So you're sold about changing your mindset around your health and wellness journey. And now, you're wondering where to start? First off, don't overwhelm yourself. It's a lifestyle journey which means you get to take this ONE DAY AT A TIME. There is no end goal you have to get to by a certain day. So congratulations, you've given yourself permission to truly take things at a pace that feels right to you. Talk about self love and embracing the journey!
And on the topic of self love, please remember that one of the most loving things you can do for yourself is give your self grace and be patient with yourself. You are allowed to take your time. You are allowed to start with something small and work your way up. Don’t ever discredit yourself or look down on yourself because you weren’t able to change your life and do a 180 over night. It’s unrealistic and you set yourself up for disappointment, which is not the state of mind that’s going to give you a sense of freedom or happiness.
So, now that the perception of time and deadlines are out of the way, think about one small-but meaningful-step you can take to improve your well-being. It might be writing your own affirmations and taking a minute every morning to read them to yourself so that you can boost your self-esteem. Or maybe, you want to swap out whole milk for almond. Not everyone is going to start at the same place and that’s okay. Just pick something that’s going to make you a happier person and will impact your well-being in a positive way! And make sure that it’s something that matters to you and is for the betterment of your life, not someone else’s (although that will be a ripple effect).
And give yourself a shoutout anytime you are consistent with the steps you are taking to have a better life. You are your biggest cheerleader and you deserve to feel amazing. You can journal about your experience and what aspects of your life begin to shift, or can even look in the mirror and say, “Hey! I’m so proud of you for doing the things that make you happy and make you feel good.” Whatever it is, just make sure to acknowledge and appreciate your efforts. And once you feel like you’ve been able to be consistent with your first step, add in the next. So for example, say you want to start moving your body more throughout the day (or week) and you’ve been able to accomplish a daily walk. Maybe your next step is weight training. If this is so, you might buy a pair of dumbbells and replace one of your walks with an at-home workout. Or, maybe you get a membership and go to the gym once a week for weight-lifting. Whatever step you’ve taken that you feel you’ve successfully turned into a lifestyle, is a good indicator that you are ready to bring your next foot forward.
Again, the point is to start small and gradually work your way up towards what you are ultimately aiming for when it comes to your well-being. So start small, make it meaningful, and add in the next step when you feel ready.
If you need a place to brainstorm, make sure to checkout and download the free Taking Baby Steps template I have here: Baby Steps Template
You can also find this on the Resources page.
Photo by Caroline Hernandez on Unsplash