A LOT of people seem to be struggling to find a sense of motivation at the moment. There is quite a bit of despondency in the air. One of the reasons might be that the summer holidays will soon be over.

It’s hard to believe that there’s only one more full week until the children go back to school.

I don’t think I am the only one who feel that the summer seems to have gone in a flash. We all seem to have an expectation that we should feel rejuvenated at the end of the summer holidays.

We hear about other people’s summer trips and adventures and wonder why we aren’t feeling quite as full of bounce. If that sounds in any way familiar then here are a couple of suggestions. The first is not to worry too much if you are feeling low on motivation or drive at the moment.

This could well be your own way of telling yourself that you need to stop for a bit and give yourself time for a proper break. Summer can be restful for some, but for others it is a whirlwind of sorting out extra childcare arrangements, managing work and family at the same time as well as trying to sort out outings and trips and managing what is often a tight budget on top.

It might be called a holiday but it doesn’t always feel like a rest.

If this resonates with you, try and find an opportunity for a proper rest – however that might look for you personally. Before we find a new sense of drive and motivation sometimes we just need to take the time to stop and rest for a little while first.

The second thing is to make sure you have something to look forward to. When we are feeling low on motivation it can feel a real struggle to get through our daily tasks.

Getting up and going to work can feel like a slog. In these cases it can be really helpful to have something positive to focus on in the near or medium term future.

Spend some time planning something in the next few days or weeks that you will really enjoy. It does not have to be anything extravagant – it could be a lunch out somewhere with a friend or some time for a long walk in the woods.

The important thing is that it is something you will genuinely enjoy and time that is reserved just for you.

Once you do this you will find that you immediately feel a bit more energised because the days ahead are not just filled with routine and responsibilities but also contain something designed around your own wellbeing needs.

Having something to look forward to can make a real positive difference to how we feel about life in the here and now. We are all going through a challenging time at the moment in a whole number of ways.

Don’t forget to stop occasionally and really listen to your own needs. Taking time to stop for a moment and do something for yourself as well as having things to look forward can be helpful things to do when you find yourself low on drive and motivation.

Above all, be kind to yourselves, your own wellbeing is one of the most valuable assets you have.