Hey, Beautiful Soul!
We have all been there. Saying yes, I commit to this change in (the way we eat, write, move our bodies, interact etc… ) only to get past the first maybe few weeks of that and feel like it’s just too overwhelming. I see it over and over with clients, with family and with myself. We expect the fact that we declared it (and often unintentionally sort of half-heartedly not knowing what it would really hold) to then feel overwhelmed, defeated and over it. What we often don’t realize is that we have not really set ourselves up for success, we haven’t really put in the support system(s) we need to make said changes longer lasting and less overwhelming. This isn’t to say that sort of relearning, undoing what is often for many of us years of being, doing, eating a certain way will be filled with total ease… but we can support ourselves by putting some things into place that will support us in those shifts.
- Remember your why. Why do you want to make this change? To feel better, be healthier, to have more peaceful interactions, to…. (the list could be endless there are so many types of changes/shifts that we journey towards. Once you remember your why, put a reminder someplace. It can be totally cryptic to others if you want it to be. An image, word, phrase, shape whatever!
- Learn from what has been difficult. So now you know what doesn’t work, what’s been a struggle. Sometimes it’s easier to find a solution by looking at what doesn’t or hasn’t worked then trying to anticipate potential issues. So you might write down here what hasn’t worked… the opposite or solution would be…
- Allow space to feel what you feel. Just don’t get stuck there. Nothing wrong with feeling frustrated, sad, angry. However allowing ourselves to get stuck there in the process towards these changes only serves our fear and defeat. (this one is the hardest for me, I am a fixer so I want to get it figured out and move on!)
- Set yourself up for success. For example, if I wanted to eat healthier adding in or cutting out certain things (because of a health diagnosis or just to feel better, more energetic etc.) surrounding myself with those very things I vow to avoid is not really helping myself any, it’s setting myself up for failure. I get that we can’t be surrounded by only those things that will not tempt us all the time. But those areas you do have control over such things is what I am suggesting you focus on! This same concept applies to many other areas
- Put good support systems and people in place. While this is your journey, nobody said you had to go that alone or without some really supportive tools and people! Is there a vent buddy, accountability buddy you can find? What about a coach or professional (in the field of your change you are wanting to make), what about a book, magazines or articles with helpful, supportive info. Another great tool is to use your phone with reminders through your day. Remind you of your why, to get up and move, to check your total…. for the day. Entering in appointments for rest, self-care, goal tasks, connection whatever in your calendar (digital or paper) is also a great way to support yourself through change. You can go low tech too with post it’s! Put up reminders on your computer, mirror, near where you sit, on something you pick up throughout the day.
Here is to living Inspired, Creative and Empowered
Heather
