Getting Out of Your Own Way

Overcoming excuses, procrastination, and the stories that keep you stuck

Let’s be honest — we’re all guilty of it at some point. We say we want something (to feel healthier, to have more energy, to finally make time for ourselves)… but then we don’t do the thing. We procrastinate. We make excuses. We get in our own way.

And I say this with love — because I’ve been there too.

For the past year, I’ve been on a mission to reclaim my health, strength, and confidence after having two kids. But this didn’t start with some perfect, glamorous transformation. It started with me feeling rubbish — tired, low on energy, and frustrated that I couldn’t shift the weight or get my spark back.

What changed everything? Getting honest about the excuses I was making and taking full ownership of the habits I was (or wasn’t) prioritising.

The Excuses We Tell Ourselves

Let’s call them out, shall we?

• I don’t have time.

• I’m too tired.

• My kids come first.

• I can’t afford it.

• It’s too late for me.

These are the kinds of things we tell ourselves to stay comfortable. But deep down, they’re just stories. And while they feel valid, they often keep us stuck in patterns that don’t serve us.

You do have time — it’s just a matter of what you’re prioritising. You can afford to move your body — even if it’s just going for a walk. You aren’t too tired — you’re probably just disconnected from what lights you up. And it’s never too late to start feeling good again.

The Procrastination Traps

Procrastination doesn’t always look lazy. Sometimes it looks like being “too busy” — overcommitting, saying yes to everyone but yourself, or numbing out on social media and Netflix when you’re exhausted.

It’s sneaky. But if you zoom out, you’ll see a pattern.

One powerful mindset shift is recognising that every choice is a vote for the life you’re creating. So if you’re constantly choosing distractions over action, that’s a sign something needs to shift.

Mindset Hacks That Actually Help

Here are some of the simple things I started doing that made a massive difference:

• Lay your workout clothes out the night before so there’s one less decision to make.

• Use the ClearSpace app to limit how often you open distracting apps like Instagram or TikTok. (It even gets you to breathe before unlocking them — annoying at first, but so good!)

• Set a goal and connect with it emotionally. Mine? To feel the fittest, healthiest, and most confident I’ve ever been by the time I turn 40.

• Visualise your why. I picture myself dancing in a sparkly dress at my 40th birthday party, feeling strong, radiant, and proud of myself. That image pulls me forward every day.

The Power of Starting Small

If going all-in feels overwhelming, don’t. Start small.

• Two early morning workouts a week.

• Swapping one processed meal for something nourishing.

• Choosing yoga or stretching on the low-energy days.

Even a 15-minute walk counts. What matters is that you’re showing up for yourself. That builds momentum — and momentum builds self-trust.

Understanding What’s Really Going On

Often, what’s stopping us isn’t the workout. It’s what the workout represents.

• Fear of failure: “What if I start and don’t stick to it?”

• Fear of success: “What if I actually change — and it affects my relationships?”

• Fear of judgement or jealousy: “What will my friends say if I start looking after myself?”

• Not feeling supported: “What if no one else gets it?”

These are deep-rooted blocks — but when you acknowledge them, they lose their power.

The truth? You can belong and still grow. You can thrive and still be loved. You can make a change, even if no one else around you is doing the same.

Planning & Accountability

Here’s where things get practical:

• Set a start date (one that sets you up for success — not the night before a birthday party or when life is chaotic).

• Prep your environment so it reflects your new priorities (clean the kitchen, stock the fridge, get rid of distractions).

• Tell your partner or a friend what you’re doing — ask for support or simply to check in with you.

• Use a planner or fridge calendar to schedule your workouts and meals like appointments.

The more intentional you are, the easier it becomes to stick to.

Rebuilding Self-Trust Through Action

The real transformation happens when you start showing up for yourself consistently.

Each time you follow through on what you said you’d do — even when it’s uncomfortable — you send yourself a powerful message:
I can trust myself.
I’ve got my own back.
I can do hard things.

And that is where confidence comes from. Not from how your jeans fit or what the scales say — but from the pride of knowing you didn’t give up on yourself.

Final Thoughts

If this is resonating, maybe today is the day you choose a new way forward.

Not by overhauling everything. But by choosing one small thing:
👉 A date to begin.
👉 A goal that excites you.
👉 A plan that feels doable.

And then? You start.

You deserve to feel energised, strong, connected, and proud of yourself. You are not too busy, too far gone, or too late.
You just need to get out of your own way — and begin.