A Spark to Finding Hell Yes Inspiration When You're Not Feeling It

In this episode of Hell Yes Habits, Elyse Bushard discusses the importance of finding inspiration during times of feeling uninspired. She emphasizes the need for self-awareness, acknowledging feelings, and understanding the reasons behind them. Elyse encourages listeners to revisit past experiences that brought joy, start small to create momentum, and ultimately take charge of their lives to create a fulfilling and exciting existence. The conversation is rooted in personal growth, self-care, and the power of community.

Takeaways

• Ditch the just fine mindset and embrace a hell yes life.
• Finding inspiration can be challenging, but it's essential.
• Acknowledge your feelings without guilt or pressure.
• Get curious about your emotions and their origins.
• Revisit activities that once brought you joy.
• Small actions can lead to significant changes.
• You have the power to create your own inspiration.
• Life is too short to feel stuck and uninspired.
• Focus on what feels authentic to you.
• Claim the joy and hell yes moments in your life.

#Mindset #Inspiration #SmallActionsBigResults #HellYesHabits

Transcript

Elyse Bushard (00:06)
welcome to Hell Yes Habits. I'm Elise, a marketing professional by day and your go-to coach for building the habits that create a life you can't wait to wake up to. I'm so glad you're here. This podcast is all about ditching the just fine mindset and making room for the magic in your everyday life. And let me tell you, this isn't just a podcast. It's the start of a movement, a Hell Yes Habits movement.

It's about breaking out of autopilot, showing up for yourself in ways that matter, and creating small but powerful habits that lead to a big, bold, hell yes kind of life. Each week, we'll have real, honest conversations about juggling all the things, career, relationships, family, and those moments when you just need you time. I'll share actionable tips, lessons from my own journey,

and inspiration to help you stop settling and start thriving, baby. You in?, let's do this.

Elyse Bushard (01:18)
Hello, hello and welcome to another episode of hell yes habits I'm coming at you not even from my room I'm actually pet sitting for a co-worker slash friend in Fort Collins and It is the day that I'm supposed to be releasing a podcast again Just painting the picture for you here but

I think I'm actually gonna record two today and like bulk record, like, you know, like plan ahead for once. But anyways, I wanted to get on here. think I'm, because I was actually struggling with a topic to come up with to record. And by the way, if you ever have topic suggestions, ideas, I mean, you guys are my people, you listen.

religiously every week. And so I would love to hear anything that you're struggling with, any topic ideas that you need help with, that you're going through. Because as you know, like, I love to talk about stuff as I'm in the thick of it, and how I'm navigating it, because I feel like that's just more relatable. And so this topic came up because I was like, I like, I just cannot come up with like a podcast idea.

I'm just not feeling inspired and then I was like, my god, Elise that is a podcast idea and so I want to talk about finding inspiration when you're just not feeling it and Have a real conversation with you because that's what I'm going through right now this week for this podcast, but like I go through phases where I'm like, why am I just not feeling it and

I'm not talking about being lazy or procrastinating, because I feel like that's like a completely different topic. What I'm talking about are those times when life just feels heavy and you're overthinking things and you're exhausted and just feeling uninspired. And even the things that you want to love, they just don't hit the same. And they...

and things that you used to love doing just don't hit the same and don't light you up in that moment and you don't understand why. So if that's where you're at right now, you're not alone. I've been there too and today we're diving into not only what to do when you can't find inspiration, but how to get that energy back and things that I ask myself.

Just to become more aware of the actions I can take. So let's dive in. First and foremost, you want to have awareness. You want to acknowledge where you're at. So let's stop pretending that everything's fine if it's not. And life can get overwhelming, okay? Work, relationships, family, your health. Sometimes it all piles up together.

and you're left feeling just like heavy, like I said, and like life is just weighing you down and there's so much happening. And so if you're like me, you overthink and you start spiraling and it's just not like the combination of everything. It just weighs you down. But guess what? Like just being aware of that and your emotions during that.

Like that's okay, like it's normal and you're not alone and you don't have to force positivity because that's not actual positivity, right? That's fake. And you don't have to force it or hustle through it. I hate this like hustle culture that we think that like the more we have on our plate, the more we'll feel good. And that's not true. And just pushing through it is not gonna help.

You have to acknowledge your feelings and give yourself permission to pause and just feel all the feelings without the guilt. And sometimes that's uncomfortable, right? Because depending on your personality type, sometimes you don't want to feel all the feelings. You're not that type of person, but you could at least validate your feelings. And that's really all I'm saying about this is like being aware of the way you're feeling and

like giving yourself grace of knowing that it's in that honesty and that awareness where we start to create space for the spark to come back. Because if you don't acknowledge it, you're just burying it. So feel the feelings, feel them, whatever that looks like for you. I'm not saying it's a good cry on the bathroom floor.

Sometimes it is for me personally, but, or a cry in the shower, there's something about crying in the shower that like I feel better about because it just like washes away. I don't know, if you haven't tried it, try it. Also, no one thinks there's something wrong with you because they can't hear you crying because the shower's running. So, tip there. If you are going through it, sometimes,

that just helps to mentally become aware of it and wash it away. But again, a lot of people aren't criers, right? But all I'm saying is that you need to be aware of your feelings and just acknowledge them. Another thing that I do is I get curious about why. And these are asking questions. You know those annoying questions that kids ask? They're like,

you answer them and then they just keep asking why. Well, I want you to like five why your life. We do this in marketing a lot too, to find like the root cause of things. I worked for a marketing agency if you didn't know. So we do this with our clients to figure out the real root of what we're trying to solve. So you can do this in this aspect about you and your feelings like

Ask yourself, why do I not feel inspired right now? Am I burned out from doing too much for everyone else? That happens to be as an enneagram too. If you don't know the enneagrams, look it up. It's a great tool to acknowledge and figure out people around you, your friends, family, workplace, anyways. But are you doing too much for anyone else, everyone else?

That is a huge thing for me personally. I tend to pour into other people before myself. I used to be much worse at it. But are you burned out from doing too much for everyone else? If you're a mom, I know this from having mom friends and being close with them. You tend to do everything for your kids and not care for yourself. And then basically when you do that, you're pouring from an empty cup.

Second question that could relate to you in some way. Are you saying yes to things out of obligation and no to things that fill you up? And if you've been around the fill you up part is the things that make you say hell yes. So are you saying more thing, are you saying no to more things that like, that light you up, that make you want to jump and do them?

because it aligns with your purpose and who you are. And just saying yes because you feel like you should or you have to. Or maybe this third thing, you're just feeling stuck in a routine that feels stale and draining because you haven't shifted it to this new season of life and so it doesn't feel aligned for you. So you can't fix something

But in the point with asking like all these kind of broad questions is just to be curious, right? And ask these questions to yourself because you can't fix something if you don't understand it. So get real with yourself. What's draining your energy and holding you back from feeling that hell yes, if you will spark the hell yes spark that like, that like you.

feel aligned and purposeful, because that's where that inspiration comes from. So step two is basically just getting curious about why you're feeling the way that you're feeling. Step three is revisit what used to be a hell yes. And I don't feel like we do this enough. Think back to a time where you felt alive. maybe it was trying something new. Maybe it was when you were traveling.

to a new place. What were you doing and who were you with and what did your days look like? And then it's like, how can I recreate that? Or maybe it was something as simple as blasting your favorite songs in the car with the windows down, spending hours getting lost in a creative project or laughing so hard with your friends.

that you start crying or you can't breathe. Whatever it was, ask yourself, why am I not doing more of that now or scheduling more of that in my life? And I'm big on like scheduling. Some people time block. I find that too restricting, but I am saying that like basically however you schedule out your day,

Why are you not doing more things at least once a month that light you up and create that feeling like those things that light you up? And that's gonna be different for everyone. For me, it's 90s and 2000s hip hop in the car. Like it lights me up every time. I listen to it, I'm driving, I feel alive. I don't care what I look like.

Even when I'm at a stoplight and you look over and you're like rapping to Eminem, I don't care. But because I just like I feel in that mode. Also, I love driving. I'm weird, but like I love driving and listening to music. It's like I just always have loved it. And so it's something that brings me joy. I also have found like being around people brings me joy. I took a kickboxing class this past weekend.

Like a full on kickboxing class. I'm talking about like with gloves, a punching bag. Like this wasn't like a, an at home workout, like you're punching the air. It was like full on kickboxing class. I was sweating balls. I'm just telling you. But it was so fun and I tried it. It was new. I knew no one but like one or two people there and it was so fun. But like it's,

It's creating those moments again that light us up. Because here's the thing, just because life gets heavier, it doesn't mean you have to lose the things that bring you joy. And sometimes we just forget how important they are. So it's time to bring back those things and new experiences because that's where we're gonna gain our inspiration back. Another thing,

that I tend to do is I start small, right? And I've talked about this in numerous episodes in different ways, but like if you start small and you start integrating small little micro changes, that creates momentum and consistency. So when you're uninspired, it's easy to think you need some grand life changing plan to feel better or a new tattoo for instance, or

like something permanent and grand that just, but the truth is that like the spark often comes from the smallest of actions. So like put on your favorite playlist and dance around like you did in high school or middle school. Go for a walk and let yourself just like daydream and not think about your to-do list for once. Call that one friend who always makes you laugh.

if you haven't talked to them for a while or voice message them. I've been voice messaging a few of my friends and I actually really like it, side note, because it actually makes me feel like I'm talking to them, even if it's like a couple days in between. Anyways, pro tip, voice memos are great. And then try something you've never done before. I just said that kickboxing class option.

I'm gonna join, there's like this new like dance hip hop workout class. I've been following this, like it's called Fly Dance Fitness. I can tag them below or reach out to me. But they are from Florida, but they're opening a location in Colorado. And I'm totally gonna be one of their first like members. I'm gonna try, cause like I'm not a good dancer.

But I love 90s and 2000s hip hop and I would love like that interaction and just to meet new people that way who love that type of music. Anyways, try something you've never done before just to like shake things up. Inspiration is found there. It is. And the goal isn't to fix everything overnight. That's what I wanna say with these like micro changes. It's to create tiny moments that remind you

what it feels like to enjoy life again. And it's so important to do that and to just let go of the pressure to do it perfectly, right? And just do small, integral actions. You don't need to reinvent your life or find the perfect answer right away. And some days, just showing up.

to the things that you need to show up to is enough and giving yourself grace. And some days inspiration is simple. It's like stepping outside or letting yourself laugh at a joke, even if it's a dumb dad joke or if you're like me, I freaking love puns. But the point is it doesn't have to be that big. It doesn't have to...

but it does have to be yours. It has to be something that is for you. So stop trying to do what works for other people, what they are loving on Instagram, and just start focusing on what feels authentic to you. That is literally where the hell yes magic happens and where that inspiration can be found.

To recap, I know I went over a lot, but the first thing is to just acknowledge where you're at, how you're feeling, that your feelings are valid. Step two is just to get curious about your why. Ask yourself specific questions like why don't I feel inspired right now? Am I saying yes to things that are out of obligation and no to things?

that fill me up and why am I doing that? You can keep going, you could five-wire your life if you'd like. The next thing is revisit what used to be a hell yes. So whether it was going as far back as like when you were a kid or maybe just blasting your favorite songs in the car if you're like me, 2000s, 90s, hip hop, R &B.

Just saying, if you see me driving down the road and you live in Colorado, that's like 99 % what I'm listening to even during the Christmas season sometimes. And then step four is to start small, to create that momentum. And when you're uninspired, like it's easy to like think you need to overhaul your life, but that's small.

Like action is really gonna help you create that momentum and that small thing could just be like going outside for a walk. Just doing something outside the norm will help spark inspiration again. So just, I know that was a lot. But in life, I know that it could feel like a,

endless to-do list. can feel like a lot and it can weigh you down. But I want to remind you that you only get one shot at this. One life to build something that feels freaking amazing. So why spend it feeling stuck, uninspired and weighed down by things that don't matter in the long run and things that people aren't going to remember you by and things that when you're laying

on your deathbed, you're not gonna remember. You're gonna remember the moments where you picked yourself up when you weren't inspired. And really, I'm talking to myself right now just as much as I'm talking to you. That's what I want this podcast to be about. So you've got so much to give, so much joy to find, and so many hell yes moments waiting for you.

But it literally is up to you to go out and claim them. So start small, say yes to what lights you up, and don't be afraid to change things up. You deserve that life that feels exciting, fun, and uniquely you. Remember that inspiration doesn't always come to you, and you have to create it.

Again, another message for myself this week. and I'm doing it right now. This podcast lights me up. You guys light me up. So let's make this year, this week, this day,

a hell yes to the life you've always wanted. You've got this friend, I love you. I thank you so much for listening

Elyse Bushard (21:22)
If any part of this podcast gave you a hell yes moment, I would absolutely love to hear from you. You know here at Hell Yes Habits, we're all about finding what makes you feel good and turning your everyday habits into hell yes habits. We're building a community rooted in connection and growth and your voice is a huge part of that. If this episode was helpful for you, it would mean the world to me if you shared it.

on your Instagram stories and tagged me at Elise Bechard. Not only so I can thank you personally, but to help spread the word about this Hell Yes Habits movement. Thanks for hanging out with me today and I'll catch you next time. Let's keep creating those habits that light you up and build the life you deserve. Until then, go make it a Hell Yes Day.