Starting a self-care & wellness plan can start off as an exciting and great idea. You may be motivated by a particular goal or by necessity to fix or improve something. You may want symptom relief for your mental health and have heard starting yoga can help you achieve that in your life.
You know your 'why' for starting or adding something to your day, but what is your stumbling block from achieving your goals? Is there something hindering your process to just get started? It is okay to not even know where to begin.
Just making the decision to create a change in your life is a step forward. Contact me at Knotsology to figure out where to begin in your self-care & wellness journey.
It is important to note that being too focused on the end result may be what is blocking your success. Growth and progress is not a linear path. This is why I suggest creating SMART goals within your self-care & wellness plan.
What are SMART goals? The SMART acronym stands for:
Specific: Clearly define what you want to accomplish
Measurable: Your goal should be quantifiable, allowing you to track your progress and measure your success.
Achievable: Ensure that your goal is realistic and attainable given your resources, abilities, and constraints.
Relevant: Your goal should align with your values, priorities, and long-term objectives. It should be relevant to your overall well-being and personal growth.
Time-Bound: Set a deadline or timeframe for achieving your goal. This creates a sense of urgency and helps you stay focused and motivated.
I believe that making SMART goals that are specific to your 'reason why' is comparable to getting the best footwear before starting your goal to run a marathon. You are setting yourself up for success with a foundation and a way forward with your plan.
Here is an example:
"I want to improve my flexibility by incorporating stretching exercises into my daily routine."
"I will measure my flexibility by assessing my ability to touch my toes before and after two weeks of consistent stretching."
"I will start by stretching for 10 minutes every morning, gradually increasing to 20 minutes as I build flexibility and endurance."
"Improving my flexibility aligns with my goal of maintaining overall physical health and preventing injury during exercise and daily activities."
"I will increase my flexibility enough to touch my toes comfortably within one month of consistent stretching."
By following the SMART goals and incorporating these examples, you too can create goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. This will set yourself up for success in your self-care & wellness journey.
So how do you then get started?
I will say it again: You do not need to be great to begin.
You must first dispel the myth that you need to be great or better than you are at something. This usually comes from the comparison factor. You may be comparing yourself to how you were in the past, an ideal you think you need to achieve or even to someone else's appearance or ability.
If we look back at the example of SMART goals above with wanting to achieve the goal of having more flexibility and range of movement. You may be following photos or video tutorials that show you how to stretch correctly in order to achieve your specific flexibility goals. It can be so easy to compare your current ability and progress to someone who can already achieve what you are working towards.
Stop right there.
Meet yourself where you are at today. Some days you might find you are improving and other days you may take two steps backwards. Progress is not a straight line and your own journey will reflect that too. Be kind to yourself.
Instead of comparing yourself and feeling the negative effects of that thinking, I invite you to try benchmarking instead.
For the flexibility example this can be choosing specific benchmarking and flexibility tests that you can come back to throughout your process. It is great way not just to monitor your progress but to also make changes as needed as you continue with growth. It is not to hold you back but to keep you growing and showing up for yourself as time goes by.
In conclusion, embarking on a self-care and wellness journey is a powerful decision fueled by your personal motivations and aspirations. It is essential to recognize and address the obstacles that may hinder your progress. At Knotsology, we understand the importance of overcoming barriers and creating a roadmap tailored to your unique needs and objectives.
So, as you embark on your self-care and wellness journey, remember: You don't need to be great to begin; you just need to get started. Embrace the process, be kind to yourself, and trust in your ability to create positive change in your life.
Live better. Empower your Healing.
Choose Knotsology.
Blog post written by Bonnie Rose Aherin, L6 BTEC, ACMT | www.knotsology.com
Bonnie Rose is an Advanced Clinical and Sports & Rehab Massage Therapist and yoga teacher located in Dunfermline, Scotland, UK. With Knotsology she works to help people with the management of their mental health and chronic pain both in clinic and in online sessions.
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