Some research shows that you are more likely to make a small change in your life when it is accompanied by another big change (moving, getting married, getting divorced, entering a new year…). Other research says you need to define your goals better, gain more willpower, find meaning and purpose, etc.. At Path Wellbeing, we like to talk about accountability and sustainability.
Guess what? They’re all right. And, they’re all wrong. Not everything will work for everyone.
I find the same is true with making New Year’s resolutions – whether you believe in them, are motivated by them or stay committed to them is completely dependent upon your personal choices, experiences and challenges. There is no 30-day challenge, diet plan or motivational program that can fully suit your personal needs, especially when it comes to sustainable change.
The YOU Factor
If you’ve been reading our articles, you know by now that we love diving into research, but I need to come clean about something: at the end of the day, the research doesn’t really matter. Research and statistics can only go so far, demonstrating an average or aggregate that can discount the unique nature of YOU. They also tend to dismiss percentages that don’t fall within the “norm”, turning humans into numbers and outliers into outcasts.
If you haven’t read our article about “Swastha, Coming Into One’s Self”, I recommend it. For some, the concept of “living a higher truth” will feel a bit overwhelming – and perhaps a bit patronizing. That is not our intention. Our intention is to help you understand that YOUR truth doesn’t have to be someone else’s truth and certainly not the truth of the averages or masses.
And, once you realize that, change will be easy.
What Works for You
Last year, I tested a weight loss app. Not because I necessarily wanted to lose weight (although my pants were feeling a bit tighter than normal) but because I wanted to know how the celebrated genius behind this popular app was motivating people to reach their weight loss goals. The experience was eye-opening. On the first day after I entered all my data, the app told me to only eat green foods – primarily green vegetables – for a week. Then, the app sent me notifications…on my phone…everyday…for a week…to only eat green foods. I deleted the app.
Eating unicolored foods, and receiving regular reminders to do so, almost certainly would have led to weight loss (and allegedly has for thousands). So, why wasn’t this motivating for me? I value a varied diet, not just for the enhanced nutrient content but for the sheer joy of eating different foods everyday and indulging, on occasion, in foods that are not green, or organically grown or necessarily full of vitamins and minerals. And, because, as an Ayurvedic health counselor and clinician, I know you don’t need to eat just green vegetables to lose weight. The app simply didn’t fit my personal values, including finding no joy (or, quite frankly, sense) in eating only green food.
I felt perplexed, however, because this app had been celebrated in major publications, on social networks and even broadcast television. I began to wonder what was wrong with me? How could I be such an “outlier”, so unable to accomplish what so many others were clearly doing? How could I not commit to a simple task for one week? I compared myself to the thousands who had successfully used the app and felt ashamed that I wasn’t good enough to do what they were doing. Where was my discipline???
And then it clicked – practice what you preach.
I returned to my higher truth. I reevaluated what works for ME. I gently let go of what the masses were doing and revisited my personal intentions and purpose in this great maze of life. Coming back to these insights about myself is both a learned and an intuitive behavior that I have cultivated over time – and still forget on occasion simply because I’m human. Once this muscle memory kicked in, I remembered that, for me, eating is a way of nurturing my body, mind and spirit. Food isn’t just fuel, it is also the foundation of every aspect of energy that runs through my physical and subtle body.
What I eat, how I eat and how well I digest my food is the cornerstone of my overall wellbeing. I also have a custom-tailored nutrition plan that honors my values, including eating a variety of foods and enjoying occasional indulgences, and keeps me in balance. For me – and, really, for most – mindful eating is essential to all parts of the food consumption process as it enhances nutrient absorption, reduces digestive upset and even kick-starts your metabolism (energy directed away from digestion – working, watching tv, answering emails – is energy spent on something other than your metabolic process).
Within a week, my pants started fitting better, I no longer questioned my choices or abilities and I finally felt centered in myself again – without the extra effort of app reminders, restrictive protocols or the energetic drain or self-appraisal and self-criticism.
Your Path Forward
You don’t have to ditch the apps, weight-loss programs or 30-day commitments. In fact, give them all a try. See what works for you. Take the best and leave the rest. Personal change is a journey that can – and should – last a lifetime.
But, only you can define what will keep you on your path of change. If you’ve been struggling to define your “path” in that equation or to find a path that works for you, don’t be afraid to ask for help. And, remember, that everyday presents an opportunity for change – to set your intentions so you can accomplish your goals. You don’t have to wait until the next New Year to do something different.
The practitioners at Path Wellbeing are trained in Ayurvedic health coaching and medicine, as well as energetic healing and transformational personal wellbeing. Our commitment is to support you on a journey that makes sense for you.
Article authored by Kirsten Ahern, Founder of Path Wellbeing, Clinical Ayurvedic Practitioner, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach (IIN), ERYT-200/RYT500, Wellbeing Advocate, and Meditation and Mindfulness Coach.
