Embrace the Small Wins
I wanted to share what I think is a bit of a client success story so far.
Since I used to work in Big Law for the majority of my career, many of my clients thus far have been women attorneys at the top of their careers who are finally prioritizing themselves and their health. In the climb to that top spot, a lot of things suffered over the years especially with respect to their physical and emotional health.
You work long hours in the office only to log back on when you get home. Your regular workout routine becomes non-existent and your body starts feeling stiff and aching from sitting all day. You’re too busy and stressed to make healthy food choices so you opt for takeout more often than not because it’s easy and convenient. You choose comfort food because it makes you feel warm, cozy and comforted for just a fleeting moment as you eat it in those five minutes. If you have kids, you’re busy running around getting things done for them but realize that you rarely ever take time for yourself anymore. Life is just blazing by and you feel worse than you ever have. Do any of these sound like you?
One my of my clients in particular came to me a bit fed up and wanted to start 2023 feeling differently than she had these past several years: she wanted to feel better in her own skin; she wanted to feel like she was already working towards her goals instead of waiting until January 1; she wanted to establish lasting healthy habits and ones that would set an example for her twins.
We'd been working together for a little over a month and she had a moment where she got down on herself because, though she was feeling better, she wasn't yet seeing physical results.
I had to remind her of all the wins that she HAD accomplished so far and celebrate them:
how she established a new consistent 30-minute daily movement routine after work
that she gained the ability to decompress when she comes home and takes the time for herself without feeling selfish
that her sleep has improved significantly and that she is looking at things in a more positive light
that she's setting an example for her kids (as her 10-year old daughter cheers her on by the treadmill)
not to mention she's become more mindful around eating, started making better choices and is practicing more self-kindness
All big leaps since she's begun her journey but society has brainwashed us into thinking that unless you lose weight or see physical change right away, it's not enough.
My client is staying true to her journey and accepting that it comes with these mixed emotions - it's a process, learning that change doesn't happen overnight and being ok with that.
Lasting change takes time and I'm willing to invest mine in others if they're willing to invest it in themselves.
