You don’t need to read them in order or even do this in January (this framework works anytime).
And speaking of life interrupting things…
I got really sick this past week.
Which felt ironic, considering this is the week I planned to write about “the follow-through,” and what happens when things don’t go according to plan.
We are on the final leg of non-diet goal-setting: the follow-through.
Ugh I hate being sick! Luckily, this too, shall pass.
If life interrupted you recently, try this
You don’t need a reset: but you DO need a re-entry.
Here are a few simple ways to come back without starting over:
Select ONE supportive behavior. One meal, one walk, one grocery run, one laundry bucket. That’s enough to stay afloat and get momentum back.
Break it DOWN. Ever notice how something feels so big and overwhelming, especially if you are sick or have a million things to do? It helps to take that big hairy audacious goal (BHAG) and break it down.
Decide WHEN you’ll try again. Pick a specific day and time. Time-block it on the calendar. Then stop negotiating with yourself and do the thing.
What this looked like for me last week
For me, this looked like accepting early on that this was not the week to push anything.
I knew my only real “goal” was rest.
So I didn’t exercise.
I didn’t end up making the dinners I had planned.
I listened to my body and, as I tell my kids, trusted that it knew what to do if I let it.
Sidenote
I literally tell my kids this when they can’t sleep at night, that if they give their body a chance to relax, close their eyes, and stop moving around like a little feral animal, their body will know exactly what to do :) Because bodies are smart; we just have to trust them.
And if you’re a parent, did you hear, you are NOT allowed to be sick. Nope! They do not care lol. No one cares. The ship still has to sail, and you’re often the one steering it.
So buckle-up, buttercup...
“How do you not go insane?”
I’ve asked myself that a lot this past week.
In a weird way, I’m almost glad this happened right as I was writing this follow-through email. Because this is what follow-through actually looks like.
You ask yourself: What can I reasonably do right now?
For me, it meant lowering the bar without abandoning my goals.
Keeping the household running in the simplest way possible.
Letting “good enough” be enough.
Trusting that when I felt better, I’d return to the routines that support me and my fam.
That’s your re-entry: meet whatever moment you’re in, move forward from there. You got this.
Have a great week, Reader,
P.S. TL;DR: you don’t need to start over every Monday when you “messed up” (that’s kinda diet-culture). You just need a practical way back in.
P.P.S. I’ll be in your inbox Monday-ish with more, and I’ve got some brand new blogs + resources coming soon, too, so don’t go anywhere!
P.P.P.S. my #1 evidence-based sick tip: hydrate like it’s your job. We have been into steamy hot cocoa as an after-school treat ☕️
