I did a video this morning about JUST getting started! Just begin. Do it anyway. You want change? Start small and build on your changes. I’ll put the link here for the video, but I wanted to talk some more about that because, well, it’s a big deal.
For someone who struggles with depression especially, getting the motivation to make changes can feel like the heaviest of burdens. From my perspective, one thing at a time or starting small doesn’t produce a big of enough result to keep me happy. I like a little more drama than that. 😉 BUT one thing at a time and starting small only makes it simply bearable to begin. The changes that snowball are no small potatoes.
My husband said to me once when I was in a depression, “JUST start going to meetings more regularly and the rest will fall into place.” That was so profound to me because I felt so broken at the time, BUT knew he was right. When we do something for ourselves that helps to improve ourselves other things that equate change just start to happen. It’s Ahhhhhmazing! So in my case, I started going to meetings and meeting with my sponsor, that allowed me to be more open about what I was going through with my friends and found those important connections again, I started feeling better and became more active, I started doing yoga and walking again for exercise, AND quit smoking!! This all over the course of at least 6 months. So you see, small tiny little efforts led to me feeling like… well myself today. I had to start somewhere.
I’ve had to start somewhere 100 times. Every time I start I have always learned something from the time before and NEVER lose what knowledge I’ve gained. Many cycles and patterns have been halted and some still hang on like frickin gorilla glue, but I will never stop starting over. That is one of my favorite lessons in this life… alcoholism, exercise, business, parenting, shit… anything that I have learned… Consistency is key and don’t ever, ever quit. Just don’t quit. Nothing can seem so dire as, “gaaawwwd… I’m never, ever, ever going to change” if you never stop trying to change.
A very important piece of this ‘daring to change’ idea is that you don’t have to do it all at once. In fact, its almost mandatory that you pace yourself, to prevent failure. I set myself up for failure every time I try to do 10 new and improved ideas all at once. Boom…Too heavy. QUIT! FAIL! Every time. Where one thing at a time usually simply leads to the next thing without even really trying.
I still look at my ass that has fallen to my knees and wonder if I’ll ever snap back after four babies… but I don’t stop trying. I absolutely hate cooking but know that I have to for the health of my children… so I’ll keep trying. I have no clue what certain technological terms and systems could better benefit my business… but damn skippy I’ll learn. I’m not altogether sure what my triggers are that send me down my rabbit hole of depression… but I will always keep trying to put the kabosh on that pattern.
In conclusion I think we’ve discovered that there simply has to be a willingness. I speak about this a lot but it really is one of the very few things needed for change and living a healthy life… Willingness. If you’re willing, you’ll try as many times as it takes.
Getting Honest 