s okay if you don’t feel driven today. It’s okay if you’re only doing the bare minimum.
That is still movement.
And even on the days when you feel like you're standing still — you're not. You’re healing. You're learning. You're becoming.
That is still movement.
And even on the days when you feel like you're standing still — you're not. You’re healing. You're learning. You're becoming.
THE QUESTION
What's that small thing you still care about today?
Not five things.
Not your whole future.
Just one.
Maybe it’s how your tea smells in the morning.
Maybe it’s texting back someone who matters.
Maybe it’s showing up — messy, tired, real — and still trying.
It doesn’t have to be impressive. It doesn’t even have to make sense.
It just has to be yours. Caring in small ways is still caring.
It’s a quiet form of hope. A soft refusal to give up completely.
And sometimes, that’s enough to keep you going.
So today, if all you can do is care about one small thing —
Let that be enough.
Not your whole future.
Just one.
Maybe it’s how your tea smells in the morning.
Maybe it’s texting back someone who matters.
Maybe it’s showing up — messy, tired, real — and still trying.
It doesn’t have to be impressive. It doesn’t even have to make sense.
It just has to be yours. Caring in small ways is still caring.
It’s a quiet form of hope. A soft refusal to give up completely.
And sometimes, that’s enough to keep you going.
So today, if all you can do is care about one small thing —
Let that be enough.
