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Habit-forming is one of the few things we need to achieve progress. Through it, we gain the essential skill of breaking down our bigger pictures into smaller, more achievable ones through our everyday choices and movements and learning how significant the role of consistency is.
Before we know it, the habits we create will form the rituals that will push us toward our goals. The idea of being able to follow through with our must-have routines could give us enough motivation to stick to them, but in time, it would be completely normal to feel like there might be a missing key— or that it could ultimately be better.
Try looking at your current rituals and reflect:
Are these rituals allowing me to see & feel progress? Let the measures vary. Progress can be tangible and intangible things.
Do I have enough wiggle room around my routines? Rituals hone discipline, but they don't have to feel restrictive.
I'm ever-changing. Have my routines adapted to it? Remember, rituals don't have to be set in stone.
If you've answered yes to at least one of them, you may need a few tweaks to boost your current rituals. Here's what you could do:
Allow space for change.
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Some of us may have notions that longevity always means rewards. While this could be true for some cases, we often apply this mindset despite the many signs that our rituals no longer work for us. Although it can be frightening to break away from routines we're familiar with, allowing change could give us the boost we might have needed for a while. Maybe it's changing one part of your routine or a complete overhaul. Take it as a sign of having foresight on what is and how it could be better & allowing it to happen to you.
Get into the nitty-gritty.
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Often we get into routines that give us the 'makes sense' feeling. If we want to improve our overall mobility, the ritual we want to form focuses on getting exercise regularly. While it's a great starting point, that often leads us to think that every form of exercise would work for us and that the only way to boost mobility is through that alone.
The goal of mobility, however, is multi-faceted. So are you! When rethinking your goal, try considering what else goes into the process. What other lifestyle changes would you have to take to do it? Exercise comes in many forms, but which would work best for your current pace? Perhaps instead of full workouts, you're more inclined towards frequent movement through walks. Try to actualize these as much as you can to make your goals more achievable. Ground your rituals in what you can do now, what's sustainable, and what other factors come into play. Move forward from there.
Take an accountability partner.
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Rituals are sacred, unique, and personal. That doesn't mean it has to be lonely. Some Women in Progress®️ find that the key to a more fulfilling journey toward progress is being able to share moments, learnings, and musings with those who are on a similar road toward something good. It allows the feeling of connection— a gentle, needed knowledge that we're not alone in trying to reach our goals.
Try to find your go-to person. This could be a partner, a family member, a friend, or even the familiar face at work, the gym, or your workshops. Who knows what they could do for your progress and what you'll learn from them on the way?
Bring a progress buddy for your skin journey.
Mix to match.
Improving your routines is a process, and we often have to go through grueling, often eye-changing processes to find out our groove— what sets us into momentum. Branch out and try not to be afraid to explore different ways to make your rituals better. Loop us in when you do.