this may be a weird ask and idk if you interact with asks much but when you find yourself in a slump, how do you find the motivation to continue your worship? I get weeks on end where even something as simple as making tea feels like an impossible task to conquer and it's prevented me from building kharis for ages, and I was wondering if you had any advice for scenarios like that
I'm sure this is not a foreign concept for many worshipers. Personally, I like to call it a "burnout". When you're interested in anything, it's normal to experience highs and lows. It's normal to have times when you don't want to do anything else but worship, and then you don't have the energy.
In those times, I like to first find out what is causing those feelings. Am I focusing on myself enough? Am I only doing my hobbies for the Deities? If your whole life revolves around something, it's normal that you can grow bitter towards it at some point. So it's important to find that balance.
Sometimes other stressors are putting too much weight on you. It's hard to focus on your spiritual practice when your education or work life is struggling.
The first step is to recognise what is going on. Then think about why you are worshipping.
Why did you start? How did you start? What kind of things were you doing for your Deities?
Starting a practice is always simple. A simple offering here and there. Noticing their symbol in a thrift shop. Looking for a perfect crystal for them. Drinking tea and dedicating it to them. Watching a documentary.
Make dedicated time to think about it. Or journal; I will always praise journaling. And when I write "dedicated time", I MEAN IT. No phones around, nothing in the background, no music, nothing. Open the windows, maybe go outside. Make yourself a good beverage. Wear something comfortable. Tell people around you not to bother you now.
Sit down and write everything that comes to mind. Even if that means writing a whole page with "I just really liked wolves, so I worship Artemis". Write every reason. Write every experience you had with them. Write everything that makes you think of them.
And then close the journal. Look around. Take a sip of your drink. What do you want to do now?
The coffee made you want a sweet treat? Go buy it. Or bake it and make it for yourself, and only if you feel like that, you can dedicate it to your Deity. You want to just lie in the sun? Do that! Relax, breathe, be present.
To not experience spiritual burnout, you need to make time to take breaks. INTENTIONAL BREAKS. You're doing so much for the Gods; are you doing enough for yourself?
Take breaks, look at your practice with a fresh eye. Get back to the basics that got you into practice. Be simple, be boring, be weird.
