Do You Struggle With Consistency?
- M Hakikah Shamsideen
- Feb 26, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 1, 2023
Recently I noticed persistent stiffness in my body. Stiffness can make you feel 30 years older than you are. So, I decided to add full-body stretching to my daily routine.
Sounds good right?
Everything seems simple until you start doing it.
At first, I was so proud of myself. I started out great. Every morning, first thing, I would wake up, put on my exercise clothes, pull out my mat, and begin. When I started, 15 minutes of stretching seemed like an eternity. It was way more than I was doing before I’d go out on my walks so I was surprised when I heard the teacher say the session was over. Focusing on my body and listening to the instructions helped the time fly by. I was proud of myself for taking this on.
I finally learned to do as the instructor said, and follow what felt right to my body vs trying to do it right. All was going well.
Then my schedule changed.
That threw me off for an entire week. I keep a wellness journal and each night I’d regrettably write, “didn’t do my stretching or breath work today”.
What I found most interesting is what my mind would tell me.
“You don’t have to do it now, do it later.”
You’ve done a great job so far, you can take a day off.”
Don’t worry, sure it’s been 3 days; just start again next Monday, enjoy the weekend!”
The excuses were endless. Finally one night after I had showered and gotten into bed, tired but exasperated that yet another night was going to pass without me stretching, I flung back the covers and pulled up the video. I was still in my pajamas and my mat was downstairs. I didn’t even go get it. I had to keep my momentum. I just laid on the rug, and started the video.
While I was a little tight from those missed days, my body appreciated the love it was getting, and my mind, the same mind that encouraged me to take it easy, skipped right out to congratulate me for pushing through! *insert blank stare*
What I noticed was that not only was I not stretching, I was picking up bad habits:
I wasn’t going for my daily walks
I wasn’t drinking as much water,
I was skipping days taking my medication and supplements.
I wasn’t choosing healthy food options but grabbing whatever was easier
I had reverted to a couch potato, comfortable sitting on the couch binging Project Runway reruns with my hand in a bag of chips.
With the elimination of that one routine, I had gotten on a very slippery slope. And it only took 7 days!
What did I learn?
I learned I NEED rituals, routines, and habits in order for my life to run optimally.
Back in the day, in all things, I could wing it and catch up easily.
In midlife, I have to be conscientious, and intentional.
I remembered what the instructor said, “Check in with your body. Focus on what feels right to your body, not on doing it ‘right’”
I prayed and asked God to sustain me for those 15 minutes
God did!
Dear reader, I did it! In my pjs without the fancy mat or outfit, without my cute water bottle with lemon water. Just me.
And I did it the next day and the next.
And you know what?! Each time it became easier to show up for me.
This is the power of ritual, routine, habits, and consistency.
It’s not throwing in the towel when it gets hard, or when it gets easy, but showing up every day, day in and day out.
Even when you don't feel like it.
It's not that the hard thing gets any easier. we get stronger.
Of course, my mind being what it is, I started thinking, “hey, I’m doing great! Why don’t I graduate to the 30-minute stretch.” Thankfully I quickly realized I needed to master the small things first. My body, not my mind, will let me know when it’s time to move forward.
So many of us desire closer relationships with God. Also:
We want to lives of deep purpose and meaning.
We want good relationships.
We want healthy bodies and prosperous careers or businesses.
But few of us want to commit to consistent disciplines to get there.
For example, just like any other relationship, to have a closer relationship with God, you must commit to showing up. You must spend time in study, prayer, and meditation consistently, even though you'd rather get in another 40 winks.
Show up, especially when you don't really FEEL like it. It is in the consistency of seeking God e that you actually find God. (Jeremiah 29:13).
Or you want to have good, healthy friendships. But you rarely extend yourself by calling first or showing up when invited. You opt for your comfort over the relationship you say you want. Plus, you'd rather watch Netflix instead.
You want a purposeful, healthy life, but you're not willing to commit to the exercise plan or healthy eating because it's not always convenient.
I'm here to encourage you today.
It’s been proven to me that rituals, routines and habits are necessary to me. When I was younger, I would just wing it and let that chips fall where they may. However with age, comes hopefully wisdom. And wisdom means knowing what works.
When I get up an hour earlier to get my wellness routine started, do I love it? Ab-so-lute-ly not.
But I know on the other side of me committing to my rituals and routines is the life I said I want.
I selected 7 of my foundational rituals:
Still Your Mind
Write The Vision
Self Anointing
Moving Your Body
Making Your Bed
Immersion (Bathing)
Relaxation/Sabbath Rest
Every time I keep my word to myself and consistently complete these simple practices, I develop the muscles I need to accomplish anything I desire.
If you want to develop the habit of consistency and discipline, while joining a strong community of like-minded sisters to grow with, I'd love for you to join my community, the She Collective, and the Wholly Holy Renewal. We will welcome you with open arms.
Whatever it is you decide to do, whether in the community or on your own, I want you to commit to consistency. It is the power of not giving up - even when you easily could - that can transform your life for the better.
What is it that you won't give up on today?
Real change is on the other side of that decision.
Ki—-
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