Staying motivated for 100 days straight sounds like some Instagram guru nonsense, right? Like, who actually does that? Me, apparently, in my tiny Chicago apartment with the radiator that clanks like it’s auditioning for a horror movie. I’m not some productivity wizard—half the time, I’m just trying to find my other AirPod under the couch. But somehow, I kept the fire going for 100 days, and I’m spilling the tea on how it went down, mistakes and all. It’s messy, it’s real, and it’s got more caffeine than I’d like to admit.
Why I Even Bothered with Staying Motivated
Okay, so picture this: it’s January, I’m in my sweatpants, scrolling X, and I see some rando posting about their “100-day challenge.” I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly pulled a muscle. But then I thought, why not? I was in a rut—job was fine, life was fine, but I was just… coasting. I wanted to feel alive, you know? So, I decided to try staying motivated for 100 days to finish a side project (a podcast about obscure Midwest cryptids, don’t judge).
I grabbed a cheap planner from Target—neon yellow, because apparently, I’m that person—and scribbled “Day 1: Don’t suck.”
That was my vibe: chaotic, hopeful, and a little embarrassed by my own enthusiasm.
Pro tip: According to Forbes, setting a clear “why” is key to keeping motivated. For me, it was proving to myself I could stick with something without bailing when it got hard.
My Morning Ritual for Staying Driven (It’s Not Pretty)
Mornings are my battleground for staying motivated. I’m not one of those “rise and grind” folks who leap out of bed at 5 a.m. Nah, I’m dragging myself out from under my weighted blanket, cursing the sunrise. But I found this weird ritual that works. I chug a glass of water (spilling half of it on my shirt, naturally), blast some Lizzo, and write one sentence about what I’m excited for that day. Sounds cheesy, but it’s like a tiny spark that keeps me driven.
One morning, I wrote, “I’m excited to record the bit about the Mothman statue.” Then I spilled coffee on my laptop and cried a little. True story.
That’s the thing about staying motivated—it’s not all sunshine. You gotta push through the dumb stuff.
Hack alert: Psychology Today says small, consistent habits build momentum. My one-sentence trick was my lifeline when I wanted to quit.
The Days I Almost Lost My Motivation
Look, staying motivated for 100 days straight? Not a smooth ride. Day 37 was a low point. I was at a diner on Clark Street, staring at a plate of soggy fries, feeling like my podcast was garbage. I texted my friend, “Why am I even doing this? Nobody cares about cryptids.” She sent back a shrug emoji—rude, but fair. I sat there, fries getting colder, and realized I was burned out.
So, I took a nap. Like, a legit 3-hour nap on my couch with the TV blaring some true crime doc. When I woke up, I felt… okay. Not great, but okay enough to keep going. That’s the secret, I think—just keep stumbling forward. Staying driven doesn’t mean you’re hyped 24/7. Sometimes, it’s just not giving up when you’re face-down in a pile of self-doubt.
My Weird Tricks for Keeping Motivated
Here’s what worked for me, in no particular order, because my brain’s a mess:
- Sticky notes everywhere. My apartment looks like a Post-it crime scene. I write stuff like “You got this, idiot” and stick them on my fridge.
- Bribing myself. If I worked on my podcast for an hour, I’d let myself watch one episode of Love Is Blind. Guilty pleasure, zero regrets.
- Talking to myself like a hype man. Out loud. In public. Yeah, I got weird looks on the L train, but it kept me pumped.
Fun fact: Harvard Business Review backs this up—self-talk can rewire your brain to stay focused. Who knew my subway rants were science?
The Surprising Stuff I Learned About Staying Motivated
I’m not gonna lie, I thought staying motivated was about being disciplined, like some Navy SEAL. Turns out, it’s more about being kind to yourself. On Day 62, I forgot my lines during a recording and laughed so hard I snorted. I kept that take in the podcast because it felt real. Embracing the mess made me want to keep going.
Also, I learned I’m not above bribing myself with snacks. A bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos got me through editing sessions more than once. Is that healthy? Nope. Did it keep me driven? Hell yeah.
Wrapping Up My 100-Day Motivation Marathon
So, here I am, 100 days later, with a finished podcast and a slightly unhinged sense of pride. Staying motivated wasn’t about perfection—it was about showing up, even when I felt like a hot mess. I’m still in my Chicago apartment, still hearing that radiator clank, but I feel… different. Like, I proved something to myself, you know?
If you’re thinking about your own 100-day thing, just start. Write it down, make it messy, and don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself. Got a tip for staying motivated? Drop it in the comments—I’m all ears. Or, like, all eyes, since it’s text. Whatever, you get it.
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