Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Motivation.
F*ck the Trolls
The first ever short story I wrote was shortlisted for a prize. I didn't even know what "shortlisted" meant! I had been writing my fashion and lifestyle blog for years, which had attracted the attention of some online and print publications, so I knew I could write, but my career was built around critical pieces about copycat designers and the colorism of the Carnival industry in Caribbean. The closest I had ever gotten to a short story before this, was a notebook my best friend and I wrote in when we were in high school. We each alternated writing chapter by chapter, a story of this girl who falls in love with a boy-band popstar at summer camp. Our classmates lined up to rent the book for half hour intervals during the lunch break. It was an unrealistic racy story of these young teenagers sneaking off to get frisky every second-- puberty porn if you must. Some twenty years later, a client of mine sent me details for a short story competition, saying she thought I would be great for it. I had never even read a short story at that point, but there was small prize money, and it was for Caribbean-Americans (my niche) so I thought it might be good out-of-the-box writing practice. I never expected to get as far as a long list, far less a short list! And when I read my story at the award ceremony, people rolled with laughter at my quirky characters; two young kids trying to steal a pack of nuts from their mom's workplace. The next year I entered the competition again, and I won first place!
By Stephanie Ramlogan6 years ago in Motivation
Relearning The Art Of Being Grateful
I've been through a lot of things that my conscious mind likes to repress. That being said, it is easy for my mind to drift into a depressive funk. For years, the only way to battle my negative thoughts and memories were the loathsome tasks of putting myself to bed early, distracting myself, or staring at a wall. It was easier to stare at a wall and think of nothing, than deal with negative obsessive thoughts. 2020 negatively impacting everyone around me did little to help the situation. If I was not in a bad mood, the first person I came across usually was. My day might start okay, but it took less than an hour at work for someone to come ruin it.
By Julie Lawrence6 years ago in Motivation
Fresh Start:
Fresh makes me think of the ripe, deep pink, watermelon that I just cut into on a summer day as the juices drip off the blade of my knife creating a sticky coating on my countertop. Fresh is what I think about when the spring air has awoken from hibernation to overcome the beast and the beauty of the winter. Fresh, tells a story of new, unbothered, and untainted. With every new year, I beg for a fresh start. A way of waking up one day to place my feet firmly on the floor and like a snake, shed the skin I am in. I imagine that every particulate of dead and dry skin holds a thousand emotions, memories and bits of all that is misunderstood about me. I hope that a fresh start will mean that, when I open my eyes to face the morning, my brain will no longer be “different,” and therefore easier to understand.
By Caralee Core6 years ago in Motivation
Reimagining My Resolutions for 2021
In past years, my resolutions have been aimed towards vague self-improvement over the coming year. They took the forms of various goals such as “workout 3 times a week”, “get a promotion at work”, and “read 1 book a month”. I felt that if I achieved them, I would be fulfilled; however, I would instead be left disappointed by the lack of satisfaction upon completion. These goals would also cause me to have a “what’s next” mentality in which I was anxiously preoccupied with what I had to do following my current action to accomplish my goals. It was upon realizing this that I decided to switch things up for my resolutions this year; instead of choosing distant goals, I am focusing on intentions that can guide me in my journey. I was able to do this by practicing a self-reflective “seeing” exercise and shifting my mindset about pursuing goals.
By Your Pursuit of Wellness6 years ago in Motivation
My first place.
A need for independence After breaking up with my last boyfriend I had this need to do something. I was not sure if it was something big or just something that was for me alone since I put so much effort into him. I finally realized I could move out on my own. This was a little daunting since I knew I would need to live alone but exhilarating at the same time. I would, for the first time in my life, be living alone. Being in my late twenties, about to enter my thirties, it felt like this was just the perfect time. Without thinking too much about it, I found my current place and moved out within in a month. It felt amazing to be on my own finally, but I did not realize how much work it would be or the feeling of loneliness that would come with it.
By Lisa Jacovsky 6 years ago in Motivation
Goal Setter. Goal Getter.
2020, you’re dead to me. And yes, it’s personal. For the past five or so years, I’ve been an avid goal setter and goal getter. I love that feeling of crossing out a goal, knowing I completed it and giving myself that sense of “wow, you are a productive member of society.” Last year was no different. I was going to save money, travel more, find a great job, and get in the best shape of my life because damn it, I was turning thirty. Ha. Yeah. I didn’t achieve any of that. And I know I’m not alone. The worst year ever really maintained the consistency of spoiled milk that no one wanted to deal with, so they just left it in the fridge.
By LyssDC6 years ago in Motivation
Top tips to improve your self confidence
Focusing on our wellbeing is arguably more important than ever right now. The COVID-19 pandemic is having a measurable impact on our physical and mental health. Research shows it’s having a disproportionate effect on women’s wellbeing due to existing gender imbalances. As if being a modern woman wasn’t hard enough, right?
By Caitlin Purvis6 years ago in Motivation
The Secret To Making The Most of Your Mornings. Top Story - January 2021. Created with: Lull.
The past few new years, my resolution has remained the same: to have a more productive morning. I’ve had this idea in my head of what the perfect day looks like for me, and it always begins with an early morning. It is well known there exists a relationship between waking up before sunrise and success. It seems that the most successful individuals understand the importance of getting a head start to their day, which is what led me to find my perfect mattress.
By raeann6 years ago in Motivation
dreamer vs. DREAMER!
A quick thing about me will help me convey the message for today; I tend to eavesdrop on conversations I have no business being a part of. What can I say, I just love a good story! Whenever I walk to my next destination I always keep an ear out for any information I could potentially use. Not in a blackmail/gossip sort of way, but in an honest search for key phrases for me to bring up for someone else's benefit at some future time. You may think that's weird; low key I agree with you. I simply can't help it. I have found this little habit to be useful in such big ways!
By Mahonry Franco6 years ago in Motivation
