Motivation from Mom

There are some days where everything just seems to fall out of place. No matter how hard you try, your shoelaces come undone while you run, that cramp won’t go away, and you still haven’t found that $20 bill you misplaced.

For me, that kind of day has repeated itself for the last two weeks. After a while it gets harder and harder to keep myself motivated. Luckily for me I have a wonderful mom who is my support system no matter what. Even when she doesn’t know what to say, just hearing her talk about what she might do makes me feel better.

So as finals approach and the stress kicks in, I’m here to give you some of the greatest lessons my mom has taught me over the years.

Sometimes, it’s okay to cheat. Sure you shouldn’t look over at the person next to you while taking an exam. But, if all you want is that Panera Blueberry muffin, then get it! Eat half, refresh your inner self with this little treat, and then move on. Don’t dwell on the small stuff because it’s just that: small and insignificant. Plus you deserve to treat yourself on occasion.

Never let someone else change how you see yourself. There is always going to be someone—whether it’s at work or at school—with whom you just cannot get along. And that’s okay. It might not even be someone in your everyday life, but there is always someone. The sooner you realize that you are the only one who can determine your own self worth, the easier it becomes to disregard the hate others put out.

When you feel like giving up, try harder. I’ve always had a tough time getting out of slumps. After a while it’s hard to keep believing that things will get better and disregarding the negative opinions of others. It’s these exact moments when you feel like giving up most, that you must try your best. It is one of the hardest things to do: push yourself when you’re not even sure you believe you can. But it’s after this struggle that you realize how strong you truly are.