Why "All or Nothing" Thinking Sabotages Your Wellness Goals
There is no beautifully lit path leading you to your desired habits. After nearly 40 years of teaching movement I have learned: the biggest obstacle to consistency isn't time, motivation, or even physical limitations. It's the belief that if you can't do it perfectly, you shouldn't do it at all. Take a moment right now and ask yourself, “Is this me?”
I see this pattern constantly. Someone misses Monday's class and decides the whole week is a wash. Another person starts an ambitious new routine, burns out in three weeks, and feels like a failure. Or someone skips their stretch because " I don’t have a full hour, and ten minutes doesn't really count."
I get it. I've been there myself—this can happen with many habits we try to build. And here's what changed everything for me: I learned how aiming for 100% activates the shame cycle and self-sabotage.
My goal is 80% consistency. That's it. Not perfection. Not "never miss twice." Just a solid B+ that I can actually sustain.
You've probably heard advice like "never miss twice" from popular habit books. And for some people, that works. But for many of us—including me—that framing still feels like a setup for failure. One slip becomes two, shame kicks in, maybe it’s companion overwhelm, and suddenly you're starting over from scratch four months later.
Eighty percent, though? That's breathing room. That's life happening without derailing your progress. That’s the kindness you deserve.
Here are examples of how to reframe those common traps:
Missed Monday? You still have plenty more opportunities for classes this week. One absence doesn't erase the others. Register for your next one now!
Burned out on your new routine? Scale back to what's sustainable. Consistency at a lower intensity beats sporadic bursts of ambition.
Only have ten minutes? Ten minutes of stretching or strengthening is infinitely more valuable than zero. Your body doesn't know you "should" be doing more. Motion is lotion!
Can you think of more that apply to you and your own inner scripts? The path to lasting change isn't paved with perfect streaks or a full 30 X marks on a wall calendar. It's built on showing up more often than you don't—and being kind to yourself when you can't.
Ready to build sustainable habits with support and practical strategies? Join me for "2026 Is Your Year: A Practical Workshop for Lasting Change" on January 1st, explore the Wellbeing Blueprint Retreat in Honduras this January, or simply start with a class—new students get 3 weeks unlimited for $59 and we have multi-class discounts on our memberships.
