I found it really interesting to hear the idea that motivation can be "an unreachable concept that zaps and deflates" @Former-Member. I dont think I've heard of motivation being anything other than a really positive thing.
Maybe if we are motivated to do things are beyond us, even if they're beyond us only at the time, it can become kind of that zapping deflating thing. I relate to that a lot. I can feel a lot of "why bother, I'm never going to get there anyway" stuff and that's not very helpful or motivating!
If I see someone who has a really dire situation re trauma or illness etc and they get media coverage for overcoming, I think wow I’m not hat bad but still can’t get going how crap am I? If I see someone who looks like they have everything and they’re not coping eg celeb suicides or revelations of mental illness I feel a lot of empathy then think gosh if they can’t get by what hope do I have?
It is an interesting concept isn't it @CheerBear. While motivation is a positive thing, it can feel negative like you said when we use it to possibly put too much pressure on ourselves to achieve too much at times. And that pressure can be where a lot of harsh self talk comes from - even though we are the only ones putting that amount of pressure on ourselves right?
Motivation itself isn't really negative I don't think. Comparing ourselves to others can be definitely. It can also make us realise what's possible though.
Welcome @Shaz51 and @Liss23 - thanks for joining and sharing. We are currently exploring the negative self talk that can come up when we try to get motivated @Liss23
@Gpro I think a lot of us can relate with that internal thought process you have described. It's hard when we are struggling and have empathy and feel we should be able to do better in that case
