Day 33, A Plan for the Different and Difficult Days

I have this pattern, you might too. During the work week I do great. I eat what I plan, I workout, I stick to a routine that I have learned keeps my heart happy and my body energized. However, there are days that this routine simply cannot be part of. We might go visit family or have a doctor appointment that requires travel. The girls might be sick or there might be school even to attend. 

What often happens when we are developing habits, is we simply write those days off. We say we couldn't do it and we shrug and then do whatever we want instead. However, this not only isn’t a necessary reaction, it also is a limiting belief. 

A limiting belief is something you think that prevents  you from moving or growing forward. I want you to challenge the idea that you can’t continue with your good habit changes when you are in different circumstances. For example, I might say that when I visit family, I have no control over what I end up eating. However, that isn’t 100% true. Think about it. I still get to decide how much I eat and I might even get to pick what goes on my plate. Therefor, I actually still have a lot of control over what I eat when I visit family. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1, ASV, states, For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. There are going to be days that we do different things, see different people, and are exposed to different challenges. However, we can still show up as the person we are maturing into. 

Okay, if you find that a different kind of day sets you up for not following through with your habit change, I want you to follow these steps. 

1. Identify the limiting belief. What do you believe that is keeping you from following through?
2. Decide to believe something else, finding what agency or power you have in the situation that will allow you to make the decision you want to make for yourself. 
3. Try out some new practices for these special days and figure out ways to show up that will help you be successful. 

I pray that you continue to grow forward, testing your strength and determination even on the most unusual days. 

Journal prompt: What is your limiting belief around days you have that are out of routine for you? What could you believe instead that would set you up for success? When is your next opportunity to test out this new idea? ​

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