PCT Day 105: Restart As Much As You Need To
First off, it’s Motivation Monday! A day dedicated to sharing about what’s keeping me going and any habit shifts I might have on trail.
"I think and think and think, I've thought myself out of happiness one million times, but never once into it." - Jonathan Safran Foer
This quote has been on my mind a lot lately. Because how true is it, that we think our way into misery so often, and never out of it. It’s also a reminder that overthinking doesn’t add to joy, rather it chips away at it. I want to make that change in myself.
I’ve caught myself replaying situations in my head, wondering where I went wrong. Thinking that would step me into peace. But peace doesn’t come from mental loops; it comes from presence, from doing, and from letting go.
So I’ve been shifting my focus toward what actually keeps me going:
My love for personal development and impressing myself despite my own high standards.
My love for food and nourishing my body in ways that fuel my body and soul.
The comfort waiting for me back home and being grateful for things I used to take for granted because I get to have a second chance.
I’ve been making small, changes in my routine. Waking up earlier, stretching, caring for my feet after long days on trail, and letting myself cry when emotions need to be released.
I’m also reframing how I think about old wounds. And fresh ones. I was thinking about how I don’t hate the people who hurt me… because it’s more complex than that. I was betrayed by someone I loved, and my mind tries to protect me by not associating them with love anymore. But I still love. That never goes away. Understanding that is part of moving forward without getting lost in thought I guess.
Even when my mind spins, the world does too. The sun still rises, and there is always room for something new.
I’ve learned that clarity is like water—you don’t see your reflection until it’s still. And sometimes finding calmness in the chaos is difficult and requires a lot of patience. I’ve learned that sometimes being the bigger person means quietly sacrificing your own comfort for someone else’s happiness. These realizations haven’t come from endless thinking. They came from experiencing and trusting my path. And trusting that clarity will eventually come even when my soul is as turned as a tsunami.
Right now, my motivation is simple:
To find a life that meets my standards.
To make progress, no matter how small.
To keep going—without thinking myself out of happiness.
So that’s all for my Monday entry. I wish you love and happiness. Don’t overthink your way into misery. Much love.
-Belle
