Wow, Rachel...in my experience right now, that is the $64,000 question! I have long struggled with how to activate my will beyond the minimum exertion needed for survival. In terms of the "fight, flight, or freeze" continuum, my lifetime habit has been deep freeze. The (not so) proverbial rabbit in the headlights.

I call it "volitional paralysis." It's also known as "learned helplessness" in some circles.

I'm going to think on your post some more...