On Doing Something Instead of Everything

Well, honestly, the problem isn’t laziness. It’s all-or-nothing thinking. That quiet belief that if we can’t do something perfectly, it’s not worth starting at all. If it’s not a full workout, why bother. If the house won’t be completely clean, why start. If the day already went sideways, nutrition can wait until tomorrow. Most of us didn’t choose this mindset, but it shows up everywhere.

What we’re rarely taught is that progress doesn’t come from perfect conditions. It’s built through imperfect, partial, sometimes inconvenient steps. Waiting for more energy, more motivation, or a magically open schedule is usually a losing strategy. That moment rarely arrives, and when it does, it doesn’t stay long enough to carry real change.

This is where things begin to soften. We stop asking ourselves to do everything and start asking ourselves to do something. One small, contained action. One decision that future you will quietly appreciate.

You don’t need a big overhaul. You need one supportive choice.

What can you do about it TODAY?

Time boxing can help here. Set a short timer and give yourself permission to stop when it ends. Fold laundry for five minutes. Move your body for ten. Prep one ingredient instead of the whole meal. When the timer goes off, you’re done. No guilt. No bargaining. Just clarity.

Social media hasn’t helped. We see transformations compressed into minutes and routines that look effortless and aesthetic, but we don’t see the months of stopping and starting or the life happening in between. Change isn’t cinematic. It’s cumulative. January isn’t about reinventing yourself. It’s about choosing one thing that would feel lighter or more supportive. Pick one place where you want more ease, set a short timer, and begin before your mind talks you out of it. That’s how progress happens. Quietly, imperfectly, and over time.

I’m rooting for you.

Dr. Stephanie.