17 days after the new year isn’t too late.
So, to be honest I am kind of weird when it comes to starting new things. I will wait around to start things or end things on a multiple of 5, whether that is work, a challenge, or homework (but let's be real that one is an excuse to keep watching Netflix). So, January is a beautiful month for me, it is a blanket of untouched snow just waiting for me to blaze a trail.
Now as great as it would be to stomp my footprints onto this metaphorical blanket of snow I am also a procrastinator. So, a few days before New Year's I rashly made a decision to cut myself off sugar and then failed to stick it out the full 21 days. So, on day 13 I quit about a week to go and was a few days away from a multiple of 5... now we are two days past the 15th and three days away from the 20th and I can't help but laugh at how wrapped up I am in the day versus the action.
I am not sure if you are like me, but when it comes to the beginning of new things I become caught up in the wrong things. I become so focused on the date, time, or vibes of the day that I am starting. This means that the action that is supposed to be accomplished at the perfect moment has been neglected. And to be very honest my entire year can end up being just that, a bunch of not really thought out plans starting on the perfect days.
Now, I am trying to be careful to not give you "10 quick tips on how to have a better 2019", but I guess I'm going to be giving tips...
(cliche tip #1 coming at ya): The best time to start is right now
You may have missed January 1st, but that day sadly does not have any magical powers. In fact, the beginning of the year just happens to be that day because somebody said it, but what about your birthday, Chinese New Year's, or the OG NYD April 1st? Don't let time stop you (unless there is a really good reason like you have to wait to talk to your doctor or you want to wean yourself off of sugar instead of cut it off cold turkey).
Have you thought through why?
Y'all, "why" is such an important word. If any of you know Brian Burns you'll know why, and why is so important. However, if you haven't had the honor lemme just say, to know your why is to have a clear path on the reason you're doing something and have the best way to accomplish this goal. So, figure out why you're doing what you're doing.
Make a plan
Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. Even if that's just planning to not give up. Your plan doesn't have to be super drawn out, but you do need to know what you are going to do. Just don't plan to eat a ton of sugar after you quit detoxing on sugar because you might as well quit right then and there (that's what I did).
When you quit on day 13 feel free to reevaluate, edit, and then start back on day 17
So, if you follow me on Insta you saw my fatal fall from my Sugar Detox (or 13 days of misery as I am now calling it). It started with wavering due to being done with eating brussel sprouts and then followed with trying again. Then I finally gave up and ate three spoonfuls of ice cream before I was kind of sick. However, what I didn't explain super well on social media was that I wasn't quite quitting as I was making it realistic. Y'all I love dessert, and I don't want to give up enjoying that one part of life because of some dumb detox. Now what I can say is that this detox has taught me to appreciate brussel sprouts and other veggies and I don't have to snack on desserts. So, that's what I am starting today.
(last tip because this is tip 5 and I still love multiples of 5) Bring friends along.
So, my new goal is to just make healthy life choices, which include sleeping at better times, watching less Netflix, and eating more veggies. My friend was waiting outside my apartment at 5:55 to get to the gym I didn't skip leg day. Having somebody on your side to encourage you and do it with you is so very important. It's easy to talk yourself into a reasonable reason why the gym is not important, but it isn't as easy when you have a friend outside waiting on you.
So, it's January and this month has a renewal/new-new vibe. Don't be like me and get caught up in the really small things that don't matter. Instead, remember this year has so much potential for you to get things done. Just know what you want to get done, plan for it, and do it.