Muscle Memory

There is power in going through the motions.

I think the phrase “just going through the motions” has gotten a bad rap. I understand the general negative connotation around doing something just because you have to, not because you’re passionate about it. But what about when you don’t feel like doing the things that you are passionate about?

A lot of the time, the things you are passionate about are things you don’t have to do, which makes it even harder to justify just going through the motions! It’s for scenarios like this that I think going through the motions can be the most useful.

I find it deeply distressing when I don’t feel like doing the things I generally enjoy doing, but it happens all the time! I know I’ll feel better if I go on a walk, but somehow I’ll talk myself out of it. I love drawing, but sometimes I get stuck in a spiral of existential dread and start asking unproductive questions like, “What’s even the point?!” The “point” for both of these things—going on a walk or drawing something—isn’t about the output, it’s about the action. It’s about the process. It’s about going through the motions and building momentum.

Two parting questions for you:

1. What’s something you care about that you wish you were making more progress on or doing more often?

2. What small action can you take to just “go through the motions?”

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for being here! It truly means the world to me. In case you missed it, last week I talked about Restless Nerves and reframing the thoughts that keep us up at night. Check it out here.

And for my paid subscribers, please keep scrolling to download a printable version of the Muscle Memory mini zine!