How self-care motivation can change the way you move through the day
We Don’t Mean to Exhaust Ourselves — But We Often Do
How many times do you reach the end of the day feeling drained? You didn’t set out to wear yourself out — so why does it happen?
We’re often driven by a mind that thinks it knows what’s best for us. It pushes us to finish tasks, keep things under control, and meet expectations. It tells us there’s no time to pause, no room for softness
But something is missing in that approach: self-care motivation. What would change if looking after yourself became part of the reason you do things — not an afterthought, but a guiding intention?
The Drive to Finish Can Come at a Cost
Yes, getting things done matters. But a narrow focus on completion often leads us to ignore the body’s signals. We carry on with the ironing even though our back aches. We keep reading despite tired, dry eyes. We sit for hours at the computer, unaware of the tension building in our hips and shoulders
In these moments, we’re not lazy — we’re simply caught in old habits of striving. The task takes priority, and we lose touch with how we feel
Shift the Motivation: From Finishing to Self-Care
Here’s the key: when self-care motivation guides our actions, everything changes
To care for ourselves, we need to pause — even briefly — and check in. Am I hungry? Do I need to stretch? How am I breathing?
When we do this, our choices often shift. Instead of telling ourselves, “I just need to finish this first,” we can ask, “Can I look after myself while I do this?”
The task might stay the same — replying to an email, preparing a meal, hanging up the washing — but the quality of our attention softens. The body is no longer a background object; it becomes part of the conversation
Practising New Choices
You might decide to delay something the mind insists is urgent. Maybe you get up and have a snack before searching online for a new washing line. Maybe you go for a short walk before doing the shopping. And when you notice yourself replaying the day as you prepare for sleep, you can come back to your body. You can connect with the support of the mattress and pillow and let your body settle into this support. You can soften the belly, unclench the jaw and let yourself rest
The Benefits of Self-Care Motivation
This small shift in motivation can make a big difference. It puts you back in charge. You’re no longer reacting to pressure — you’re responding with awareness
Rather than exhausting yourself without meaning to, you begin to move through the day with more ease, more presence, and a little more kindness
Interested in Exploring Further?
If you’d like to learn how to bring mindfulness into your daily life in a way that’s supportive, grounded and real, you might be interested in my next 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course
https://www.livingandlovingmindfully.co.uk/mindfulness-course
Want to Learn More?
As a mindfulness and Alexander Technique teacher in the Saltash / Plymouth area, I help people reduce stress, find balance, improve posture, and feel better in mind and body
Get in touch to find out more or explore our courses. Learn how small changes can make a big difference to your ease, balance, and wellbeing
**About Me**
I’m Sarah-Linda, a certified teacher of both the Alexander Technique and mindfulness based near Plymouth, UK. Through Living and Loving Mindfully, I support individuals in reconnecting with their bodies, easing tension, and moving through life with greater presence and flow
My approach is gentle and grounded in awareness — helping you rediscover your natural balance, without forcing or fixing
It’s not about getting it right, but about learning how to be more present with where you are
