1-1-1: finding your 'why'
read about how to keep going when the motivation runs out.
january, 2025
edition 60.
dear reader,
I’m writing to you wrapped up in a heated blanket because it’s freezing-degrees in london and I don’t think I’m built for the winter. I took 3 weeks off of writing this newsletter, one more than I thought I would, and it felt so freeing to give myself permission to take a break. I don’t really do that — willingly take a break — and it’s a muscle I need to continue to exercise. so thank you for your patience with me and the return of this newsletter. while I absolutely love the substack community we have created, I also am prioritizing sustainability in 2025.
since it’s a new year, there are so many questions about ‘new year new me’ and ‘new years resolutions’ which I have mixed opinions partaking in. on the one hand, I find it so motivating to set goals and reflect on the past year and feel like I’m “setting myself up for success.” on the other, I know that consistency is better than any motivational trend.
so in that vein, I’m dedicating this newsletter to everything I’ve learned about finding my ‘why’ and keeping up motivation during times when it feels low.
finally, this edition is free but some of my editions will not be. if you find my writing valuable and you want to support my work, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. you’ll get access to all of my previous editions, free and paid.
you can expect one email from me every week containing:
one quote that has been inspiring me
one journal prompt
one piece of advice*
* = if you want to submit a question for my upcoming emails, you can find the form here.
podcast
there are tons of guest episodes on the podcast from 2024 that are worth checking out — listen to them here <3
one quote
“there is no audience to perform for, there is no approval, no admiration to attain. there is no role worth playing, there is no one to convince. let it go.”
—tordenvejr via tumblr
one journal prompt
what does success mean to me?
one piece of advice
“how do i find my why?”
my ‘why’ was my north star when I was starting recovery. when times got tough (and trust me, they got tough), my ‘why’ urged me to keep going. but what is it, and how do I find it?
a quick definition
to me, a ‘why’ is your reason for doing whatever it is your doing. vague, but let me give you an example: my ‘why’ in recovery was to become the healthiest and happiest version of myself. I wanted to have enough energy to get through the day, stop perpetuating negative and unhelpful patterns, and take back control in areas where I felt I had lost it.
there are many different facets of you, and you’ll have a different ‘why’ or driving reason behind your different pursuits. your ‘why’ for training is very different to your ‘why’ for education — understanding that both can exist and coexist is very important!
lastly, just as you grow and change, your ‘why’ will also grow and change. let it. sometimes we outgrow the reason why we started. that’s a good thing! it’s important to check in with yourself periodically to see if (1) you’re still comfortable with and engaged in pursuing the same goals and, (2) if your driving reason is still the same. I find new years a very natural time to do this check in, but you can do it whenever you want.
now, how do I actually find my why?
great question, dear reader! a ‘why’ can take shape in a sentence or an indescribable feeling. that’s why ‘whys’ are super personal and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. in fact, your ‘why’ can be a sentence for one goal and a feeling for another goal. the power of the why isn’t in the form, it’s in the underlying motivation it provides you.
to pinpoint your why, you can begin to ask yourself a few questions: what motivates me to complete this task or accomplish this feat? how do I want to feel? why do I want to feel this way? how will I feel when I finish this challenge?
some examples
I want to feel healthy and physically strong this year (a sentence ‘why’) —> this motivates you to commit to a workout plan and show up for yourself day in and day out
the feeling of walking down the aisle at graduation knowing that “I did it!” (a feeling ‘why’) —> this motivates you to study, go to office hours, and put in the extra hours
other pathways to finding your why
define what success means to you. is it the same as happiness?
what do you want your day-to-day life to look like and feel like?
what are your hobbies and passions, and how do they intersect with ways you can make a living?
what is the ‘why’ of the people around me? the people I follow?
resources or activities you could try as well: journaling (and there are a lot of journal prompts in this edition), reading both nonfiction and fiction, engaging in your hobbies, talking to people who have life experiences that interest you, disconnect in nature
this is a long edition but I could probably go off on ten more tangents based on the information I’ve already provided. let me leave you with one of my strong whys for 2025 as a starting point: to prove to myself I can.
this edition is free but some of my editions will not be. if you find my writing valuable and you want to support my work, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. you’ll get access to all of my previous editions, free and paid.
reading updates
currently reading: iron flame by rebecca yarros (reread),
finished this week:
the women by kristin hannah
fourth wing by rebecca yarros (reread)
reading challenge: 2/50
if you want to keep up with my reading throughout the week, this is my goodreads :)
discount codes
these links are affiliate which means I'll earn commission if you purchase through them. thank you for the support!
Runna: personalised running training plans — katieeu for 2 weeks free
lululemon: my current list of favourite things
enjoyed this edition?
until we meet again,
katie