Motivation won’t last, here’s what will
This post is coming to you courtesy of a never-ending snow day.
I’m on a yoga practice streak. My little habit tracker app has been lit up like a Christmas tree ever since my husband and I got back from his film premiere in NYC a few weeks ago.
Oh how things change…
Back in 2011 this would be a given. When I had only one child and was trying to prove myself in a hierarchical yoga system while drowning in body-centric perfectionism I practiced a lot. I practiced every day except Sunday. And even then I always practiced Yoga Nidra because I felt so guilty taking a break.
Fast forward 15 years. I’m more authentically aligned. Not so perfectionistic. Not invested in systems that don’t invest in or support me. I have a second child and intense carpool duties. I strength train. I coach. I don’t practice yoga as much.
In December, though, I realized I really hadn’t practiced much. More importantly, I realized I missed it.
The two things you need
If you’ve ever tried to resurrect an old habit you know it’s not as easy as it sounds. In 2011 I was in a deep groove (maybe too deep). In 2026 that grove is more of an overgrown trail. It’s a lot harder to find and follow than it was when it was a well traveled path.
Two things are helping me find my way back:
1 - Commitment
2. - Curiosity
Commitment beats Motivation
First, the unsexy bit: Commitment.
Like most people I’d like to rely on Inspiration, Enthusiasm, Motivation or Driving Desire to bring me to my yoga mat. But if I’m totally honest those days of intense drive are long gone. Also, my reality is that I can only practice when it fits my schedule. Unless Inspiration shows up every Monday at 9am it’s not gonna help me. Motivation et al. are fickle and unreliable. I have to rely on commitment
Commitment is that promise we can make to ourselves to show up anyway. Bored, disinterested? Show up anyway. Didn’t sleep well, would rather doom scroll? Show up anyway. Filled with self-judgement and wondering why you’re doing this? Show up anyway.
Being able to show up anyway will take you further than motivation will over time. Motivation fades. Commitment sticks around.*
Caveat - ‘Show up anyway’ isn’t ‘Show up no matter what’. Only you can know when you need to show up or not. Compassion is the key to making that decision.
Curiosity Keeps You Going
If commitment was all there was to it, I’d still be on my couch. That’s because I’m very good at starting my commitments… tomorrow. The partner to commitment is curiosity.
I have a friend who seems endlessly curious about her practice. She alway tells me about new things she discovers in her body or her breath or the philosophy. When I talk to her, it lights up questions in me. When I take the questions to my mat, something opens.
My commitment gets me to the mat, my curiosity keeps me there. On days when I am woefully unmotivated for practice I give myself time to explore with no end goal. I follow my body and breath. Eventually something emerges. A tiny thread… a “what if I…?” or “how about this…?” Before I know it, I’ve had a vibrant practice and am resting back in savasana with a contented sigh.
Sustain for the Long Haul
I’m into yoga for the long haul. Curiosity and Commitment are keeping me on my mat. And as long as that happens I’m willing to stand up in front of you and share it.
You may not have any desire to do more with your yoga. Cool. But if it’s not yoga, you probably have something else… a passion you want to revive, a cause you care about, a creative project, or a New Year’s resolution you already forgot. Whatever it is, if you’re stuck you might need more commitment, more curiosity, or more of both.
Two simple steps can keep you going for a long time…
Make a (reasonable) plan that includes accountability - there’s your commitment.
Ask some interesting questions - there’s your curiosity.
Let these get you started and see what happens. I bet they’ll keep you going longer than motivation ever did.
And hey! Reach out if you get stuck along the way. I’ve got a few open slots for 1:1 work in early 2026.