Have you ever avoided grocery shopping so long that you open your fridge and find it packed with styrofoam containers of leftovers; most unhealthy choices you didn't even enjoy? It starts with skipping one errand; then, suddenly, you're relying on takeout more than you'd like, feeling sluggish and entirely out of sync with the routines that make you feel good. This is a prime example of how breaking the cycle of perfectionism can make all the difference.
Evading small responsibilities, whether working out, staying organized, or sticking to habits that keep us feeling our best; creates a domino effect on our well-being. I've been there. Between juggling work, family, and responsibilities, I often neglect my self-care. There have been times when I promised myself I'd get back to working out, only to push it off for another day… then another week all due to it can't be done in my perfectionism parameters. The same applies to staying organized; letting things slide when life gets overwhelming is easy. But I've learned that waiting for the "perfect time" keeps us stuck.
I love reading, and hardly a book has stuck with me as much as Finish by Jon Acuff. This book highlights one of the biggest roadblocks to progress: perfectionism. Many of us believe it's not worth doing something if we can't do it perfectly. But that keeps us stuck in a cycle of starting and stopping, never making the desired progress.
One of the most liberating ideas from Finish is this: You always have the next day to start again. It may sound simple, but it's a powerful mindset shift. Instead of beating yourself up for not completing everything perfectly, you can accept that progress happens in small, imperfect steps. Life is full of unpredictable moments, but success isn't about perfectionism and never messing up; it's about not letting a bad day turn into a bad week, month, or year.
Think about the last time you abandoned a goal because you missed a day or didn't meet your expectations. What if you picked up where you left off instead of quitting? Imagine how much more you'd accomplish if you let go of the all-or-nothing mentality.
This lesson applies perfectly to getting back on track with good habits. Instead of feeling guilty about the past, start by making a simple change, like clearing out all those styrofoam containers from your fridge. It's a small yet powerful action that symbolizes a fresh start. From there, take the next step: stocking your kitchen with nourishing foods, setting out your workout gear, or organizing one small area of your home.
Good habits aren't built overnight and don't have to be perfect. How about making a home-cooked meal today instead of ordering takeout or going for a 10-minute walk instead of an intense workout? The key is to start. And tomorrow, you can build on that progress. For instance, you could add a new vegetable to your meal or extend your walk by a few minutes. The point is to make progress, no matter how small.
Deep down, you already know what needs your attention. That little voice telling you your fridge is overflowing with food leftovers you don't even want? It's the same voice reminding you that your body craves movement, that your home feels better when it is under control and organized, and that your mind functions best when it is not drowning in chaos. The key isn't just hearing it; it's acting on it, one small step at a time.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed by everything you should be doing, pick one thing and start there. Maybe you clean out your fridge today and make space for fresh, healthy food. Maybe you take five minutes to stretch or go for a short walk. Maybe you tackle that one small pile of papers that's been stressing you out. Each action is a step in the right direction, and each step makes the next one easier.
Change doesn't come from grand, sweeping gestures, but it comes from consistent, intentional choices. The more you practice listening to your inner voice and responding with action, the easier it becomes to stay on track and build habits that genuinely serve you.
Whether you're working toward an organized home, better time management, or simply breaking free from the cycle of procrastination, remember that every day is a chance to start fresh. You don't need permission to begin again. The real success lies in continuing despite the bumps along the way, and each new day brings a fresh opportunity to make progress.
So, what's one small thing you can do today to move forward? It doesn't have to be perfect; it just has to be something. And if today doesn't go as planned, there's always tomorrow. I'd love to hear about your small steps or progress in the comments below. Sharing your journey can inspire others and remind you of how far you've come.
Are you struggling with organization and don't know where to start? Let's chat! Book a consultation, and together, we'll create a system that works for you: one step at a time.