It’s time to reconnect with your WHY

I heard about a study a while ago about how much of a difference having a purpose can make in our lives.

I've known this for a long time, especially after watching several people I know (and others I've heard/read about) who retired and didn't have enough motivation to stay active/involved in enriching activities to have a happy time of it. And honestly, it has been on my mind even more since I listened to that.

This post is for everyone....but...

If you’re a mom buried by your family's schedules and you're having trouble keeping up with your own habits and mental health/life purpose... pay extra close attention…

The finding: when you carry a strong purpose in life (and those purposes can change often throughout your lifespan, depending on a lot of factors), everything seems easier.

In a study, two groups of subjects were asked to carry a 25-lb (11.35 kg) backpack up a steep ramp:

1️⃣ One group in the study was told the backpack contained something important 

2️⃣ The other group was told it was just dead weight, nothing worth note

I bet you can already guess what happened: The “important stuff” group performed better and actaully said the burden felt easier than the “dead weight” group.

Why?

Because their effort had PURPOSE.

Even though they didn't know exactly what was actually in the backpack, when they had a “WHY” for doing it… a “why” that felt compelling and meaningful for them… their actions didn’t feel like so much of a burden.

They felt important.

That translates to all of us.

So if you’ve been struggling to say “no” to those cookies every afternoon when you'r kids are having a snack, it’s time to reconnect with your WHY.

Unlike the common purpose told to the members of the study, each of our "whys" are different, and can and should be adjusted as factors change. Yours may also fall into more than one category, but can often be boiled down to one "big why."

So what's your "why?" Do you want to lose those last few pounds and improve your blood work? Build up your energy levels so you don’t feel wiped out every night after work? Maybe you're looking to boost your long-term health so you can keep doing the things you love (with your kids?) for years to come?

Here’s how to use your why in your daily practice:

1. Put it in writing. Really think through your purpose. You might actually already know what it is right off the top of your head. It should be something that lights a fire inside of you. It gives you a feeling of excitement or motivation without even putting in a lot of energy.

"I’m _______so I can _______."

Why do you want to replace foods that aren’t serving your goals? Think about it that way, and find a big reason that really gets you excited!

(Want a little inspiration? Watch this video from a few years ago, but consider yourself warned, you might get dust in your eyes!)

2. Remind yourself often. When you feel your motivation start to fade (because it will), try visualizing something related to your purpose and repeat it to yourself before you begin (...for example...there are many visualizing and "manifesting" exercises you can use).

3. Tie it closely to your bigger picture. Each workout isn’t just about today. It’s about what you’re building toward.

When you use this approach, it won't feel so much like work. Just like the backpack in that study, you’ll no longer feel like you're just carrying around “dead weight.” You’ll be carrying something important to you.

Because when your habits feel important, consistency takes on a whole new menaing.

P.S. I specialize in helping busy momsfeel focused, determined, fit, and stronger than ever through simple lifestyle tweaks that actually work with your busy life, without weighing it down with extra stresses. Sound good? Let’s talk!

And if you're feeling like the habits are shaping up but some tracking tools would help you even more, my Habit Tracking Journal is ready for you on Amazon and via digital download on Etsy!