Are You Waiting For a Better Time or Making an Excuse to Procrastinate on Your Health

Is waiting to start an autoimmune health program a good idea?

As we head into the holidays and find ourselves approaching 2022, I have been find myself in many of conversations with women wanting to change their lives…. Just not right now.

Over the last two weeks, numerous women have reached out to me with virtually the same issue. The crux connecting the conversations I’ve had with each woman has been identical; They are looking to improve their health, and they are looking to me to help them in some way, shape or form. Each woman said they want to making changes to their lifestyle, but they don’t want to make any changes until “after the holidays.” Next year will be a better time to begin focusing on their health.

They are also seemingly asking for permission to delay their health re-set until 2022. They feel guilty for wanting to put these transitions off.

I’ve heard, ‘I know I’m just making excuses,’ and ‘Now isn’t a good time.’ There is, ‘I’m too stressed to even attempt this right now.’ or, ‘Once the holidays are over, things will calm down.’

My response in each instance has been to support their decision and be understanding of their need to delay. I mean, I get it. Making sweeping changes to one, if not many, areas of your life can be challenging. It feels like a lot. It is a lot. These women don’t need me guilt-tripping them into feeling bad for a choice they are making. Motherhood provides enough guilt as is.

I mean, I get it. Making sweeping changes to one, if not many, areas of your life can be challenging

But it brings to mind an important question. When is a good time? I mean really? When is the exact right moment to overhaul your diet, prioritize yourself in a way not many people will understand, and permanently change the trajectory of your health?

The answer is: There isn’t one. There’s never going to be the perfect time to make the changes needed to heal your autoimmune disease. You just do it. One day you decide enough is enough. You get tired of feeling terrible. Grow weary of your own excuses. You find the will to overpower the doubts in your head and you just do it.

I don’t fault these women for not feeling ready. I was there too. Heck, there have been times since I began my own healing that I knew I need to shift directions and I delayed doing so because I “wasn’t ready.” And I know better!

There is need to respect the not yet. If you aren’t ready to put in the work, you aren’t going to take action, and then it’s just another failed attempt. The crushing disappointment of another perceived failure inevitably delays trying again. And the self-inflicted doubt that replaced the excitement of change further proves you can’t get better.

I respect the not yet. But don’t let not yet be your never.

Not yet can be knowing you aren’t in the place you need to be. Maybe you need to get through the busy holiday season so that you can focus on meal planning. Maybe you need one last indulgence of the foods you are about to say goodbye to. Maybe it’s too hard to dive into some of those family inflicted traumas at this moment because tis the season and you will be spending time with the person who caused you pain. I respect the not yet, as long as not yet isn’t never.

You know that old saying, “I’ll start on Monday.” You mean it. One last weekend to live it up, and then come Monday you’re waking up early. You’re hitting the gym. You won’t eat all that junk. You won’t have that drink. But Monday comes and you hit the snooze button. You skip the gym because you’re running late for work. You stop by your co-workers candy bowl a few too many times. Something unexpected happens turning the day tough and you find yourself needing that glass of wine when you come home. Maybe next Monday will be better. Next Monday you’ll try again. Except that’s not how life works. Life doesn’t take it easy on you just because you decided you want to make a change. If anything, life will feel harder when you start implementing new routines and changing your habits. So Monday never comes, and your new improved life goes on to live in the land of leprechauns and unicorns.

Don’t let the holidays, or the promising start of a new year, be your Monday.

If you’ve decided to wait until after the holidays to start a health program to address your autoimmune condition, that’s okay. Please know that it’s totally fine to do so, and stop stressing over it. Enjoy your parties, events, gatherings and special holiday fare. Do so without the added burden of guilt reminding you of what you “should” be doing. These extra couple of weeks will not make or break your health. It might be exactly what you need before you dive into the everlasting changes you are committing to once the holiday cheer has subsided.

BUT, and it’s a big but, do not let an after the holidays intention turn into your excuse to put something hard off until “someday.” Excuses are easy to give into because they are rational. They makes sense. Excuses perhaps make even more sense than going for the health you crave. If it was easy, you would have already done it. Get clear on the reason you are wanting to change your health and the outcome you desire. It may be helpful in pushing you from idea to execution. Maybe finding support and guidance would be beneficial. Whatever you need to do to set yourself up for success, take the time to do it now.

There’s never the perfect time to change your life, but the longer you wait to start, the longer it will take for you to feel your best.

If you are waiting to start your autoimmune health journey and would like to discuss how I could help you get started, I invite you to book a consultation call with me. It’s completely free and I know I will be able to provide you some useful information in those 30 minutes.