Heisann!
I mentioned in last week’s Thursday Thoughts that I’d been listening to old Jillian Michaels podcasts to get caught up with them. The first segment on one the other day (the one that aired on January 7th titled Stop waiting to live your life) really hit a chord with me and I wanted to share and expand on their conversation.
They discussed how we all wait to do things until it’s the right time, until things are “perfect”. Jillian’s examples: “when I lose 20 lbs, then I’ll join match.com” or “when I lose 20 lbs, then I’ll go on that beach vacation” or “when I get the house I love then I’ll invite people over.”
When they said this, it really hit me and made me realize something about myself that I’d never thought about. I definitely do the same thing, and I think most people probably do! Jillian asked – why can’t where you are now be good enough? Why can’t you be good enough just as you are? We all have these fears that we’ll get rejected or fail if we try now, so we say we’ll do it later when ___ happens, when things are perfect or we’re good enough to try.
But the problem with this is that most of the time ____ doesn’t happen and we never do the things we want to do, we never live our lives. But we need to just DO IT! Just write down what we’re waiting to do and go do it now! Could we fail? YES. Could we get rejected? YES. But you know what? That’s okay. Life goes on.
Here are some of my “When _____ happens, then I’ll _____.”
When I get faster then I’ll race another 5K.
When I lose some weight then I’ll try eating intuitively.
When I write a few sample articles then I’ll look for freelance jobs.
When I have a travel buddy then I’ll go to Europe.
When I’m dating someone then I’ll be able to stop over-eating.
When I get more readers/followers then I’ll reach out to companies.
When I have a job then I can afford to get into rock climbing/horseback riding/boxing/dancing.
Although it might be easier to put some of these things off, what if they never happen? We are all good enough now. YOU are good enough now. So go off and do what you want to do!
You’re turn to share, what are some of your “when I ___, then I’ll ____” ?
Now, go do them!
Great post!! When I have time I’ll make some updates to the blog. I just need to do it!!’
Oh that’s definitely one of mine too!
Yes! This is something I’ve been thinking/writing about recently, too…a lot of the “when Is” for me right now are connected to money (when I have a little more money, I’ll sign up for this race, travel here, buy compression socks, etc), which I know doesn’t necessarily have to be an excuse…I just have to get a little more creative with my finances…and stop going to Target!
I’m the same way – I spend money on the most ridiculous things but I won’t spend it on what I need because I think I don’t have any! By the way, there’s a huge sale on pro-compression socks (50% off – $25!) I’ll forward you the email!
Awesome post, and a very important point. 🙂 Right now, my life is stuck in a lot of ways because I’m looking for a job. I realize that I shouldn’t go out and spend a ton of money on things because I don’t want to blow through my savings too quickly, but I can focus on doing things that are less expensive or free.
It’s always hard when you’re looking for a job, everything feels in limbo!
This is a great post Katie! Definitely makes you think!
Thanks, Suze!
I love this post! I frequently tell my self that when this exam is over I won’t stress eat my way through studying for the next one.
That’s definitely something I used to do! I found for me that cutting out “junk food” during finals was key – that way I wasn’t tempted to justify eating a lot of unhealthy things just because of finals
I love this post. Hmm When I beat my sugar addiction, then Ill look healthier.
For me, the best way to get over sugar cravings was to find alternatives (like fruit & stevia) and sticking to it! Also, if you avoid sugar completely for a couple weeks sometimes the cravings will just go away on their own!
I loved this post and needed a little inspiration today! 🙂
One of my big ‘when’s’ pops into my head when i am feeling blue, and it is that I will start being more confident when I lose a couple pounds. Not a good or healthy mindset, but definitely something I am working on! :)!
I think that’s one that almost all of us think about ourselves!
I LOVED that podcast by Jillian Michaels, it really struck a chord with me too…I think we all kind of live that way, and for me, money is something I often think is in the way of me getting to do the things I want. After listening to that podcast though, I realized it’s often just an excuse I use to hide other factors…great post, girl!
I think I’m the same way – I use money as an excuse to not try something new or find a way to make it happen for less $$.
enough is such a common theme with people including myself, like I need to be better than what I am now which is so false. I am glad you are breaking this down for yourself
Thanks, Alex. I agree, I think most people feel like they aren’t good enough.
Awesome post Katie! I couldn’t agree more here. It’s easy to put things off for when something else happens, especially when it goes out of our comfort zones. However, we need to get on it and do it NOW!
Very true – it’s hard to jump out of our comfort zone and so easy to slap an excuse on it instead!
I love this post. Unfortunately, I think a little too much like that too. I need to accept things as is and be happy with that!
I think most of us think this way, it’s important to be aware of it!
Absolutely a beautiful and thoughtful post Katie… I never think of myself as good enough… errr ever 🙁 But we all are when we are trying our best and constantly beating ourselves does NATHINNNN positive
I think most of us rarely feel “good enough” it’s important to remind yourself every day that we ARE good enough because we are doing our best.
Love this post! I’m definitely prone to thinking that way too and it’s so ridiculous. I think part of the reason I do is because I think I’m in a transitory part of my life but even if I am, it doesn’t mean I can’t start doing the things that I want to do!
I’m in the same boat – I feel like I’m waiting for my “real life” to start but we need to focus on enjoying ourselves and our lives right now.
Seriously in love with this post. The “I’ll try intuitive eating when I lose more weight” really resonated with me. I definitely think like this very often and I need to stop!
I hope this post helps! It’s hard to convince myself to let go of “regulating” what I eat but it’s time to do it now and not wait forever!
beautiful my love just like you!
Let’s do all those things together!
YES! Activities!
I think in some instances it can be good to use that kind of thinking to motivate you (i.e.: “I really want to buy x, but I also really need to do y, so once I do y I’ll buy x”), but it’s important to not let that kind of thinking hold you back at the same time. There’s definitely a difference between goal-setting and excuse-making, and I think finding the line between those is critical to making progress and living.
Yes, it can work in that way too, but this is more the mind set of I’m not good enough right now to go for the things I want. Haha definitely not discounting things like “When I start going to yoga, then I’ll be more flexible”.
I love this. One of my biggest ones is: When I lose 10 pounds I will buy a new pair of jeans. This is ridiculous! Who cares about the number on my jeans – I realized it was more important that I was comfortable in them and felt that they were flattering!
That’s something I’ve had to get over recently – I finally went out and bought some jeans that FIT!
I really like this post! It’s very honest and makes me think. I think some of mine are more tied to the fact that my husband is in school. Like “when he graduates, I’ll study to be a personal trainer.” Or, “When he graduates and gets a job we can get a dog”. Some things, yes, are dependent on him graduating and getting a job. Others are just me making excuses.
I definitely think it’s easier sometimes to use excuses like that than it is to really address your fears/concerns about doing something out of your comfort zone.
This is SUCH a great post! I feel exactly the same way. I always thought when I’m really skinny then I’ll start eating intuitively but it just made me crazy. I’ve been trying to listen to my body and find my happy weight and it’s hard but it’s so much healthier for me. I also thought I’ll be happy when I’m in a relationship but I’ve realized I need to make my own happiness and start doing what i want NOW.
We seem to be on the same page with these issues – it’s about enjoying ourselves now! And I definitely learned that being “skinny” was not healthy for me and to find that place it’s about listening to my body and treating it well
THIS IS FANTASTIC. I listened to this podcast too & to be honest, didn’t feel like it was necessarily talking to me right now, but that was definitely be a few years ago!
But now thinking about it more, there are a few.
“When my husband has more time off, we’ll go on a trip together”
“When my house is clean I’ll invite more people over”
“When I organize my life I’ll feel more free”
“When I have more time, I’ll change my blog design…..” <–this one I REALLY am going to do asap. hah
Those are all good ones, I feel like no matter where we are in our lives we’re all putting things off for fear of failure or not being accepted
I 100% do this too. We are our own worst critics when we should be our own number one champions. Mine is usually when I save xx amount of dollars, i’ll go do this.
Very true – we really need to be better to ourselves!
Great post! I’ll share a little kind of secret with you. My when I … is …when I get my business off the ground and move to a bigger house I’ll… well I hope you can guess 🙂 A big one and as much as I would love to just do that now, several things are stopping me. But I’m working on em!
Haha I can guess!! But you are working hard on those necessary steps!
i absolutely LOVED this post! you’re quite the inspiration 🙂 i’m with ya on the intuitive eating one – i’ve always thought ‘oh that’s not for me, i’d be completely out of control with my eating’ but that’s definitely a lie.
thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
Thanks, Julianna!
This post could not be more true. I used to live my life like this! Now, I’ve realized that you can workout towards anything at any time. I really think running has played a major role in this attitude shift! 🙂
That’s great you have a better mindset!
Amazing post. It really is hard to remember that you are good enough now. I can totally relate with all of the ones that you listed. For me it’s *when my stomach finally heals, then I’ll be happy.” Totally not true. I can be happy Now!
Exactly, you can be happy now, no need to live in limbo!
Really great thought-provoking post. This is actually something that I’ve been giving quite a lot of thought to lately, mostly in terms of chasing happiness. It seems like we’re always telling ourselves “When _____, then I’ll be happy,” which is something that I’ve totally been guilty of doing my self, but lately I’ve been putting more focus into finding happiness with the things that area already in my life instead of constantly denying myself that happiness by telling myself that I’m missing something. I’m all for setting and achieving goals, but I also think it’s super important to be grateful for all the blessings in our lives, because there are so many of them.
That’s definitely something I do, thinking that I’ll be happy once something happens, but it’s all about appreciating what we have now
Definitely a great thought! I always do the “When I get more followers, I’ll reach out to more companies” thing. What’s stopping me from doing it now?
Exactly – we might as well reach out now. And if they say no, then at least we tried!
great post! this is something that i do a lot and i have really been trying to stop. i really wish you knew that you do not need to lose ANY weight. you are so so thin!
p.s…..PROUD OF YOU!!!
Thanks, Hilary!
I listened to that too! Since then, I’ve had friends over twice! Lol
I always think I’ll cut out junk when I’m less tired… Makes no sense, right! I’m going to try from today! At less cut down on junk!
I’m glad it had a great influence on you!
SUCH a great post! I love this idea. Jillian rocks (minus her crazy diet pill idea…)
Thanks, Erica!
love this post and those quotes!! We are all good enough now and worth it 🙂 Sometimes taking those leaps can be scary but also they can be worth it!
When our stomachs and body truly heals we can really start living life to the fullest!
You can live life to the fullest NOW, Don’t let anything hold you back!
Oh goodness I have had the same sort of thoughts before. I still have to remind myself to enjoy life where it is RIGHT NOW and take things day by day. Not anticipating some arbitrary future but finding fulfillment in THAT DAY. If…then…never works anyway.
Very true, if then never works, we need to focus on now!
Great point!! My “when I…” statement is: When I start posting more frequently, I’ll apply to some Fit Blog communities (Fitfluential, etc.). I should just do it now!
Go for it! You can always apply again later if it doesn’t work the first time but you’ll never know!
I can agree with this to, I have had personal experience with this battle and hear a lot of people say this in sessions too (I’m a counselor), and the stars are never going to align for us to do these “things” that we constantly put off. I am guilty for saying when I lose weight than I will look prettier, more attractive and than a guy will want to date me. Well you know what, I am attractive, pretty, and healthy now, and I am proud of how I look and act because I am doing whats right for me today, and always trying to do the “next right thing” for myself.
I’m the same way with saying when I loose weight then xy&z will happen, but we are great just was we are now!
I am totally guilty of putting things off until I’m “good enough”. Lately, I have been avoiding hot yoga (my very favourite form of exercise!), because I have gained weight and am afraid to see myself in the mirror in tight yoga clothes until I’m “fitter”. This attitude is totally counter-productive and I am going to change it starting now!
I do the same thing… I haven’t been since I was at my skinniest, which was about 15lbs ago… I haven’t gotten the courage to go back!
[…] of all, I wanted to say thank you for the great response to my post yesterday! I thought that might resonate with a lot of people, and it certainly did. Just remember to believe […]
[…] to get caught up in the perfect ideal image we’ve built up for ourselves in our heads. I read Katie’s post yesterday about how we often delay taking action and moving towards our goals by placing […]
I an struggling with the Europe/travel buddy as I type! Im searching for options, if you come up with a way to combat this problem I would love to read about it!
Haha my number one issue is money, but if I figure out the travel buddy issue I’ll let you know! I have looked into touring groups before, which might be a good option!
I love this post :). I didn’t read this before I wrote my post for today — they’re kind of similar!
I loved your post! Mentioning it in my TT tomorrow!
I love this podcast! Jillian makes so much sense sometimes (except when one of her fitness tips was to bring a fitness buddy with you on a business trip!) I focus so much on the next thing and how to make myself better for a tomorrow that never seems to come. I think mini-goals are important, but mini rewards (like living life) are just as crucial to self acceptance and fulfillment 🙂
[…] recently that I really liked, and you all seemed to as well. One of my favorites would have to be You’re Good Enough NOW. Another would have to be the post that I wrote before running the Chicago Marathon – makes me […]
This is beautiful. I recently was listening to that episode too and it was like a (loving!) smack in the face. I think you’re so strong and inspirational! I can’t wait to see how you live good enough. 🙂
Thanks, Amanda!
I really enjoyed reading this post. It is so easy for me to push things off the way you described. This was a great reminder that I am good enough now to reach some of my goals 🙂 Thanks!
You’re welcome, Katie, glad you liked it!