Feeling Unmotivated Lately?

What I learned about laziness, alignment & motivation…

Image Canva Pro; edits by Melissa Harris 2026

Here lately, when I launch into my day and dive into all my normal duties, I’m noticing…

…that I’m feeling less and less energized about my daily routine.

Less and less motivated to do it.

I have places to go, things to do, bills to pay, and yet…

I find myself thinking, “Ugh! Do I have to?”

Have you ever felt like that?

You start your day like you always do, only to look at your to-do list and say:

“I don’t want to do any of this!”

You used to handle these things just fine. On autopilot. So why does it all seem so uninspiring now?

Why do you feel so unmotivated?

And then that critical voice in your head tells you, “You’re becoming lazy…”

This is exactly where I was when this thought struck me:

Feeling unmotivated is not really laziness at all.

It’s actually a sign of something else.

Motivation doesn’t just disappear for no reason.

It fades when we’re out of alignment with ourselves.

When the actions we’re taking on the outside no longer match who we think we are on the inside.

And if you’re over 50 like I am? Oh yes… midlife is famous for these feelings.

{BTW, I talk about this subject in my new YouTube video. Watch it here >>}

Why motivation vanishes

When we’re younger, we know what we’re expected to do and we accept (and even enjoy) doing it.

We’re busy building careers, raising kids, taking care of everyone, fostering friendships…

…checking all the boxes that matter to us.

Our needs and goals that we’ve defined are being met. A routine begins. Simple.

We live on default.

But somewhere along the way — in our 40s or 50s — life experience catches up with us. Things happen: Losses. Transitions. Wake-up calls. Moments that change how we see the world.

And our values, priorities, and what we want (and no longer want) start shifting on the inside.

And, before you know it, energy, motivation, and inspiration fades.

We have changed, but our daily lives haven’t.

We’re still holding onto the default — the old routines, roles, expectations, and duties.

Things that once felt high priority and meaningful, we care less about.

What used to inspire us doesn’t anymore.

And because we’re so used to going and doing, we don’t stop to ask why. We just keep moving. Keeping up the status quo. Doing what we’ve always done.

Until motivation fades to nothing.

And then we label ourselves as lazy.

Why do I feel like this?

You lack motivation, not because you’re lazy, but because…

You’re out of alignment with yourself.

Your inner world has evolved — but your outer world hasn’t caught up yet.

When the actions you’re taking on the outside no longer match who you are on the inside.

There’s a gap. That’s the misalignment!

And not having the external line up with the internal feels out of sync. Not being aligned drains motivation.

A Shoe Analogy

Think about it like this…

Imagine trying to put on shoes that used to fit you perfectly…

… but now your feet have grown.

You wouldn’t say, “My feet are lazy because they don’t fit these shoes anymore.”

Of course not. Makes no sense.

You’d say, “These shoes don’t fit me anymore. I’ve outgrown them.”

Old shoes don’t fit new feet. And it’s not the feet’s fault, nor the shoes’ fault.

It’s time for a new pair of shoes.

And that’s what’s happening in our misaligned lives.

Natural inspiration and motivation aren’t available for a life that no longer fits who you are.

They will not show up when there is a gap, a misalignment.

A simple mental shift

When I realized all of this, I stopped thinking:

❌ Why am I so lazy?

Judgmental. And not helpful.

Instead, I chose to see my feelings as a sign:

✅ What’s changed?

New perspective. Encouraging self-assessment and understanding.

Lack of motivation is a signal.

It’s your inner self trying to tell you that something in your life is not in sync.

And you need to find out what it is.

Instead of immediately judging yourself as lazy…

Ask. A. Better. Question.

• What am I losing interest in? Why?
• What am I doing just because I’ve always done it?
• What matters to me now that I didn’t prioritize before?

And listen to the answers that come up from your heart, not your head. They tell all.

Alignment brings motivation back

Once you pinpoint the gap, allow yourself the grace to make an adjustment in your routine.

The idea is to align what you do with who you are now.

Maybe it’s:

• Saying no to 1 thing on your to-do list that has you the least motivated
• Delegating or postponing something that seems less important now
• Changing how you do something on your list, if you can’t stop doing it yet

If you’re feeling unmotivated right now, you’re outgrowing a version of life that once made sense to you.

It’s natural. That’s growth.

And we all know, we can’t force motivation.

When you bring your external life into harmony with your internal truths, motivation returns… naturally.

Watch the YouTube video here: *Lacking motivation? It could be your alignment >>*

Dare to rewrite your story & become Real.

The Modern Woman’s Real Reinvention Roadmap was specially designed to lead you through a purposeful reinvention process step-by-step. It empowers you in a personal, fun, no-pressure way to re-discover those beautiful parts of yourself that you may have placed on a back-burner and re-identify your true core values that have matured through time and life experience. Uncover renewed purpose and the confidence in yourself to fulfill it!

Join the Real Reinvention Movement!

Weekly newsletter with reinvention tips, support, and resources for women 45+ who are managing life transitions, such as empty nest, retirement, and finding themselves single again. Questions answered, lessons learned, and new ideas shared to make your next chapter your best chapter!

Subscribe to Real Reinvention »

FYI. Links included in this article will take you to sites outside of the Medium platform.

Have you been feeling less motivated, less energetic about your usual routine? Now you know why! Share your thoughts in the COMMENTS below.