The Power of Small Changes: Creating New Habits for a Better You

I am trying to enter into my wellness era. I have spent so long neglecting my health and have recently had a blood test which made me realise I wasn’t as healthy as I thought I was. I have always taken my health for granted, assuming I was healthy but realised that I had slowly lost a lot of healthy habits over the year. So, I am now in the process of trying to become a better version of myself but I find it difficult to establish new habits. I have decided to make very small changes over time to make sure they are engrained into my routine. I find if I make a drastic change, I find it very hard to stick to! If I decided to go for a 10k run everyday, I think I would give up after day 2! So here are some things I am doing to create new habits to be a better version of myself. 

We all have the desire to improve ourselves and be the best version of who we can be. One way to achieve this is by creating new habits. However, it's crucial to approach this process with patience and a focus on gradual small changes rather than rushing and expecting immediate transformation.

EMBRACING SMALL CHANGES

It's natural to desire instant results, but new habits don't form overnight. If I changed my entire diet and workout routine tomorrow, I don’t think it would last a week. Instead, it's about creating minor adjustments and embedding them into our everyday routine. For example, if you want to start exercising more regularly, rather than committing to an intense workout regimen right away, begin with a short daily walk or a few minutes of stretching. As these small changes become part of your routine, you can gradually increase the intensity or duration of your workouts. This approach allows for a more sustainable and lasting change. Initially, it may feel like you’re not making much progress, but is it better a year from now, you’ve improved by 15% or you’re right where you started because you’re finding it hard to stick to new habits? Slow and steady wins the race!!

Patience is Key

Rome wasn't built in a day, and the same goes for evolving our habits. Patience is indispensable in this process. When progress seems slow, it's important to remember that every small step is a victory in itself. Remind yourself that change takes time and that each small change is a building block for the new habits you are striving to establish. Day to day, it won’t feel like much change, but over a year, two years, five years… you’ll start to see massive progress!

Celebrate Small Victories

Amid the journey towards new habits, it's crucial to celebrate every small victory. Whether it's sticking to a new habit for a week or successfully replacing a negative behaviour with a positive one for a day, these feats are worthy of celebration! Acknowledge and reward yourself for these achievements because EVERY positive change is note for celebration. This positive reinforcement can provide the motivation and encouragement needed to continue forging ahead on your path to self-improvement.

Becoming a Better Version of Yourself

The ultimate goal of creating new habits is to become a better, healthier, and happier version of yourself. It's a process of self-discovery and growth. Embrace the journey, and don't be discouraged by setbacks. YOU ARE HUMAN! It's in these moments that we learn the most about ourselves and our capabilities. If you have a setback, be compassionate with yourself. Speak kindly to yourself and allow yourself to get back on track, guilt-free. Keep your gaze set on the end goal, and consistently remind yourself of the positive changes you are making.

Know yourself

If you decide you want to be an insta-girl to go to the gym at 6am every morning but you know you're NOT a morning person and hate exercising in the gym, then this habit is not going to work for you. It's hard to face the truth about yourself, you may not being able to become your Pinterest board, because you can't stand pilates and hate green smoothies. Being healthy and happy, is different to every person. Being authentic to yourself and being self-aware are vital components of creating new habits. It's important to recognise that what works for someone else may not work for you, and that's okay. Embracing your uniqueness and understanding your capabilities is essential in this process. Self-awareness allows you to discern which changes align with your values, preferences, and lifestyle. Knowing your tendencies and limitations can help you choose habits that you will easily incorporate and sustain. By staying true to yourself and being self-aware, you can cultivate new habits that are not only meaningful but also harmonious with your individuality.

In conclusion, the power of small changes in creating new habits cannot be overstated. By focusing on gradual progress, exercising patience, celebrating every small victory, and keeping our eyes on the bigger picture of personal growth, we can transform ourselves into the best version of who we aspire to be. The journey may be long, but the destination is worth every small step we take along the way.

So If you're interested in watching me continue my path of self-growth, health and happiness you can follow my insta here. Start your journey to being a better version of yourself now!