This is NOT a Motivational Message
This is my first op-ed. It has always been difficult for me to begin things, and just as difficult for me to finish them.
This is not, however, a matter of motivation. Growing up, discussions of “motivation” and “willpower” dominated most conversations, propaganda, and educational material when it came to creating our “future”.
The reason I have so many quotation marks here is that these concepts are all dominated by a framework that is historically contingent on capitalism and patriarchy.
Work is not about motivation. It is not about willpower. And it is certainly not about strength.
Work is something we all have to shoulder from the moment we are deemed “adults”. For some, that is when children turn the age of 10; for others, 12; and for others, 18.
The word “adult” alone assumes a sort of independence and agency, but how can that be true if the fact that we are even classified as adults is not under our control?
Who decided that I became an adult when I graduated from school and applied to college? Who decided that another girl became an adult when she was forced into an arranged marriage at 14?
Other people did. Circumstances did. History did. It is difficult to say.
What is not difficult for me to say, however, is that one of the most harmful tendencies in our world is shaming idleness and lack of work, incessantly romanticizing and fetishizing children who “overcome their circumstances” and bring themselves to work.
Coupled with this is continuously putting down anyone who is not deemed ambitious enough or strong enough to handle the “reality” of our time, a “reality” that is so taken for granted that merely questioning it will earn you an accusation: You’re too weak. You’re just making excuses. You’re too unmotivated.
In the corporate world, you’re surrounded by them: Powerade’s “Power through” and Sprint’s “Yes you can” are two of many brand slogans we hear almost everyday.
On social media, you’re bombarded with them: “be a leader of your own life;” “the harder the battle, the sweeter the victory;” and “stop wishing, start doing” are just some examples.
My favorite of all these, though, is funnily enough, Nike’s “Just do it.”
Let’s get back to the fact that this is my first op-ed and my first semester as managing English editor for The Caravan. I was scared and tired and I did not feel up to the task. I felt too small for it. But I decided to “just do it” and that does not make me strong. it does not mean I overcame anything or powered through anything.
My choice does not mean that those who would opt out are weak. My choice means I took a step and I just did it. And that does not mean much. But it might also turn out to become a very rewarding experience.
But romanticizing these choices only puts down those whose pace, interests, and circumstances are different from ours. And that is why my message is not one of motivation, but one of, I hope, compassion and empathy: just do it, if you can, and for everyone else, just don’t ridicule those who don’t.
Their choices are as valid as yours.
