When You Can’t Be Bothered: Motivation, Overwhelm & the Juggle

When You Can’t Be Bothered: Motivation, Overwhelm & the Juggle

If you’ve ever thought:

“Why can’t I motivate myself, even when I know what I need to do?”

“How do I keep everything going without burning myself out?”

“Why does it feel like everyone needs something from me?”

— this episode is for you.

This week, A Wake Up Call is back with another listener Q&A, and Tess and Layne are tackling two questions that will feel very familiar if life has been feeling a little too full: how do you find motivation when you simply can’t be bothered, and how do you juggle everything without losing yourself in the process?

First, they unpack why losing motivation isn’t necessarily a sign that you’re lazy or failing. Sometimes you’re overwhelmed. Sometimes you’re depleted. And sometimes your body is asking you to stop pushing and start paying attention.

Tess shares the “bare minimum” approach that helped her move through a winter slump — including the 3km-a-day challenge that taught her just how loud her excuses could become — while Layne explains why action often has to come before motivation. Start with five minutes. Take one step. Make it achievable. Then let momentum do the rest.

Then the conversation turns to the juggle.

Layne opens up about a season when she was caring for her dad, chairing Surfing Australia, running a charity, building a business, speaking, filming and still competing — and the moment someone reflected back to her: that’s a lot.

What looked like capability on the outside was costing her time with the people she loved, her health and her wellbeing. And underneath all that busyness was an even bigger question: what was the juggle giving her?

Together, Layne and Tess explore why being needed, being busy and being the person who can “handle everything” can become part of our identity — and why sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is step out of the middle and realise the world will keep turning without you.

You’ll hear about: Why motivation often follows action, rather than the other way around The “bare minimum” tool for days when everything feels too hard How accountability can help create momentum Why losing motivation can be a signal to look deeper How to tell when your busy life has become unsustainable The hidden emotional payoff we can get from being needed What to let go of, outsource or delegate when you’re overwhelmed Why structure can create more freedom A simple physiological sigh to help regulate your nervous system in moments of overwhelm The questions to ask when the juggle starts costing you more than it’s giving you

Join the Awake Collective Community for monthly masterclasses: https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/awake-collective-sales Get Awake’s transformative book, Know Yourself, Grow Yourself, to live a happier, more purposeful life: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/awake-academy-9781761345869 Follow Layne on Instagram: @Laynebeachley Follow Tess on Instagram: @tesscbrouwer Follow AWAKE on Instagram: @awake_academy Awake’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@awakeacademy_ Sponsor our podcast: https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact Book us for a workshop: https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact

Disclaimer

The A Wake Up Call podcast is created for general informational, educational, and inspirational purposes only. The stories, tools, and insights shared are designed to support your wellbeing journey — not to replace professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. In fact, we believe therapy is non-negotiable in life.

If you’re experiencing a medical or mental health condition, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Never ignore or delay seeking professional advice because of something you’ve heard on this podcast.

Your wellbeing matters. Take care of yourself, stay curious, and remember the real wake-up call is listening to what your body and mind are trying to tell you. Help is always available. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. Host