It's extremely normal to have a little 'tug of war' with yourself when adjusting long term lifestyle choices.

Creating a new habit is like trying to create a new pathway in a field of long grass.

When we want to cross the field, if there's already a well-trodden pathway we're naturally going to want to take the 'easier route'.

But what if the 'easier route' leads to a less desirable place?

Is this what you want in your life? Or would forging a new pathway in the long grass be better for you in the long-term (despite the more difficult start)?
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​Let's visualise and put some context to this scenario...

Imagine you have a clear pathway to your left that runs from your house to a boggy marshland half a mile away. It’s the only path you can follow, although the end goal isn't desirable to you. There’s not much you can gain from a boggy marshland. 

In the distance to the right you can see a beautiful cherry tree, but there’s long thick grass in the way. You’re often too busy or tired to think of how you could possibly get there.

One day you decide that the boggy marsh has become too unbearable and is no longer worth your efforts. You decide to plan a way to reach the beautiful cherry tree. 

You find some tools that would help chop the grass. You plan your day to ensure you have time and you see if you have any friends or family that could support you in creating a new pathway to the cherry tree.

Day by day you begin to cut down the grass, sometimes on your own and sometimes with the support of others. Somedays you're too tired or busy, so you leave it for a few days. But you keep chipping away, and it starts to feel like part of your new daily routine to put energy into creating a better pathway.

It can be very tempting to look across at the pathway to the boggy marshland and think "maybe I’ll just go back and walk the path well trodden, after all, it’s so much easier, and I’m tired... although I know the outcome isn't so good" 

One day, as you look back to your old pathway, you notice the grass has grown and the path is less visible. 

Eventually with time, patience, support, and the right tools, you make it to the cherry tree!  

You might not have walked everyday to get there. Some days you enjoyed building the path with friends, other days you worked on your own.

Now you look back to the old pathway and see it's completely overgrown. You can't get to the boggy marsh anymore. Your new pathway is effortless to walk down.