Rooted in Culture, Moved to Act

Motivation is often portrayed as something entirely up to the individual, made up of their own discipline, routine, and personal drive. As integral as these are, there is an equally important factor that is often overlooked: connection.

Connection brings with it many benefits that support our well-being: a sense of belonging, identity, and community. Feeling connected to a group of people and experiences larger than ourselves can create a strong sense of purpose and direction. Goals become clearer, obstacles feel more manageable, and motivation naturally follows.

Belonging as a Foundation for Growth

A sense of belonging matters before motivation can happen for several reasons.

Developing a sense of belonging is an important foundational step for personal growth. Firstly, it provides you with a sense of who you are. It shapes all your major decisions, your morals, and even your perception of the world. All of these things create a stronger foundation for motivation because they give us a clearer understanding of who we are and where we want to go. Without that sense of belonging, decision-making can become overwhelming because of a lack of a clear sense of direction.

Secondly, belonging provides structure. When you’re feeling lost, aimless, or disillusioned, a sense of belonging can help ground you and bring you back on track. When we belong to a community—which can mean anything from cultural roots to shared interests and lifestyles—we gain more than a sense of identity. Community gives us role models, values to reflect on, and support systems to rely on. In turn, we become more confident in who we are and more certain in the decisions we make. That sense of grounding makes taking the next step feel easier and allows motivation to become more sustainable over time.

It should come as no surprise that authentic portrayals of culture are an incredible confidence booster. Seeing your family traditions, fashion, and lifestyle in the mass media can be affirming for many reasons. I’m not ashamed to admit that one of the biggest motivators for me is my Mexican-American identity. I love seeing other Chicana artists like Becky G and brands like Bella Doña being loud and proud of their culture and the community behind it because it lets people like me know that others from our community are breaking new ground. If they can do it, why can’t I?

Authentic portrayals of culture frame the impossible in a new light. Dreams and goals are no longer this intimidating, distant impossibility; instead, it becomes something entirely achievable. Without these authentic portrayals, goals can feel harder to define because there are fewer visible examples to imagine ourselves within. Our minds become filled with doubt, and doubt is debilitating. Motivation becomes nonexistent, and it becomes harder to take on the next step in our journey.

These factors all point toward one central idea: connection. It’s easy to look at major stars like athletes, actors, or singers and assume they simply worked harder. However, more often than not, there are communities behind those accomplishments. There are families offering support, friends with encouraging words, and cultural traditions preserving values. Connection gives us examples to learn from and people to lean on. It turns motivation into something reinforced through everyday experiences and relationships.

But the question is, how can I become connected? 

Finding Connection to Your Culture

Becoming connected to your culture, whatever that looks like for you, is easier said than done. Sometimes it’s just ingrained in you through family traditions, shared languages, or music, but what if you don’t feel like you have a rich family culture? Not every family participates in traditions, and that’s a completely acceptable path in and of itself. However, if you’re feeling an itch to participate, it is definitely something worth considering. As you become more comfortable and connected to your cultural traditions, you may even inspire family and friends to reconnect in those traditions as well.

One method to consider is attending events. These events can be almost anything, such as festivals, art shows and food fests. I recently attended a 702 Marketplace x Bad Bunny event near Fremont Street this past month, and the joy inside was something unfamiliar, yet deeply comforting. Inside, there was a Bad Bunny look-alike contest, vendors selling handcrafted Jarrito mugs, and music ranging from reggaeton to salsa and bachata. The place felt alive with movement and the beats from our footsteps. As I was leaving, I couldn’t help but watch everyone dance to Bad Bunny’s “BAILE INoLVIDABLE.” It had completely blown my mind to see a group of people all dance in unison, on beat, and with joy radiating off of them, all connected by a single song. Although I’m not Puerto Rican, the rhythm and the dance were so incredibly reminiscent of my own culture that I couldn’t help but feel connected to everyone as they moved, and I knew instantly what it meant to me: community.

Another way to connect is through media, in all forms. Whether it be books, podcasts, music, or art, connect with all forms of media close to your own culture. Literature and music are what I most connect with. I’ve grown up on classics like Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street and songs by artists like Paula DeAnda. This goes back to my point about authentic cultural portrayal and the confidence that comes with it, but it also hits on another important point: How affirming it is to actually take in cultural meaning behind subtle nuances. As a Mexican-American, I could explore why Frida Kahlo's art is so influential. I can examine some common themes that I might resonate with. I can even ask how I am tied to people in my community through their art. Overall, connecting with art is a deeply human experience. I would go as far to argue that reading literature, listening to music, and admiring art all teach us how to be human. Connecting to art close to your culture completely amplifies your sense of identity, and acts as a strong starting point.

A third way is to stay up to date with news outlets that specialize in your culture. My personal favorite example is Des Los, an LA Times editorial vertical focused on Latin identity. With every article I read, I learn something new about the influence of a late Latin artist, politics shaping our communities, and local Los Angeles events and locations. Staying up to date with outlets such as Des Los truly helps me feel connected to my community because it offers a well-rounded scope of everyday life. It portrays culture as more than just static. It serves as a reminder that culture is more than traditions or special occasions; it’s living, changing, and happening every day. Through articles discussing music, politics, and identity, I’m reminded that culture is built continuously through the people participating in it.

When Connection Becomes Motivation

But, what changes?

Once you’ve established a connection, you’ll notice a confidence boost. Your community is amazing, and you should feel proud of it! You’ll feel more purposeful, because you know where you’re going and how you’re doing it. And in the end, with a new rallying crew behind you, you begin to move. You’ll begin to see it in your decisions, in your long-term goals, but also your daily goals, and slowly but surely, you’ve made it farther with connection than without.

Connection also creates a sense of accountability that feels encouraging rather than debilitating. Your goals begin to feel meaningful beyond yourself. You want to show up, and not because you have to, but because you know there are people cheering for you and celebrating your progress. That sense of shared investment can make difficult moments feel more manageable and success feel more rewarding.

When asking someone about their biggest source of motivation, you’ll most likely hear about their loved ones. Their friends and family are constantly pushing them forward toward their goals and uplifting them in every way they can. How can you not move after that? Granted, life throws a lot of things our way, and sometimes community alone can’t pull us out of a rut, but it’s far easier with than without. One of the beautiful things about community is that it can act as a stabilizer in an increasingly fast-moving world. As a first generation student attending university, which is already notoriously chaotic without having to add the stress of figuring everything out on your own, I can safely say that I would not have made it as far as I have without the constant support of those around me. Yes, most of the hard work is your own personal drive and ambition, and you should never forget to give yourself credit where credit is due, but there’s no mistaking the impact that your community has on your success.

It’s important to remember that motivation is far more than the individual. Motivation, in a big part, has to do with those around you, and in all forms. Family, friends and partners are there to share the burden of life, in all its ups and downs. Every win, every loss, deserves to be shared with a community that relishes in your successes as much as you do.

About the Author

Jocelyne is a senior at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, majoring in English with a concentration in Creative Writing and a minor in Criminal Justice. Her interests include reading, writing, and exploring storytelling with a focus on cultural identity.