Motivation, Nausea, and Self-Discovery
The energy in my chest is a restless swirl that spreads to my arms, legs, stomach. I feel sick inside. I open my to-do list and the discomfort sharpens. I lunge at the first task, sloppy and distracted, bouncing to emails, Amazon orders, competing projects. Restlessness grows. I head downstairs for comfort food. People wonder why I don’t respond to emails or texts—even after I’ve read them.
Sound familiar? This is the emotional chaos behind work paralysis. You may have vision, motivation, even discipline. But your inner world hijacks your focus, steals joy, and pushes you toward unhealthy escapes. When we’re uncomfortable, we chase comfort.
That’s why external validation is so addictive. Praise calms the chaos, sharpens focus, and makes achievement sweeter. Many high achievers hide in the #2 spot, terrified of the lonely swirl that comes with leading.
The experts (Deci & Ryan’s Self-Determination Theory) say the solution is ownership and autonomy. Sure. But if it were that easy, the discomfort would vanish. It doesn’t. I know—I built a business, ran marathons, and still wrestle with it. You probably do, too.
So what do you do with the swirl? Not meditation. Not self-care tips. Something better:
Notice it. Where is the energy in your body? How does it move? Watch it without naming or fixing. It shifts on its own.
Sit with it. Imagine pulling up a chair to the version of you who’s panicking. Ask what they need. Reassure them: I’ve got this now. You can rest.
Listen deeper. What is the feeling pointing to? Is the work misaligned? Or do you need to reconnect with what really motivates you about it?
Write it down. Capture what you’ve learned. Work and life are a lab for self-discovery.
Do this, and the swirling storm doesn’t disappear—it transforms. And on the other side you’ll find clarity, compassion, and your next right step.
Also, pro-tip, you might have just had too much caffeine 😉