It's 10 days in to the New Year. Did you "mess up" on your health goals? The beginning of the year brings awareness about health improvements, and January 1st is often a start date for a lot of people who are looking to embark on change.
I understand that for some people, the start of a New Year and the pursuit of change feels arbitrary, or forced upon them. I get that. I think that if starting a health goal at the beginning of the year feels inauthentic to you--I honor that! I'm certainly one that respects the individual, if your needs differ because of past experience that informs you that this is not the right time for you to start--that is cool. I honor that.
If you're someone who feels positively impacted by the general collective consciousness around pursuing a health goal at the start of the year, that is cool, too! Knowing that you're influenced by those around you for the better, can be a really useful tool as you pursue your health goal.
In this post, I'm speaking to those who feel invigorated and excited about pursing a health goal at the start of the year.
Put yourself in spaces that carry through those feelings of empowerment, positivity, and goal-getting. It can be traditional spaces like a gym you feel at home in, or a dance studio, or hiking trail that helps you literally move towards your goals. Or it can be less traditional: a habit or a self-care routine that reinforces the concept of putting yourself at the top of your priority list. Use this time and space to gather data about yourself and your experiences.
Often, when my clients start out at the beginning of the year, they are following a specific plan that they feel aligns mostly with how they want to pursue their goal. I think that's great--pick any program, truly, it will always give you feedback and information about what suits you as you pursue your goal.
It's key to recognize that any program or plan is a starting point, and no plan is wrong or bad if you're paying attention. You really can't mess this up. Pick a plan, stick to it, and MOST IMPORTANTLY pay attention. How are your moods? How is your sleep? Is this a sustainable way to move? To eat? If you're finding as you go that your program is doable, but not aligned with your preferences, it's certainly something to take note of, because there is an expiration date on being able to "white knuckle it".
If you aren't learning something about yourself in the process, you're missing a valuable opportunity to create a lifestyle strategy you love. That isn't your fault! Programs are designed to seem easy and approachable. No one wants to embark on something that is inherently complex. If you find that task and proposition overwhelming, you may benefit from a professional like me who can disrupt those thoughts and help you consider what information is most valuable to you, so you can quiet the noise.
We all embark on change with good intentions, and intentions that we are setting ourselves up on a path that IS sustainable, and good for us. Don't feel bad if you engage in a program only to find that it wasn't sustainable, or it didn't suit you--despite doing your research and expending mental energy to pick a program that aligns with you. You don't know until you try.
Maybe this excerpt from the book, "You Are Here *for now" by Adam J. Kurtz will resonate with you:
"You may find yourself forced to adapt to the new reality, despite being changed in a foundational way. The impulse is to 'go back to normal', but this endless adapting IS normal."
We all want a perfect structure to follow. A fool-proof plan. I am here to argue that you are more dynamic than that. Life is ever-shifting, and my clients who experience the most contentedness and consistency in their lifestyle changes are those who recognize that their habits and practices remain similar, but not the same.
The "new normal" is that life is chaotic and we all live with the reality that our time and our days are very rarely our own. I honor that my clients are whole people, doing the best they can in any given moment. They truly are the expert on their lifestyle and what is achievable, and it's my expertise to create strategies that use the resources that are available to them, and honor their individual needs. Together we create strategies and talk through solutions to the obstacles they're encountering.
As I mentioned at the top of the post, we are 10 days into the New Year. Take a moment to reflect on your efforts so far. It's a great time to reflect and consider your experience up to this point. If you're dissatisfied with your efforts, do your best to unpack "why". 10 days in is a check-in, not a concession.
If you feel you could use some collaborative guidance on your health journey, please feel free to contact me. I would love to be your collaborative partner to help you achieve the changes and goals you're chasing!
Love this!!! Such motivational thoughts full of grace and space!