For years, I lived by the Monday mindset. You know the one “I’ll start Monday.” Or maybe it was the first of the month, after vacation, after the holidays, or the classic New Year’s Resolution. I convinced myself that fresh starts had to happen on fresh dates. It felt responsible, like I was planning ahead.
But what I finally realized was…that thought was keeping me stuck. It wasn’t motivation. It was a stall button I pressed on repeat and it gave me permission to continue with whatever it was I wanted to change- telling myself that I would fix it someday in the future.
The Moment It Shifted
One day, I caught myself saying it again: “Next week I’ll really get on track.” And for the first time, I didn’t just go along with it. I questioned it: Is this thought helping me, or is it just my old excuse in disguise?
That’s when it hit me. I didn’t need another “start.” I needed to raise my standards. I didn’t need to “get back on track”I needed to change the track entirely. I was done with the cycle of crash-and-restart. I wanted consistency. I wanted to expect more from myself and not in a punishing way, but in a loving, high-self-respect kind of way.
Ditching the “Start” Mindset
Now when that old thought shows up because let’s be honest, it still tries I remind myself: “I’m not starting over. I’m just living by a higher standard now.”
This doesn’t mean perfection. It means no longer negotiating with myself about the bare minimum. It means showing up for myself today, because that’s just who I am now. I eat nourishing meals because I respect my body. I go for walks because I value my energy. I make supportive choices because I don’t accept less for myself anymore.
It’s not about starting Monday it’s about shifting your identity and deciding I’m a person who takes care of herself, every day.
A Thought You Can Try
If you’ve been stuck in the “I’ll start soon” loop, here’s a simple reframe:
“I don’t need to start. This is just who I am now.”
And then follow it up with a small action that aligns with that identity. Something as simple as drinking a glass of water, getting outside for five minutes, or choosing a kind thought about yourself.
Raising your standards doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic. It’s quiet, steady, and powerful. It’s about showing up for yourself on a random Thursday afternoon, not waiting for a perfect Monday morning. It’s about living as the version of you who knows she’s worthy of feeling good not someday, but now.
You don’t need a fresh start. You need a higher standard. And you are completely capable of choosing that, today. If you want help shifting your standards in a sustainable, supportive way, I’d love to coach you through it just reach out when you’re ready.
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