Baby Steps

Baby steps will take you to the top of Mount Everest as long as you keep taking them. - Mary Morissey

​Imagine this (or maybe you don’t need to imagine because you’ve been living it): You’re tired, frustrated, and stuck, so you finally decide to make a change and now you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Inspired, you commit to eating better, exercising daily, overhauling your sleep routine, drinking more water, and, well, changing everything at once. You dive in headfirst, energized by the possibilities.

But then, reality sets in. The excitement starts to wane. The changes feel overwhelming. You miss a day, then another, and before long, you’re back to square one. Sound familiar? I’ve been there, and let me tell you—it’s not your fault. The problem isn’t you; it’s the approach.

When I first started my own journey to better health, I fell into the same trap: all-or-nothing thinking.

I’d decide to get back to working out, so I’d go hard at the gym for my first workout back. Then, I’d be so sore for days that I couldn’t move, and when my body finally recovered and was ready for another workout, my mind was over it.

Or I’d start a really strict diet and last for maybe a month (usually way less) and then give up and binge all the foods I’d deprived myself of while on the diet.

I’d try to overhaul my entire lifestyle, only to end up frustrated and burned out.

It wasn’t until I embraced a different mindset that things started to shift. The key? Starting small. By breaking big goals into tiny, manageable steps, I found a way to make progress without feeling overwhelmed.

This approach leverages neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and form new connections. When we try to do too much at once, our brains literally don’t have the capacity to focus on all the new things we’re trying to do. When we focus on small, consistent actions, our brains gradually rewire to support new habits.

Here’s what I learned: Lasting change isn’t about doing everything perfectly from day one. It’s about doing something—anything—and sticking with it.

At the start of 2024, I set a goal to improve my nutrition. My goal was to plan and prep two meals per week. Pretty simple, but not necessarily easy. This is what I had to take into account:

1. Planning 📒 I started by creating a list of recipes I already knew and researching new ones to try. This was ongoing throughout the year as the seasons changed and I slowly learned more about what I like and don’t like to cook and eat. Then, I had to make time to choose two recipes each week and schedule out time for shopping, cooking, and cleanup.
2. Grocery Shopping 🛒 Once I had my recipes for the week, I’d check my fridge and pantry and make a grocery list. I’ve always preferred going to the grocery store over ordering groceries online (I'm picky about my produce 🤷🏼‍♀️), so I had to make time for grocery shopping.
3. Preparation and Cooking 🍳 With groceries on hand, I’d have to clean the kitchen, prep ingredients, and cook the meals. I needed to make sure I had the right equipment and skills for making the meals I’d chosen.
4. Storage and Cleanup 🧽 Finally, I needed to store the food and clean up the kitchen. This includes, at the beginning, acquiring storage containers for the food.
   
   

It’s A LOT! But when I broke down the steps and saw all the small pieces, it was more manageable. One day, I’d choose recipes. The next, I’d make a grocery list. Slowly but surely, I built momentum and knowledge and it became so much easier. 

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, says, “The process of building habits is the process of becoming yourself.” Each habit you adopt is like a suggestion for your identity. Do you like the person you’re becoming? Meaningful change doesn’t require radical shifts. Instead, small habits provide evidence of your new identity. Bit by bit, these micro-evolutions compound into significant transformation.

One of the most liberating lessons I’ve learned through this process is that there’s no finish line in the journey to better health. The goal isn’t to achieve perfection overnight; it’s to make steady, meaningful progress over time. There’s no final destination except for the end of life, so why rush?

By focusing on long-term progress rather than short-term wins, you free yourself from the pressure to "fix" everything right now. Instead, you can enjoy the journey and celebrate small victories along the way. Remember, choosing health often means letting go of habits or activities that no longer serve you. It’s not about deprivation—it’s about making room for joy, energy, and fulfillment.

If you’re ready to make a change, here’s your homework: Choose ONE habit to focus on. Let everything else go for now. Break the habit into the tiniest steps possible. Put it on your calendar and set reminders. Celebrate each small win. These victories will reinforce your progress and keep you motivated.

I’ve been in your shoes—overwhelmed, tired, and confused about how I’m supposed to be able to do it all. The key is to not do it all (at once).

For me, it's taken years to transform my lifestyle, and I know this journey will continue for the rest of my life. But it's been so worth it. Each small step has made my life more easeful, more joyful, and more fulfilling. You have the rest of your life to figure this out. Start with one thing, break it down, and get into action. Build from there.

Transformation begins with a single step. Whether it’s drinking more water, meditating one minute, or walking five minutes a day, every action matters. Over time, these small steps compound into a healthier, happier, more vibrant life. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection or speed. It’s progress. Take ownership of your health, embrace the journey, and celebrate each victory along the way. You’ve got this!

My invitation to you

Annnd all of this is easier said than done. It can be hugely beneficial to sit down with a coach to set aligned goals and plan out all the action steps you can take to build systems for easeful living into your life. If you're interested in exploring how we can work together to support you on your journey to a well life and living easefully, let's hop on a free 20-minute clarity call. On this call, we'll discuss your goals, your challenges, and whether or now Well-Life Coaching is the right support for you.