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Around this time of year, it is easy to lose motivation. When the weather gets warmer, it is springtime, and your allergies are killing you, you just feel worn down and exhausted, and school is the last thing anyone wants to do! So this is what we're going to talk about. Whether you are facing challenges related to the season, spiritual discouragement, a lack of internal motivation, or something else, we are going to cover some really practical ways that we can find motivation and inspiration.
Understanding what drains my motivation is the first step toward reclaiming it. It is important to put distractions in two main buckets: big life events that require us to hit pause (the death of a loved one, a big move, the birth of a child, illness, or some other life-altering event) and smaller patterns and habits that will suck our motivation dry. It’s unrealistic to try and ignore these major life events and expect to stay 100 percent motivated and focused. In these seasons, it’s important to be able to hit pause and give ourselves some flexibility. But there are also habits and patterns that can drain our motivation that are in our control. Here are four of them that I’ve seen in my life and the lives of those around me:
Chaotic Environment: When our physical spaces become overwhelmed with clutter, our mental capacity for creativity and focus diminishes proportionally. The mounting pressure of chaos eventually reaches a breaking point when we can no longer function effectively.
Lack of Structure: Without rhythms and routines to guide our days, we expend precious energy constantly deciding what comes next, leaving little mental bandwidth for actual teaching and connection.
Constant Pressure: Whether it is you putting pressure on yourself to meet unrealistic expectations or its pressure from external circumstances, constant pressure can hurt our motivation.
Time Depletion: When every moment is claimed by activities, obligations, or mindless scrolling, we lose the space we need for regeneration and inspiration.
Whether you are moving out of a life-altering season or are just trying to deal with one of the smaller motivation killers, here are a few things I have found that can restore motivation . . .
Small Accomplishments: Science confirms what experience teaches—completing tasks, even minor ones, releases dopamine that propels us forward. Breaking large goals into "micro-goals" creates momentum through regular wins. Maybe your small goals are just to wash yourself and eat before noon! That’s okay.
Interest-led Learning: When we align education with natural curiosities and passions, motivation flows organically. This is the heart behind interest-led curriculums that transform "boring" subjects into fascinating explorations. This is exactly the heart behind Gather ‘Round curriculum.
Creative Expression: Incorporating creativity into learning activates different parts of the brain and spirit, refreshing our approach and perspective.
Meaningful Connection: Authentic relationships fuel our deeper purpose in homeschooling. Taking time to genuinely connect with our children will help us teach them, rather than just stuffing their heads with facts.
Sometimes, even when we prioritize these four approaches to building and maintaining motivation, we still hit roadblocks. Here are a few things that help me refocus and stay motivated when I lose my motivation.
Worship Music: Music has a remarkable power to shift the atmosphere and attitude. Whether during cleanup time, morning gathering, or personal devotion, intentional worship through music realigns my heart. Sometimes I’ll create a special "motivation-emergency" playlist that signals a fresh start.
Gratitude Practice: Remembering previous victories cultivates soil for new growth. As the Psalmist writes, "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old."(Psalm 77:11)
Prayer Walks: Combining physical movement with prayer creates space for both body and soul to be refreshed.
Changing Your Environment: Packing up school materials and heading to a library, coffee shop, or an outdoor area (yard, park, etc.) can help rekindle motivation.
Enlist Your Family: Host a family meeting to acknowledge the struggle and invite everyone to participate in the solution. When my kids feel ownership in the process, their buy-in transforms reluctant participation into enthusiastic collaboration.
Reassess Your Goals: Sometimes I just set goals that are too ambitious. When this happens, I have to break up my goals into more attainable, smaller goals.
Remember that seasons of low motivation don't define your homeschool journey—they're just stops along the way. As you navigate these challenging periods with grace and intentionality, you're teaching your children, perhaps, the most valuable lesson of all: how to persevere with purpose. We will hit seasons where we need to give ourselves grace and time to reset. The beautiful truth about homeschooling is that it is never just about academic success. It's about growing together, learning to overcome challenges, and discovering the unique rhythm that allows your family to flourish. Your willingness to address motivation struggles head-on demonstrates exactly the kind of resilience and problem-solving you hope to instill in your children.
So take that next small step. Put on music that lifts your spirit. Clear one corner of the kitchen table. Open a book that sparks wonder. And remember—you're not walking this path alone. A community of fellow homeschool parents understands exactly where you are, and we are cheering you forward.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.—Isaiah 40:28-29
In Him,
Rebecca Spooner
