Pinterest Motivation Is A Lie

What's stopping you?

What's stopping you?

Motivation helps us see a higher mountain to climb. A loftier goal to which we arise. A greater accomplishment to envision. Motivation keeps us going when it seems impossible. Motivation is the fire that burns within us to finish the race. Motivation can be a very useful fuel in life, to say the least.

I like motivation.

I have motivation to do a great many things. As they say, "Motivation is for closers" (unless you haven't seen the movie, and then that quote is kind of random).

Motivation helps us see a higher mountain, a loftier goal, a greater accomplishment. Motivation keeps us going when it seems impossible. Motivation fuels the fire within us. Pushes us to finish the race. Motivation can be a very useful fuel in life, to say the least.

Yet, sometimes the Pinterest motivational posters are not as helpful as they aim to be. Sometimes, they picture unrealistic vacation shots with a pithy statement: "Be the best you can be! (If you don't have a job, and are on a 6-month long, $25,000 vacation in the middle of nowhere.)"

On one hand, do I want to grab life by the horns and experience new things on a yacht in the middle of the Mediterranean, wearing a new bikini (that doesn’t look like I just forgot to actually get dressed)? Sure!

Do I want to go mountain climbing in Yosemite? (NO.) Sure, I'll give it a try. I’m going to make it 10 feet up and then my wobbly arms are going to be carrying ice packs (and wine) for the rest of the day, though.

Do I want to just take off and go driving in the country in my 1957 convertible with my hair beating in the air, losing my scarf to the wind and throwing my hands up like I just don't care? Maybe...I liked that scarf, though.

On the other hand, day-to-day life is not a motivational poster. Day-to-day life is waking up earlier than the kids, making sure they have breakfast, getting them to do their chores, reading emails, making lunch, doing school, getting some laundry done, planning for the week, making grocery lists, and chilling with the family.

Day-to-day life is not a motivational poster.

Day-to-day life is going to the DMV, picking up a few things at Home Depot, and going to bed early. Although I really do like the spunk of motivational posters to put the idea of “what if” into our heads, I think the motivation we have every day is finishing a project at work, listening to the kids laugh outside, or making a killer meal for dinner. Those are real motivations. Those moments are the fuel that keep the fire in me going. They are what make life amazing.

Here are some less-than-motivational posters I found. Thanks, Pinterest:

Not really the goal I was looking for, exactly.

I also need a babysitter, who will work for free.

Laundry? Because we do need clean towels, now that you mention it.

That looks really cold. I'd rather stay home.

I don't know, Steve has a point here.

I made the best lamb roast.

You really can't ignore that.

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