Pro-Tips for Making a Fresh Start without Feeling Guilty

 Change can be hard for many reasons. First off, the actions needed to make change can be challenging and cause some initial discomfort. Friends and family might not be supportive or on-board with your decisions and that can sting. Changing might require you to modify your behavior or prioritize yourself in new ways...self-care is NOT selfish, and if you’re not careful, guilt could derail your progress.

 Signs of guilt include:

• Talking yourself out of your new plans
• Feeling bad when taking time for yourself
• Sabotaging your efforts to change

 Sometimes there are growing pains that come for everyone involved when trying to make a fresh start. The people in your sphere of influence may not have the desire to be healthier or make changes. That doesn’t have to mean that there’s no hope. You can take specific actions to tackle the guilt that can come from making change. 

 Check out these Pro-Tips:

 Pro-Tip #1. Give Fair Warning. When you have decided to make a fresh start, give those who may be directly affected fair warning. If your changes will affect the family unit, have a family meeting and share what changes you are about to make. Put together the new "norms" so that everyone understands. Set out your expectations and do what you need to do to make certain everyone is fully aware of your intentions. If your changes will happen in your workplace or any communities you are involved in, make a genuine effort to share your plans so people won’t be blindsided.

 Pro-Tip #2. Be Consistent. Water seeks the path of least resistance. If you are managing people in your life who aren’t on-board with your plans, they will do what they can to try to get you off track. The more consistent you are with your plans, routines, and actions day-to-day, the more likely they will see that you are serious and won’t be deterred from your plans. It's also important to maintain your new rituals consistently; for example, if you are going to exercise daily, then exercise daily...don't make excuses or talk yourself out of it when you don't feel like it or you don't have energy or time. It is better to be consistent, even if you only exercise for ten minutes instead of 45 minutes than to not do it at all. Sabotage will be replaced with respect if you stick to your plans and aren’t wishy-washy. Be consistent and as Nike says, "Just do it."

 Pro-Tip #3. Share Your Enthusiasm and Gratitude. The more you show how determined, excited, and committed you are to change, the more those in your sphere will get on-board. You may even inspire them to make a fresh start somewhere. Be verbal about your achievements as you see the changes coming from your fresh start. Be grateful for any sacrifices that your friends, family, or co-workers may be making and share the gratitude as often as possible. The more you spread the love, the harder it is to stop the momentum. Enthusiasm is just as contagious as boredom, so make sure to keep yourself energized and inspired.

 You shouldn't feel guilty when you want a fresh start. Sometimes the feelings are tied to dysfunction that will be cured by making positive changes. Have faith, stay the course, and don’t lose sight of the goals.

A bonus tip: Start a gratitude journal. One of the exercises in our ecourse, Developing a Gratitude Practice, is to maintain a gratitude journal. Each day before bed, list five things you are grateful for that you discovered during your day. This was a powerful exercise for me when I was experiencing health problems and didn't want to even get out of bed in the morning, but I did...I did because I made a commitment to finding five things for my journal each day.

Here's an affiliate link to the TUL journal system I use:

Making positive changes in your life, practicing self-care strategies, and strengthening your powers of gratitude, forgiveness and self-confidence will enrich your life beyond measure. And, in this way, you are on the PATH of Designing an Intentional Life.

Don't forget to visit the Facebook group and share your comments. Also, if you have a friend that could benefit from a REBOOT For A FRESH START, please invite them to participate with us. It's important that they register with the official link to qualify for the emails and bonuses.

Cheers!

Lisa