What if the reason you’re stuck isn’t because you’re lazy, broken, or unmotivated — but because you’re trying to force a puzzle together without the corner pieces?
That’s what I realized after years of burnout, reinvention, and trying to out-hustle my own self-doubt.
Welcome to Movitate. This space is for anyone who’s tired of motivational fluff, burned out on productivity hacks, and ready to rebuild something real — from the inside out.
The Problem With Motivation Culture
The world is full of people yelling, “You can do it!”
But very few are asking, “What are you trying to do — and why?”
Motivation by itself isn’t enough. If it were, everyone who watched a TED Talk or read a self-help book would be thriving.
But too often, we try to move forward without building the emotional, mental, or practical structure we need. That’s like trying to hang drywall on a house with no frame. Or like trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle without the corner and edge pieces.
And the worst part? When that doesn’t work, we blame ourselves.
Not the system. Not the culture. Not the missing foundation. Ourselves.
The Turning Point
For me, the shift came when I realized I’d been chasing meaning the wrong way — defining success by external standards, ignoring my mental health, and mistaking constant motion for real progress.
Eventually, I stopped trying to just “think positive” and started getting curious.
- What if motivation isn’t a spark — but a side effect?
- What if action is easier when you understand your emotions and your wiring?
- What if we stopped looking for magic and started building structure?
The Puzzle Principle
That’s where the puzzle metaphor came in.
Life isn’t a game you win. It’s a puzzle you build — and some pieces have to be in place first.
What this blog is about:
- Understanding the brain’s role in change
- Learning emotional regulation and resilience
- Challenging myths that hold us back
- Reframing failure as feedback
- Building self-worth before chasing “success”
Why “Movitate”?
I invented the word Movitate to describe what I really needed — and what I think a lot of us need:
- Movement that’s aligned with who we are
- Motivation that comes from clarity, not hype
- Mindfulness that keeps us grounded
- Meaning that makes the effort worthwhile
This isn’t about becoming someone else.
It’s about becoming the version of yourself who’s not stuck, scared, or scattered.
It’s about putting the pieces in place so you can finally move forward.
What to Expect Here
This blog isn’t here to shout at you from a mountain top.
It’s a place to figure things out — together.
I’ll be sharing:
- Insights from neuroscience and psychology
- Personal stories of transformation (and missteps)
- Tools and strategies you can actually use
- Honest reflections about navigating change
If that sounds like something you’ve been needing, you’re not alone.
And you’re in the right place.
Let’s put the pieces in place — and then move forward.
—
Matthew Baxter
Founder of Movitate | Speaker | Storyteller | Mental Health Advocate