August 2023 was my last blog post.

Quietly Roaring went to the wayside in 2023 for various reasons.

For a start, I was consumed with writing my thesis. By mid 2024, I found myself “all wrote out”, with absolutely no motivation to do any additional kind of writing, even the creative kind! Add new grand bubbas, and working, and church stuff, and all the usual life busyness.

Earlier this year I did entertain brief thoughts that I should revive the blog. I was paying an annual subscription afterall…so I should write, right?

Motivation can be a funny thing.

Also on my “should” list was:

I should do more resistance training.

I should spend less time on my phone.

I should give up sugar.

…and on it went.

But trying to motivate myself using self-imposed guilt and shame simply does not work. I may motivate myself for short periods, but I soon slip back when I’m telling myself I should! 

Reframing “shoulds” into motivating “coulds” yields slightly better results.

I could be more regular with resistance training to increase my bone density.

I could spend less time on my phone to have more time to do something I enjoy.

I could eat more healthily to have improved cholesterol.

Reminding myself of the benefits and outcomes increases motivation and the short periods of compliance become longer periods of compliance.

But there’s an even better way to kickstart and maintain motivation! And that’s by allowing personal values to be the motivating force which activates.

I value my bones, therefore I am motivated to do my resistance exercises.

I value my time, therefore I am motivated to not waste time scrolling.

I value my good health, therefore I am motivated to eat wisely.

Of course, sometimes I get slack and I don’t do any of these things, but reminding myself of my values always motivates me to get back on track once more.

So what’s all that got to do with motivation for writing?

Well, I have ceased telling myself I should revive Quietly Roaring.

I could do an occasional blog just because I still have my WordPress subscription.

But I value creative expression, therefore I am motivated to unpack what’s in my head and write it down a little more often.

Nice to be back.

🙂 Jo