Are you guilty of knowing more, but doing less?
Paige’s Story
Paige is guilty of knowing more, but doing less. Every evening, Paige reads articles on how to naturally heal IBS. For hours, she sifts through link after link of advice on holistic healing. She looks at supplements, foods, and then listens to podcasts. Although the researching can be overwhelming, Paige is really good at deciphering what’s important and what’s not. She saves her favorites, makes a list of things to do, and feels confident she’s found a starting point. Then, she watches TV and goes to bed. While trying to fall asleep, she imagines the things she needs to start doing that pertain to her eating, personal care, and stress management. She’s interested in getting a health coach, or making an appointment with a naturopathic doctor. The tasks she imagines remain in her mind the next day, and for many days after. They stay safe there; tucked inside her brain. Paige is caught in knowing more, but doing less.
Thoughts Become Imprisoned Actions
Paige has everything she needs in her head, but it is trapped there. The information is screaming at her day in and day out. Overwhelmed, she finds menial tasks to do around the house after work to keep her busy. She wants to keep her mind off of the fact that she isn’t doing what she is supposed to do. Avoiding taking action, she chooses to do things that have no positive effect on her IBS. Why? There are a few reasons.
It Will Create Tension in Most of Her Relationships
Birds of a feather flock together, and when it comes to making lifestyle changes, many times people have to be the odd bird out. Being in a group of friends who share the same struggles, indulgences, and complacency creates unity. If one person decides they want to create peace, treat themselves better, and take initiative to solve their problems, then that hinders their connection to the group. Fearing displacement, people will “play small” and avoid doing what they should. If it’s friendship, they don’t want to be left out or looked at as an outsider. If it’s a relationship, they don’t want to hear the backlash from their spouse/partner. It’s not worth the hassle. Rather than address the insecurities of the friends or partner, and work on a solution, people will simply put their needs aside and play to please.
Paige Lacks Faith in Simplicity: It Can’t Be That Easy
Well, it’s not easy. The concepts of changing lifestyle habits are easy, but the consistency and dedication are difficult at first. It takes a good 6 months to create new habits, which is why my individual coaching program is 6 months long. Doing things like changing what you eat and drink, exercising, managing stress, or improving self-care are things that don’t happen overnight. These are simple concepts with complications woven within them. They are also areas of our lives that serve as gateways to deeper challenges to address; that’s where the healing really happens.
The Body Can’t Heal Without Medication or Surgery
We are conditioned to think that we need an outside source to heal. Ignoring our inner workings, we go to a pill, a procedure, or just a professional to tell us what is wrong. Not that these things are always wrong, but they are not always necessary. The foundation of disease goes back to having an overall imbalance. There’s inconsistencies and holes, and you know what’s lacking. We know ourselves better than anyone else. For example, unless you’ve been living under a rock for decades, you know that stress is the leading cause of many health issues. What areas of your life create stress? How can those areas be changed or eliminated? What can be done to improve them so that you don’t feel crazy all the time? Slowly but surely, step by step, a new life takes form. It’s hard for Paige to imagine that this will happen.
Knowing Enough, Doing More
Today, I challenge you to take what you know in this moment and apply it. Don’t read another article, download another app, or wonder if you should buy another pair of tennis shoes. Take what information you have, listen to the music on your phone, and then go for a walk in the shoes that you already have. Everything you need you already have. You know enough, and it’s time to do something. It’s time to take action.
Need Accountability?
If you’re struggling to make the necessary changes in your life to feel better, then contact me with the form below. Find out more about how a health coach can help you! Health consultations are free! Schedule one with me today.
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