There’s a huge gap between feeling lonely and unmotivated, and feeling fulfilled and driven.
For me, that gap was bridged by adopting new habits. Simple ones, that I incorporated into my evenings.
I was stuck in a rut, feeling isolated and lacking drive, until I decided to make a change. These changes weren’t massive lifestyle overhauls, but small, manageable habits that I could easily fit into my routine.
These 8 simple evening habits made all the difference to me. And I’m excited to share them with you so that maybe you too can benefit from them.
Let’s dive in.
1) Unplug and unwind
In our hyper-connected world, it’s easy to feel alone even when you’re constantly connected to others via social media, emails and messages.
I found that one of the reasons I felt so lonely and unmotivated was because I was spending too much time looking at other people’s lives on my screens instead of living my own.
My first step towards feeling better was to unplug and unwind. I started dedicating the last hour before bedtime to disconnecting from all electronic devices.
This simple habit had a surprising effect. It gave me time to reflect on my day, think about what I wanted to achieve tomorrow, and just be by myself without feeling lonely.
Instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media, I started reading a book, journaling or simply sitting quietly with my thoughts.
Unplugging and unwinding helped me feel more relaxed, grounded and in control of my life. It’s a small change but it made a big difference in reducing feelings of loneliness and increasing motivation.
And it could do the same for you.
2) Establish a gratitude practice
I’ve always heard people talk about the benefits of practicing gratitude, but I never really gave it a chance until I was grappling with my feelings of loneliness and lack of motivation.
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So, I decided to implement a simple evening habit: writing down three things I was grateful for each day.
The first few times, it felt a bit awkward. But then, something amazing happened. On one particularly difficult day when I was feeling very low, I forced myself to sit down and search for things to be grateful for.
I struggled initially, but then I wrote down: “I’m grateful for my comfortable bed.” It was simple, but it was a start. The next day, I wrote: “I’m thankful for the delicious homemade dinner I cooked today.” Gradually, the process became easier.
This small practice started shifting my focus from what was going wrong in my life to what was going right. It made me feel less alone and more connected to the world around me. It also helped me gain a new sense of perspective and motivation.
Even on tough days now, this gratitude practice allows me to go to bed with a positive spirit, looking forward to a new day. And that’s made all the difference.
3) Indulge in light physical activity
Evening workouts may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but did you know that engaging in some form of light physical activity can significantly improve your mood and motivation?
When we move our bodies, it increases the production of endorphins – the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters. This is often referred to as the “runner’s high”, but you don’t have to be a marathon runner to experience it.
In my quest to combat feelings of loneliness and lack of motivation, I started incorporating a brisk 30-minute walk into my evening routine. Not only did it help me stay fit, but it also provided a great opportunity for self-reflection and planning for the next day.
This habit not only improved my mood but also helped me sleep better. And better sleep meant waking up feeling more refreshed and motivated to tackle the day ahead. So go ahead, give light physical activity a shot. Who knows, it might just become your new favorite habit.
4) Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is a concept that has its roots in Buddhism, and it’s all about being fully present and engaged in the moment.
As someone who used to feel lonely and unmotivated, this simple habit of practicing mindfulness in my evenings transformed my perspective.
Applying these principles to my evening routine, I dedicated a few minutes each night to sit quietly and simply be present. I started noticing the subtle sounds around me, the rhythm of my breath, the sensation of the chair beneath me.
This practice helped me connect with myself on a deeper level. I no longer felt lonely during these quiet moments; instead, I felt a sense of peace and contentment.
It also helped me develop a better relationship with my thoughts and feelings, which in turn increased my motivation to take positive action in my life. If you’re interested in learning more about how to practice mindfulness, “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism” offers practical guidance that you can apply in your daily life.
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5) Create a bedtime ritual
I used to have trouble falling asleep. Thoughts about the day’s events, worries about tomorrow, feelings of loneliness – they would all come rushing in as soon as I hit the pillow. It was exhausting and left me feeling even less motivated the next day.
In my search for a solution, I discovered the power of bedtime rituals. These rituals are a series of calming activities that you do every night before sleep. They signal to your body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for rest.
So, I started my own bedtime ritual. It begins with a warm cup of chamomile tea, followed by a short reading session, and ends with ten minutes of deep breathing exercises.
With time, my mind began to associate these activities with sleep. Instead of being flooded by thoughts and worries, I started drifting off to sleep more quickly and peacefully.
This simple evening habit helped me feel more rested and rejuvenated in the mornings, which significantly improved my outlook on life and boosted my motivation.
6) Embrace solitude
This might sound a bit counterintuitive, especially if you’re dealing with feelings of loneliness. But there’s a huge difference between being alone and feeling lonely.
In my journey to overcome loneliness and lack of motivation, I found that spending time alone with myself was incredibly empowering.
I started dedicating a part of my evenings for ‘me time’. I would do something that I enjoyed – maybe painting, playing a musical instrument, or even just going for a walk. No distractions, no social media, just me and my thoughts.
At first, it felt uncomfortable, but slowly I began to enjoy my own company. I learned more about myself, my likes and dislikes, my dreams and fears.
This newfound self-awareness made me feel more connected and less lonely. It also gave me a sense of purpose and direction which significantly boosted my motivation.
Don’t be afraid of solitude. Embrace it. It might just be the key to overcoming your feelings of loneliness and lack of motivation.
7) Set small, achievable goals
When you’re feeling unmotivated, even the smallest tasks can seem daunting. I’ve been there, and I found that setting small, achievable goals for myself each evening helped me regain my lost motivation.
I started with simple things like cooking a healthy dinner or finishing a chapter of a book. Seeing myself achieve these small wins gave me a sense of accomplishment and boosted my confidence.
Slowly, I started setting slightly bigger goals – like finishing a work project or learning a new skill. As I began achieving these, my motivation levels soared.
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8) Reach out and connect
Even though we’re more connected than ever thanks to technology, genuine human connection seems harder to come by. But it’s this human connection that can make a world of difference when you’re feeling lonely and unmotivated.
So, make it a point to reach out to someone each evening. It could be a quick call to a friend or a heartfelt conversation with a family member.
This simple habit of connecting with others can help you feel less alone and more motivated to face a new day. Because at the end of the day, we’re all in this together.
Final thoughts: It’s about self-discovery
Loneliness and lack of motivation are complex emotions, often rooted in deeper aspects of our psyche and life experiences.
Through my journey of overcoming these feelings, what I discovered is that the path to feeling fulfilled and driven is largely about self-discovery.
Each evening habit that I adopted wasn’t just a routine; it was a stepping stone towards understanding myself better. From practicing mindfulness to embracing solitude, each habit unveiled new aspects of my being.
Whether it’s setting small, achievable goals or connecting with others, these habits are not just about overcoming loneliness and boosting motivation. They’re about understanding ourselves better, recognizing our strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately guiding us towards living a life that resonates with our true selves.
So as you reflect on these habits, remember that the journey towards overcoming loneliness and lack of motivation is also a journey towards self-discovery. And who knows, you might just uncover aspects of yourself you’d never known before.
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