No Motivation? Embrace the Spirit of Ubuntu
Editor’s Note: Even I needed to take a timeout from to do’s to focus in the moment and make moves (quite literally, to a new state!). It feels great to be re-energized and aligned, and I hope the same for you. None of us are invincible to the ongoing uncertainty of the world!
Blame it on my former days in the film industry, but I can’t help but compare life to movies sometimes. Right now, it seems like most people can agree with feeling a bit like Bill Murray’s character, Phil, in the 1993 film Groundhog Day. At times it seems as if there’s no escape from the time loop. Our daily routine and the uncertain state of the world are two things we can count on. It’s quite a strange dichotomy.
As I’ve coached individuals and teams this past year, I’ve noticed one theme continue to emerge. That is, a desire to shake-up one’s life with something new and different, while hoping the world settles into a relative state of calm. We’re seeing this play out presently as individual’s try out new companies, new roles, and/or new careers in the Great Reshuffle. And, while some have seemed to find their footing, others are still feeling stuck in the time loop.
This feeling is potentially a result of collective trauma based on over two years of managing through a pandemic, layoffs and furloughs, environmental disasters, social and racial injustices, the war in Ukraine, another refugee crisis, and an economic downturn. Whew! Roxanne Cohen Silver has a term for all the chaos and crises we’ve endured, “cascading collective trauma.” It’s defined as compounding catastrophes that yield stronger emotional responses with each new exposure (Silver, Holman, Garfin, 2021). In other words, as an individual attempts to process a significant event or catastrophe, a new event or catastrophe arises.
Here lies one reason you might be experiencing a dose of Groundhog Day. New day, different crisis. All the while, the emotions continue to mount. It’s no surprise then, that feelings of depression, anxiety, stress, and general moroseness are on the rise. According to WHO, depression and anxiety increased by over 25% in 2019 (World Health Organization, 2022).
How does one manage through this spin cycle brought on by constant uncertainty (read: crises)?
First, hit the pause button. What is one immediate need that will make you feel better? Maybe it’s the workout you’ve been itching to get in the last few days or the movie you’ve been dying to see. Whatever it is, do it. Give yourself the break and the self care.
Second, now that you’re in a more relaxed state, what is an immediate action you can take in the next day or two to create the space for more self care? For example, if you are in dire need of sleep while balancing work and a new baby at home, who in your family, community, friendship circle, or parent group can come to the rescue? In Africa they have a concept called ubuntu, in which the welfare of one affects the welfare of all. We are all interconnected. How can you and your community support each other?
Third, once you have a better grasp on your wellbeing, start to ideate and jot down a goal you’d like to tackle in the next 3 months. What are the steps to get you there? Celebrate each small step along the way. You’ve earned it.
Generally I love long-term goals, but with the global state of uncertainty coupled with the personal state of moroseness, short-term goals and self-care are more likely to offer a greater return on investment for individuals right now. They are small sparks felt within that offer the motivation and mindset needed to keep going. You’ve got this.
Image: The spirit of ubuntu lives on in Cape Town, South Africa.
References
Silver, R.C., Holman, E.A. & Garfin, D.R. Coping with cascading collective traumas in the United States. Nat Hum Behav 5, 4–6 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-020-00981-x
World Health Organization. (2022, June 17). WHO highlights urgent need to transform mental health and mental health care. https://www.who.int/news/item/17-06-2022-who-highlights-urgent-need-to-transform-mental-health-and-mental-health-care