Ugh! Sticking to new routines is hard! Well, let’s back up. Committing to making changes is really hard. If you cross that first hurdle, then the ‘sticking to’ part gets tough. But when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Right?
I personally am not a huge fan of that saying. You can be really tough. Just look at moms! But being tough doesn’t mean that finding the right routines for you and sticking to them will suddenly become easy.
Have you ever signed up for a program for something you want to do or be better at? For example, Learn the Art of Meditation Once and For All? And did you do the 8 week online course (that was supposed to be super easy to incorporate) so you could finally be zen in your daily life and stress would just melt away? I’m guessing the answer could be no. And I’m only guessing that is the answer, because the example here certainly couldn’t be something I’ve done. 😉
It happens. We see a program that speaks to our pain point, and we sign up hoping it will help. But the problem isn’t signing up for programs. It’s actually doing the program. When it’s delivered to your inbox it is super easy to file it in a ‘to do’ folder, leave it in your inbox so long that it finally gets lost in the feed or eventually delete it because you realize you are never going to get around to it. Your (insert pain point) program is just not going to be used.
Change is hard. Creating healthy routines is hard. Know why? Because most times, we are trying out a ‘proven program’, not a customized approach that is tailored to your own bio-individuality.
The lack of follow through is not because you aren’t capable, don’t have the willpower or pick the wrong change to make, it’s just simply hard. It’s something that millions of people around the world struggle with. You are not alone. I am not alone.
I was noodling on this struggle, and decided to provide you some tools to try to make lasting change a more focused effort so you can finally live your life on your terms. We all like doing things our way, right? So why not achieve the health you want your way?!
Tool #1: Create a Vision Board
Vision Boards are awesome! It is a visual mapping tool that allows you to see your motivation everyday through a collection of images and words that embodies the essence of your goals, dreams and how you want to live. Putting one together is a fun, creative and simple way to allow your subconscious to work towards turning what you want for your life into a reality.
Materials:
- Large poster board, corkboard, foam board, or a bit of wall space
- Scissors
- Glue, tape, push pins
- Magazines, printed images/words from the Internet, or photographs from your own life
Prepare:
- Gather your materials.
- Prepare your work area.
- Take a few breaths to settle into a space of intuitive awareness. This will allow you to be clearer on your desires and what truly inspires you.
- Set aside ample time for the creative process.
Create your vision board:
- Flip through your magazines, printed images and photos and collect what stirs you. Don’t think too hard about this. Focus on how the images make you feel. Pick ones that make you feel good about yourself and inspired.
- Include a photograph of yourself or your name somewhere on the board to “own” it.
- Go through what you collected and cut them down to size. You might not use all the images. Just take what you’re drawn to instinctively.
- Arrange them on your board. Step back and make sure the board speaks to you. Rearrange the images until the board feels right.
- Now, glue, tape or pin your images to the board.
- Put your board where you see it often.
Spend a little time each day looking at it to connect with the feeling of what it’s like to live your dream life and let it inspire you into action.
Tool #2: Journal
Journaling can become a written form of meditation. When we take a few minutes a day to write things down, it’s amazing what insight our subconscious can provide us. It can help you release pent up emotions, get clear on priorities, provide a space of gratitude and appreciation, allow you to affirm yourself, and connect with your spiritual being and inner wisdom. Some people will journal at night, in the early morning minutes before rising from bed, or during the day. Find the time that is right for you. Let it be freeform. Your 9th grade English teacher is not going to read this. Punctuation and grammar do not matter. Just get words out on paper, and see where your subconscious takes you. Allow it to let you declutter your mind, so you can live with intentionality. HERE is a beautiful one I recently gave a friend.
Tool #3: Online apps
There’s an app for everything these days it seems. Except for maybe having a nose like Elizabeth Montgomery in Bewitched. Having a nose like that is my pipe dream! I don’t do well with apps (they just aren’t my thing), but I know people who do. If technology is your thing, and sticking to a routine or making a change in your life would go better by using one of their tracking tools or a simple reminder on your phone, go for it! Just be mindful of how much time you spend on a device. They have their place and benefits, but too much time on them can negatively affect stress levels, focus and your ability to live in the moment and connect with the people around you.
If you feel like having more support and accountability in creating healthy routines is what you need, contact me! I have 3 spots remaining right now for 1:1 coaching. Grab your spot today and start Living Healthy Beyond Vegetables.
