Have you ever noticed that a lot of the excuses we make center around our wellness habits?
We seem to have an unlimited supply of excuses when it comes to adopting a healthier lifestyle, even though we know making such changes can profoundly improve our health and life.
No matter the wellness intervention, our excuses for not doing it are basically the same; they frequently cast blame to someone or something outside ourselves. We're so quick to give our power to our spouses, offspring, extended family members, jobs, the weather, our bank accounts, our physical limitations, our moods, our messes ...
These are some of the excuses I’ve heard from clients (or have uttered myself) when it comes to adopting healthier habits and routines:
Meditation and other Mind Mastery Strategies: It’s boring; I don’t have time; I can’t concentrate; my life is too chaotic; I have more important things to do; I can’t remember to practice this daily …
Daily movement: I don’t have time; I hate exercise; I can’t afford a gym membership; I have too many physical limitations; there’s no place safe for me to walk; exercise is for athletes; I’ve gone this far in my life without lifting a dumbbell, why should I start now? …
Eating Real, Old-Fashioned Foods: I can’t cook; I don’t have time to shop/cook/meal plan; I don’t like that stuff; it's too expensive; I can't live without my Cola/Rainbow Cocoa Sugar Puffs/Cheezy Wizz; no one else in my family will eat this way …
Toxin Management: I’ve used the same shampoo (or toothpaste, or deodorant, or detergent, or moisturizer, or …) for the past 30 years, and they work just fine; I don’t have the money for that fancy "natural" stuff ...
Sleep Hygiene: I can’t afford blue light blocking glasses; my partner needs a night-light; I don’t have time for 7-8 hours of sleep a day; I’ve had insomnia for the past decade and nothing the doctor gives me works, so what makes you think these natural things will help me? …
Fun and Play: I don’t have time; I don’t have the energy; I can’t find people to join me; I don’t know what to do for fun; I can't afford it; I’m too old for play; I have too many more important things to do ...
Any of this sound familiar?
Now, granted, there are many people who simply have no interest or desire to change, and that’s perfectly acceptable; no excuses needed! In fact, it’s extraordinarily liberating to be able to acknowledge and say, in all honesty: That's not for me.
Saying No or declining an opportunity is not an excuse, but a decisive boundary. More power to you!
But for those of us who, deep down, really want to make changes that can positively influence our lives and health, not only in the immediate future but for years to come, our excuses hold us back.
Our excuses limit our ability to see the possibilities. They keep us stuck, preventing us from creating the lives of resilience, vitality, and peace we so long to enjoy.
Our excuses also disable us; cut us off at the knees.
Why do we so willingly and easily give our power to our excuses? Pass our responsibility for our own perceived shortcomings to other people and circumstances?
What would happen if we stopped making excuses for ourselves?
What if we stopped justifying our incessant inaction, and allowed ourselves to either say No, or to say I'm willing; I'm open to the possibility?
When we live life in the Excuse-free Zone we liberate ourselves from the guilt and shame that so often accompany excuses. We allow ourselves to take responsibility for our actions, which itself is empowering, and propels us forward.
What if every time we hear ourselves coming up with an excuse, we instead told ourselves I’m willing, or It’s possible, or anything other than I can’t?
“I’m willing to try meditating (or another mind mastery strategy) for 1 minute every day."
“I’m willing to spend 5 minutes mindfully moving my body each day.”
“I’m willing to cook one simple meal a week using nutrient-dense, old-fashioned foods.”
“I’m willing to switch out my regular commercial deodorant and try something less toxic.”
“For one week, I’m willing to turn off my screen devices 30 minutes before bedtime to see if that helps me sleep better.”
“I’m willing to find something to smile about each day.
That is what life looks like in the Excuse-free Zone: feeling free to say “No,” and being equally free to be open to new possibilities.
Life in the Excuse-free Zone means you're willing to take action, no matter how small and insignificant that action might seem to you in the moment. Because every tiny action done consistently builds and scales, and shows us what we're capable of.
In the end, adopting healthier lifestyle practices is not about perfection, or about attempting to please others. It's about making a commitment to ourselves; committing to ourselves to take the consistent actions needed to feel better.
And then finding a way, any way, to do them.
No excuses!
Wishing you well,
Susan
PS: If you’re ready to commit to taking action and would like an experienced holistic lifestyles expert to join you in your journey, schedule a free session today!
Comments