Here is why you are NOT a failure when you slip up on your resolution(s)… (And why it’s helpful to keep making them.)

It’s January 8th, 2020. By now I’m sure that most people have had some kind of slip on the resolution that they were determined to keep. I have! I said I was going to haul at least one item per day out of my house to de-clutter and that I was going to get on the treadmill every day. Ya. I haven’t. BUT I haven’t failed either.

Suddenly changing out behaviours and mannerisms just doesn’t happen overnight and our autopilot kicks in. That’s that slip that we beat ourselves up about. I think this shit needs to stop! Instead of running with the mindset of “I’ve already screwed it up, why bother?”, KEEP GOING! It’s going to take deliberate intent to build the new habits that we want to engage in. Have I been on the treadmill daily? No, but I LOVE to binge Downton Abbey (yes, I am SO that girl!) so I have decided that I can only watch while on my treadmill. So there’s my motivation. (I’ll probably be hopping on when I’m done here because I’m jonesing to watch it now.)

I have stuck with my Whole 30 eating habits because once I’m over the junk withdrawals (like today) I actually feel a lot better. Easy? No. Worth it? I mean, I think so! So even though my resolutions haven’t been kept to the word, I am still actively working towards adjusting my “autopilot”. Had I just thrown my hands up and allowed my old autopilot to guide me, I’d probably be feeling like a bag of shit right now instead of feeling mentally clear, motivated and enjoying so much less bloat! Which is a MEGA bonus for this Endo-mama. So even thought I didn’t stick to my health goals to a “T”, as I intended, I’m totally still making progress.

It’s probably because I feel so much better that I had the energy to actually haul out a larger amount of clutter from my home today. While it wasn’t one item per day, I definitely made up for it! I’m calling it a win and, by default, considering myself ahead of my resolution goal. Instead of just blowing it off, I just adjusted it to fit my reality. This doesn’t mean manipulating you goals out of your line of sight entirely to justify old habits; you still have regroup, refocus and kick ass but it doesn’t have to be set in stone either. Life happens! It’s so much less stressful when you adjust it to work instead of getting frustrated and fight back.

While resolutions are kinda cliche, cliches are cliches because they’re true. So, instead of blowing them off thinking that you’ll never keep them anyway, set them! Set a main goal and then adjust it in mini ways to make it work for you (so that you can make it work)!

My all time fave meditation app is Headspace. (No affiliation) I have been using it for about 2 years now and it has changed my entire life. Here is their take on how to keep resolutions.

Small, incremental changes: how to keep your New Year’s resolution

If you’re struggling with your goals, motivation and follow through, coaching might be super helpful. Shoot me a message and we can work on your plan to crush those resolutions!