What motivates you?

An ex-boyfriend and I were talking like we normally did after a long work day one night. I rambled on about what happened at work and interesting things that I’ve learned during my night class that day. Out of the blue he asked me about my fitness journey and whether or not I find it difficult to keep up with consistently working out. I replied with a big fat YES! I’m human, but it’s something that I know I have to keep up. Later on he followed up this mini inquisition with, “what motivates you?” All of a sudden our conversation went from maintaining a healthy lifestyle to a rather serious conversation only he knows what.

You see, every once in a while someone asks me this question.

Frankly, for three little words it’s not a question with an easy answer. It’s also not a question I feel entirely qualified to answer either. Why? What motivates me may not be the same from what motivates you. That’s something you have to figure out on your own.

A little harsh, I know, but if there’s anything I learned from being asked this question, there’s usually another set of questions and thoughts behind it. Nonetheless, I reluctantly answered the question with the same answer I’ve given other people-me.

Of course, this answer has a different story behind it. One I am more than happy to share with you later on. For now, I want you to look into the other questions, thoughts and even emotions hovering over this question. Now, for every question, feeling and thought, ask yourself why? You don’t have to come up with any answer right away, just write them all down. Dig deeper and deeper as you go along until the questions, emotions and thoughts are nothing more than just a pile of words.

Take a deep breath.

Welcome to the most painful yet rewarding, confusing yet clarifying, and exhausting yet rejuvenating journey of finding you.