Some people jump on their New Year’s resolutions with gusto. However, it is all too common for the commitment to soon fizzle. I am discovering that many people have stepped away from the immediate jump into action to a drawn-out process of procrastination.
In my initial nutrition counselling sessions with clients who want to embrace healthier eating, I’ve heard many say, ‘I’ll start when…’
- ‘I’ll start when the kids go back to school.’
- ‘I’ll start eating healthier when I’ve finished the kitchen renovations or purchased a juicer.’
- ‘I’ll prioritise eating healthy after this deadline at work.’
No right time to start
Yet distractions and challenges will always come up in life, and there is never going to be a ‘right’ time to start.
You’ll always be able to find a reason to say, ‘I’ll start when…’
So, if you find yourself saying, ‘I’ll start when…’, I encourage you to investigate whether delaying making change is appropriate or whether it is an avoidance tactic, as you feel the change will be hard or time-consuming.
Identifying whether your barriers to change in this moment, right now, are real or perceived can be incredibly eye-opening and help you see how you may have been sabotaging your health. This can take quite a lot of reflection and inward investigation, but helps you to move through procrastination and make the changes you desire.
If you are considering how you start the New Year or your resolutions, you may also find it helpful to read:
