How to stay motivated in 2020

Getting older is something to look forward to, but some of us can often find ourselves without activities and tasks to keep us occupied. Finding ways to stay motivated and driven is important, especially as mobility and the ability to stay active becomes harder.

Finding a hobby or activity to keep you occupied can be tough if you rely on the use of stairlifts or find it hard to get out and meet new people, but there are so many easy and simple ways to keep yourself motivated throughout 2020 and beyond. Continue reading to find out what you can do to keep your mind and body motivated and kick the year off the right way.

Travel

Travel doesn’t have to be daunting, booking a holiday or planning to travel, is a great way to keep yourself motivated and give you something to look forward. Cruising, all-inclusive coach trips or just a UK holiday can require no prior planning and are a really simple way for those with limited mobility to get out and about and visit some favourite locations.

Suzy who blogs at Our Bucket List Lives explained a little more about her mum and how she relies on travel to keep her motivated throughout the year:

“My Mother in Law lost her husband at the end of 2018. She was determined not to let life get her down and to see her future as a new chapter of her life. She moved across the country to be nearer to us, and she has started to go on coach trips to different parts of the UK. She has already been to Torquay and Scotland and plans on going on a trip a month. It's given her a new lease of life and a new sense of freedom. She can't drive anymore, but that isn't stopping her getting on and enjoying new experiences. I think she's got the right idea to keep herself busy and motivated and I'd recommend it to anyone if they can. These coach trips are not expensive.”

Walking

Keeping active and enjoying gentle exercise is a sure-fire way to keep the mind motivated and energised. No matter how physical the exercise, keeping active is one of the best ways to stay happy and healthy, and walking can be a great option for those who enjoying something a little less strenuous.

Heading out on a walk is completely free and can instantly lift your mood, stimulating your mind and your motivation. Enjoy a gentle 20-minute stroll around your local area, nearby park or even a gentle amber around your garden to stretch the legs.

“A fab way to stay active and motivated is to have a walking buddy. Enjoy walks with a friend and be accountable for each other. This way you can both maintain fitness and enjoy the outdoors in good company.” Says Jayne from Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs.

Volunteer

Offering a helping hand for a cause you love is a wonderful way to spend your time and an utterly rewarding one. Whether you are passionate about a local charity shop and you love to visit there in your spare time or you want to help out at a soup kitchen or in a local shop, volunteer work is extremely flexible and is the perfect opportunity for those looking to place their skills into something they love. Not only will you come home with a sense of accomplishment but you’ll leave feeling totally motivated.

Jo who blogs at Cup of Toast explained a little more about her disability and how she finds volunteering the perfect way to keep a sense of routine in her everyday life.

“I may not have hit the over-60 age bracket yet myself, but with a disability that slows me down and can be a little restrictive over my day to day life, I consider that I am able to appreciate the need to stay motivated and keep active. My advice for this is to volunteer. Voluntary work can be found in numerous places and is very flexible. Whether it’s a one-off event or a regular presence, volunteering your time can be hugely beneficial to your community and to yourself. Roles may include physical work with wildlife trusts or community gardening groups; moderately active work such as charity shops, supporting your local Rotary club or hospital; or less mobile jobs such as admin tasks or becoming a school governor. There are so many opportunities, you are bound to be able to find a perfect fit for your skills, ability and lifestyle.”

A spare couple of hours a week might end up turning into three days a week and some volunteering exercises don’t even require you to leave your house, as Erica from The Incidental Parent explained:

“Volunteering gives an enormous sense of accomplishment if you can spare a couple of hours a week to a charity you love that would help keep you motivated. Getting up in the morning knowing you are going to help a good cause by giving it some of your time is fabulous. You could volunteer at a local shelter, or charity shop. You could run coffee mornings with a friend. You don’t even have to leave your house! If you are internet savvy you could help by being an admin on a Facebook group, or doing the books for a local charity.”

Days out

Getting out of the house and into the fresh air can be enough to keep many motivated, but if you find it a little harder, why not head out on a day trip and enjoy an activity or two. Why not head towards your favourite location? Get the bus to your favourite beach, visit a stately home near you or enjoy a film in the cinema.

James, who blogs at You Have To Laugh often sees his parents get involved in days out and often includes the grandchildren too: “My parents are both in their 70s and a massive motivation for them is to get involved with days out with my five-year-old son. Whether it's trips to National Trust places that are nearby or to the seaside for the day, or even just to the local park, they love being able to see the world through his eyes, and I know they get a lot of enjoyment out of the excitement he has for everyday life. 

“They also go for walks twice a week, ideally to different spots where possible. I think a real sense of loneliness and isolation can come from being indoors all the time. So getting out and about, even if it's just for a short walk to the shops, is really important as it keeps them connected to other people, as well as helping to keep them healthy and active.”

Set yourself goals

Putting pen to paper and sitting down to set yourself some goals is one of the easiest ways to stay motivated. If you enjoy setting yourself long-term goals or daily focuses to keep you occupied throughout the day, make sure you document it somewhere close by so you can tick off your accomplishments.

Sarah, blogger at Boo, Roo and Tigger Too recommends setting goals to keep motivation high: “When it comes to getting motivated time can be a little overwhelming. Thinking about the day as a whole you can easily fall into the trap of thinking 'I'll do it later' or 'I've got plenty of time'. Instead set yourself mini-goals throughout the day, be it household chores of getting the washing on before lunch, then hanging it out to dry after lunch, etc.”

Staying motivated and positive is important to overall health and happiness, so ensuring you keep yourself active can be a real benefit as the year progresses. Setting resolutions, spending time with friends and family and getting out into the fresh air are all essential.