5 Small Habits to Get Your Motivation Back Before Fall

Summer has a way of throwing us off rhythm. Between vacations, late nights, extra social events, and the heat, it’s easy to lose momentum with our health routines. But here’s the good news—you don’t need a massive overhaul to get back on track before fall. Just a few small, intentional habits can spark your motivation and help you feel strong, energized, and ready to finish the year well.

And let’s be honest—motivation is great… when it’s there. But the truth is, it’s not always going to show up for you. Waiting until you “feel like it” is one of the quickest ways to stay stuck right where you are. Motivation is like a spark. It can get you started, but it’s not the fuel that keeps you going. That fuel is discipline. Doing the thing, even when you don’t want to, especially when you don’t feel motivated at all.

Motivation doesn’t come from waiting until you “feel like it.” It grows from action—small, consistent steps done day after day. As Galatians 6:9 reminds us, “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Because here’s the thing: change is made through consistent action, not bursts of inspiration. Motivation without action? It’s meaningless. Discipline without motivation? That’s what builds resilience, habits, and a new lifestyle that actually lasts. So instead of trying to “get motivated” before fall, focus on a few small, consistent habits that create momentum and keep you moving forward, no matter how you feel.

Here are 5 to start with this week:

1. Start Your Day with Movement

It doesn’t need to be a full workout—just move. Five minutes of stretching, a quick walk around the block, or a few bodyweight exercises. This isn’t about burning calories; it’s about waking up your body, getting your blood flowing, and reminding yourself that you can do hard things from the moment your feet hit the floor. That early win sets the tone for the rest of your day.

2. Drink a Glass of Water Before Coffee

It’s easy to reach straight for the coffee pot, but your body wakes up dehydrated. That dehydration can leave you feeling groggy, unfocused, and hungrier than you really are. Water first thing helps rehydrate your system, supports digestion, and energizes your brain. It’s a small shift that compounds over time—and the discipline of doing it daily sets the tone for other healthy choices.

3. Prep One Veggie & One Starch Each Week

You don’t need to overhaul your whole meal prep routine—just choose one vegetable and one starchy carb to cook in bulk each week. For example, roasted potatoes and green beans. Potatoes are rich in potassium, vitamin C, and fiber, while green beans are loaded with vitamins A, C, and K, plus antioxidants to support your immune system. When these are already cooked, throwing together a balanced, nourishing meal becomes quick and stress-free—even on your busiest days.

4. Create a 5-Minute Evening Reset

The way you end your day shapes how you start the next. Spend just five minutes tidying your kitchen, jotting down your top three priorities for tomorrow, or simply unplugging from screens. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating a sense of closure so you can rest well and wake up focused. Discipline in your evenings builds clarity for your mornings.

5. Write Down 3 Wins Every Day

Your brain naturally fixates on what’s not going well—so you have to train it to see the good. Every night, write down three things you did well that day. They can be as small as choosing water over soda, going for a short walk, or reading a Bible verse that encouraged you. This practice shifts your mindset from self-criticism to self-trust, which is a powerful motivator in itself.

Final Word…

Motivation is fleeting, but discipline creates freedom. When you choose to show up for yourself in small, simple ways—even when you don’t feel like it—you’re building resilience that will carry you through the dips, the busy seasons, and the days you feel like quitting.