New Year, New Me…

Every new year starts the same way, doesn’t it? We get this big burst of motivation and decide we’re going to change everything about our lives. Eat better, move more, get 8 hrs of sleep, drink 2 litres of water, meditate, journal, maybe learn a language while we’re mopping the kitchen floor! I'm exhausted just writing that!

And then… two or three weeks later, it’s all fallen flat on its arse. Sound familiar?

It’s not that we’re lazy or unmotivated, we just try to do way too much at once.

So how do you make changes that actually stick?

Sustainable change comes from small, consistent actions. Instead of rewriting your entire life in one go, choose one thing to focus on first.

Maybe it’s adding a little bit more movement into your week. That could look like:

• Taking an extra 1,000–2,000 steps a day

• Trying a yoga or strength class

• Following an online workout you can squeeze in when it suits you

  
  

Stick with that one thing for 4–6 weeks. Let it become part of your routine & automatic without you having to force it.

Once it’s a habit, then you can add something else. Maybe you start making your work lunches the night before so you’re not relying on the canteen or the sandwich shop. A homemade, balanced meal can keep you fuller for longer, avoiding the mid afternoon slump. You could try making lunch in batches, stock piled in the fridge to see you through the week.

Or maybe you swap a few sugary drinks for lemon water or a low-calorie version. Nothing drastic, just gentle tweaks. Again once you've created a habit for a few weeks, (you see where this is going) add in something else you would like to change.

You haven’t failed, you just tried to do everything at once!

When we pile on too many changes, it’s overwhelming and we quit, feeling like we're not cut out for it. Trying to change everything at once, and when it becomes unsustainable, your old habits slip back in. That doesn’t mean we’re incapable, it's because the approach wasn’t sustainable.

If you really want habits that last a lifetime, give yourself time and aim for consistency not perfection.

Create a foundation on which to build. Creating a solid base before you stack anything on top!

Small steps, consistent effort = changes that last.