Steps on a Wellness Journey
Last month, we reset our understanding of wellness to be able to personally own our wellness journey. We explored how wellness is truly unique to each of us – founded in values and personal strengths, driven by our hopes and dreams of the life we envision. But do you ever feel that moving from visioning to action feels really hard? That even the best laid plans often have insurmountable obstacles? That it’s hard to get going - even if you know what it looks like?
Finding motivation to get started on a wellness journey IS hard, especially when there is uncertainty, questions, or obstacles in the way. Connecting our wellness vision to what we truly want – voicing what is most important to us – is the first step to getting started. But what else can be done to increase motivation and take those steps towards wellness envisioned?
Go back to “why.” Know what it is. Say it loud. Write it down. The “why” behind the desire to change or start something new is powerful - let it have a voice.
Try something new for 5 minutes. That’s it, just 5. Set a timer and see how you feel when the time is done. Acknowledge yourself for getting through the 5 minutes. Changes done in small increments over time add up to big changes. Always start small.
Find the next step. Not the outcome. Not the next 5 steps—the next step. Accomplish that first.
Identify the barriers. Brainstorm ways around, over, under, through the barriers. And if the barrier is insurmountable—what about starting somewhere else?
Address your fears. It’s ok to be fearful! We tell children that it’s ok to be angry but it’s not ok to hit. It’s ok to be fearful of change but that doesn’t have to dictate inaction. Name the feeling and remind yourself of your strengths; fear doesn’t have to lead the way.
Get the tools you need. Need gym shoes? Supplies for a favorite hobby? Or maybe it’s a buddy? Identify the tools you need to do what you need to do and get them. Know what you need to be successful.
Reframe the problems. Try changing the language of “I have to” into “I choose.” Experiment with understanding a problem from a different point of view. If your friend had this problem, what might they say? Explore realistic options without catastrophizing.
Build on success. Own your success; recognize and celebrate the small wins. Small wins build up to big wins.
While there is no prescription for wellness, and no road map to tell us exactly what to do and when, there are strategies to use to get started on our wellness paths. Motivation doesn’t have to be fleeting – we can take small steps and create small successes to build toward our vision of wellness. And when we remember that it’s a wellness journey, and not a destination, we give ourselves permission to try out the life we envision. That, in and of itself, can be motivating enough to start.
