Motivation vs. Dedication

Michigan winters can be brutal. When I first moved here, in February of 2006, the temperatures did not rise above freezing the entire month of February. Harsh. In fairness with climate change our winters have generally become more mild, but this one has been tough. It's been cold and icy without any of the things that make winter fun (like snow one can actually play in). 

Yesterday I got up to walk my dog at 6 am like I do every day. I checked the temperature, and it was 17 degrees. I hesitated because I had zero motivation to go outside in the dark with temps in the teens to walk the dog. But then I thought about the busy day I had ahead of me. I wouldn't have another good opportunity to walk her. She needs exercise and so do I. So I sighed and bundled up to walk the dog.

You see the winter I've had ZERO motivation for any of the things. I don't feel like walking the dog. I don't feel like exercising. I basically don't feel like going outside. The winter blues has hit me hard, and many days I feel like I'm walking through quicksand. 

But I remind myself every single day that I don't have to be motivated; I just have to be dedicated. It doesn't matter if I FEEL like walking the dog. I just have to make myself do it. It doesn't matter if I WANT to lace up my running shoes and hop on the treadmill. But I will. Motivation and dedication are two totally different things, and this winter dedication is the only thing that's kept me going in this motivation slump. 

I made a goal this year of running at least a 5k every month. In January I ran a chilly 5k in Old Town, Lansing, and this past weekend I ran the Super Bowl 5k in some pretty brutal conditions. I'll be honest: I didn't feel motivated to do either of them. But I am dedicated to the goal I've set. 

Time Travel 5k in January

Snuggling with my dog after the Super Bowl 5k

January was approximately 400 days long, and it was celebrated by some below zero temps, our 10 year old getting pneumona, and the whole family being home for a week. As a result it's been hard to maintain a solid work pace. But here we are in the second week of February, and I'm trying my hardest to see the light at the end of the winter (even though there's a lot of it left). 

I work hard to find things each day that I'm grateful for and that bring me joy. Some days it's just a little tougher than others (and maybe a little less joy when it's so grey and gloomy). But dedication is the key. Our basement is chilly and damp (much better than outside of course), but I force myself to head down and turn on the treadmill. I may not have my best workout every single day, but every single day I'm there. 

I do not like to wish time away, but I'm really feeling the winter slump. I'm excited for warmer weather, and I'm not greedy. I'll be excited with above freezing temperatures at this point. My motivation has taken a strong hit, but the part of me that's dedicated to finding the sunshine at the end of the grey is still going strong.