Why does starting small seem so hard?

A lot has changed after I put on those running shoes.

I had decided to test a thought that when you repeat something 21 times it helps you to form a habit.

And there I was after several failed attempts to change my lifestyle in the area of moving my body constantly, but now filled with curiosity.

What would happen if I tied something so small, putting on my running shoes and if it was a good day, taking some steps on those muddy dirt roads in the country side of southern Sweden.

I had the mixture of feeling disappointed at myself but also curious about the possibilities, if this new thought I heard, would actually work for me.

Before I had started running with high hopes and big ambitions, aiming to cover as many kilometres as I could.

This time I was doing the opposite.

The kilometers were not at all important, just the thought of as many repetitions of starting to run. 

For me it looked like changing into a proper running gear and then giving myself a compliment of working like that towards my goal.

Why then did starting small seem so hard?

For me it was a combination of pride and lack of belief.

My identity was so tied to me not being “athletic”.

Yet I discounted the fact that I had been moving my body in other ways.

My own thoughts were the main obstacle, really.

And the way I interpreted who I was and was not, while tying my certain actions tightly into my identity.

Why did starting small change so much then?

Because what I did, was small and easy enough for me to repeat several times and the process led me to fall in love with what running eventually made me feel.

I felt like I was free to connect with myself on a deeper level. 

I’m sharing this journey with you, because I’m passionate about encouraging you in this path of finding the pieces in your life that you’re looking for.

I believe that you can start small.

And that it is not as hard as it seems, but actually simple and profound.

It is like a small investment in yourself that will pay off over time abundantly.

When you hit that small repetition road, write down to your phone, how many repetitions you have done.

And celebrate all of them.

Even the hardest days, when you were only able to prepare yourself for the activity you’re repeating, and that was it.

All those small physical efforts when repeated can interpret it to your mind, that this is actually who you are, like they did for me.

If you just put out the work.

I experienced it, as I started small. 

Even when hard times came and I paused my small repetitions, I was able to start over, because the task I gave myself was so easy and yet so important for me.

What task are you giving yourself?

Is it small enough that it feels easy on any given day?

Have joy in the process and let curiosity lead you along the way.