How many times have you got yourself all worked up and ready and eager to embark on a ‘new you’ routine? Only to fall at the first hurdle, or maybe the second or third, and given up?
We’ve all done it!
This is just to remind you that even just one small change, one little thing every day, or maybe even every week, is worth it.
Of course in an ideal world we’d all be able to create a whole new routine and take care of ourselves as we know we’re supposed to, and stick to it all, from day one. Wouldn’t that be amazing? It’s rarely that simple, is it?
Whilst we’re often willing, enthusiastic and motivated, other things sneak in, life happens, and best intentions can go by the wayside.
But, maybe we should just think smaller?
Maybe the problem here is that we’re being a little over exuberant? Yes, we’re keen, but that might just be our downfall.
Go big if you can do it, but if that hasn’t worked for you before and you want to try something else, just go little.
Add in little things, here and there, when you can. Then once that habit sticks, add in a little something else. And then again and so on. And if one or two of those habits slide, you can always build them back in again slowly, little by little. You’re still further forward than you were when you started.
Be sure to remind yourself one little thing is better than nothing at all.
So you didn’t manage to get out for a 5 mile walk today, but you did manage 1 mile. 1 mile is better than sitting still, isn’t it? So you wanted to ensure you went to bed earlier each evening, but last night that book had you reading until 2am? You had an early night the night before and you can have one tonight.
Remind yourself that every single day you can start again. As they say, tomorrow is a new day.
It doesn’t have to be a Monday, or a new month, or a new year to begin again, those little things can happen at any time. Because they’re only little.
Take care not to be so hard on yourself when things do slide, every one does this. The trick is in controlling that slide. One piece of cake does not undo everything if you’re clean eating, it’s fine. The problem comes when eating that one piece of cake makes you tell yourself you’ve completely messed up, what’s the point, and you go on to eat all the rubbish for the next month!
Then when these little things start to happen and start to add up, pay attention to how you feel. Are you enjoying the fresh air? Are you enjoying unwinding with a book? Are you feeling more energetic with the food you’re eating? Hold on to the little wins and remember how good they feel.
Over time, you’ll notice your attitude shift so that it’s all less of an effort. There are good little habits that you do to take care of yourself that you no longer even think about, they’re just ingrained now. And they are all just little things, little steps in whatever direction you’ve decided you want to go in.
If you do decide you want to make a change, perhaps think about the end goal, what you want and how you hope to feel. Then go for it when you’re feeling enthused, or just fall back on little things whenever you need to. It’s all making a difference, right?
Even just a little is always going to be worth it.
Really good advice, I’ve tried to follow a similar thinking this year and it’s made such a difference ti my mental health. We can be far too hard on ourselves so it’s helpful to be reminded that progress even if it’s small is still progress.
Thank you. Absolutely that, every bit of progress is a step in the right direction, isn’t it? Glad it’s worked for you this year.
Love this. I read somewhere we should celebrate each win…no matter how big or small it is.
Absolutely right, I completely agree with this. It’s about finding those wins, even on difficult days, that keeps you smiling.