How to Get Motivated When You Don’t Feel Like Working

Even the most passionate food bloggers have days when the spark just isn’t there. Maybe you’ve had a long week, your creativity feels burned out, or you’re facing a wave of self-doubt. The thoughts are quiet. The energy is low. But your goals are still waiting.

Let’s create a recipe you can follow to move forward, even when you don’t feel like it emotionally.

Understand What’s Happening: Emotional Resistance and Flow

When motivation disappears, what you’re really feeling is emotional resistance. This might look like fear, perfectionism, overwhelm, or old stories like “I’m not good enough.” The first step is to notice what’s going on inside.

There’s also a gift available to you. It’s called flow state. Flow is that magical space where everything feels effortless, ideas pour out, and time bends. When flow appears, treat it like the golden hour of your blogging process.

• Notice the signs: a burst of focus, deep concentration, or a desire to keep going

• Protect the window: pause notifications, clear distractions, and lean fully into your work

• Capture momentum: jot down new ideas or outline next steps to carry forward the flow

But flow doesn’t always show up. That’s when you need grounded, practical strategies to carry you through.

Practical Strategies for When You’re Just Not Feeling It

Here are clear, mindset-based strategies to keep you moving forward. You’re still running your food blog like a real business.

1. Micro-tasks and Time-boxing
   Break everything into bite-sized steps. Too tired to write a full recipe post? Just choose one photo, list ingredients, or brainstorm a blog title. Use a 10-minute timer. Promise yourself: “This is all I need to do right now.” More often than not, that first step leads to another.

2. Use the 5-Minute Promise
   Commit to just five minutes. You can stop after that if you need to. The act of beginning breaks the spell. And even if you stop, those five minutes still count as real progress.

3. Change your environment or routine
   Emotional inertia can be caused by too much sameness. Try moving to a different room, working at a café, or putting on a new playlist. Even a small change can refresh your mindset.

4. Engage your body
   Stand up, stretch, or go for a short walk. Hydrate. Energy stored in your body affects your mood and mental clarity. Physical movement often unlocks emotional motivation.

5. Reconnect with your “why”
   Visualize someone cooking your recipe and feeling joy. Remember why you started blogging. Purpose reconnects you with internal motivation when emotional energy is low.

6. Set small accountability goals
   Create quick deadlines and share them with someone. It could be a fellow blogger or even your audience. When someone else expects something, it’s easier to follow through.

7. Reward and rest intentionally
   Reward yourself after each mini task—watch a short video, enjoy your favorite snack, or step outside. Also give yourself permission to rest. Sometimes low motivation is your body saying, “I need to recharge.”

8. Shift your self-talk
   Swap “I don’t feel like it” for “I choose to move forward anyway.” Your thoughts shape your emotions. Choosing action—even when you don’t feel like it—can flip the internal script.

Want help applying these strategies to your blog?

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Build a Routine That Supports Motivation Over Time

Build habits that help you stay consistent, even when your emotional state fluctuates.

• Create work and rest windows: Structure your day so that focused work is balanced with real rest

• Plan weekly with energy in mind: Schedule high-effort tasks when you know you tend to have the most mental energy

• Celebrate your wins: Keep a visual tracker or daily log of even your smallest actions

• Practice self-compassion: Not every day is a high-energy day. Slowing down doesn’t mean you’re behind—it means you’re human

Putting It All Into Action

As you imagine applying these strategies, which project or post comes to mind? Think of that one draft, photo shoot, or email that’s been lingering. Choose one micro-step to take today. Set your timer. Say the words, “I choose to begin.” Let that intention lead you forward.

Momentum is built one decision at a time. You are more capable than your current emotion might suggest.

Conclusion

Motivation doesn’t have to show up first. Sometimes, you lead—and it follows.

Some days you’re surfing the wave. Other days you’re paddling slowly, but still moving. When you know how to work with both, you unlock a new level of emotional resilience and creative leadership.

Let this be the start of your personalized recipe for success.

Click HERE to get started.

FAQ

Q: What is emotional resistance and how do I recognize it?
A: Emotional resistance shows up as avoidance, anxiety, or low energy about something you know matters. If you feel stuck or overwhelmed and don’t know why, that’s a clue. Often, resistance is masking fear or self-doubt.

Q: How can I get into flow more often?
A: Prepare your workspace, reduce distractions, and start with a small creative task. When flow appears, give yourself permission to keep going. Over time, your brain learns to enter that state more easily.

Q: What if I feel unmotivated for several days in a row?
A: That could be a sign that your energy is depleted. Start with rest, gentle movement, and very simple wins. Reconnect with your “why” and lower the pressure.