| Ever feel like as soon as you’re doing really well with your health goals, sticking to habits, feeling proud, something blindsides you or you fall off track? It’s frustrating. And if you believe change and growth should progress in a straight, upward line, it can make you feel like a failure. The truth is, real growth isn’t linear. It loops, dips, spirals, and stalls. Understanding this is key to moving forward without getting stuck in shame. My Personal Experience with Linear Thinking and Emotional Eating One of the clearest ways I experienced linear thinking was with emotional eating. For a long time, stress eating was my primary way of coping. Chips, sugar, junk food, I would rely on whatever got me through the day. And it was almost never just a one-off. One day of stress eating could turn into weeks, even months. But the thing that kept me stuck wasn’t necessarily the addictive properties of the junk food (though that doesn’t help), it was really the feeling of shame underneath it and the feeling that I couldn’t break the pattern. Breaking the pattern didn’t come from willpower or discipline. It came from self-compassion, forgiveness, and finally believing I was worthy of a healthier way to cope. A major turning point for me was realizing that progress isn’t linear — setbacks are part of the process, not proof of failure or unworthiness. Why the Myth of Linear Change is So Sticky We often expect change to be predictable: “If I do X, I’ll get Y.” And when we don’t see steady progress, it’s easy to fall into black-and-white thinking — all or nothing, success or failure. The reality is messy. Change and growth have ups and downs, plateaus, detours and pauses. Expecting a straight line only sets us up for frustration. The Science of Change The Transtheoretical Model of Change (aka Stages of Change Model), developed by James O. Prochaska, Ph.D. and Carlo C. DiClemente, Ph.D., maps out how people move through changing their habits. There are six stages. Generally speaking (the actual model has specific time frames and definitions), the stages are: Precontemplation — not ready to change Contemplation — starting to consider change Preparation — making plans to make a change Action — actively changing a behavior Maintenance — keeping habits going Termination — when change is fully integrated Most people cycle through the stages, especially the middle ones, multiple times. Relapse is expected, not considered a failure. Growth in Nature Mirrors Growth in Life As some of you know, I’m a big believer that our lives aren’t separate from nature. The the way we grow isn’t seperate from nature either. Think about it. Trees bud, bloom, drop their leaves, rest, and start again in the spring, building on the growth from the previous year. Rivers meander. Even our bodies — sleep, hormones, energy levels — rise and fall in rhythms. Our habits, our growth, our lives follow the same patterns. There are bursts, pauses, and setbacks. And these pauses aren’t just inevitable — they’re actually helpful. They give us time to reflect, adjust, and build resilience. Practical Ways to Work With Nonlinear Change Here are a few strategies to navigate the ups and downs: 1. Reframe setbacks. Instead of thinking “I failed again,” try, “I’m starting again, with what I’ve learned.” 2. Track patterns, not perfection. Notice what supports you and what tends to derail you. Awareness is the first step to real change. 3. Plan for disruptions. Life will throw curveballs. Have a small “re-entry ritual” to reset. For me, it’s flopping onto a yoga mat in child’s pose for 30 seconds – usually a few tears and letting go, then I’m reset. 4. Celebrate the return. Every time you get back to your healthy habits, that’s a win. The comeback is part of the work. Becoming the person you want to be doesn’t follow a straight line. And that’s good news. You don’t need to be perfect to keep growing. You can stumble, hit a dip, and still move forward. Next time you slip off track, remember: it’s not failure. It’s part of the rhythm of real change. Each pause and setback is just another step on your journey. |
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Working with me means you’ll have a supportive partner who sees you as the expert of your own life. I’ll help you uncover your strengths, quiet the self-doubt, and build habits that actually stick.
Our sessions are collaborative and non-judgmental, designed to meet you where you are and move you toward the changes that matter most to you—whether that’s managing stress, boosting your energy, creating more balance in your day-to-day, or building routines that support you instead of overwhelm you.
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3-Month Coaching Package
Space for real transformation—without the overwhelm.
What’s Included:
✨ Six 30-minute Coaching Sessions (bi-weekly)
Deep, spacious sessions where we explore your strengths and your “why” as well as what’s working, what’s not, and where you want to go. You’ll leave each session with clear next steps and practices that feel doable.
✨ Ongoing Support Between Sessions
Access to me via email for check-ins, accountability, and encouragement when you need it most.
✨ Personalized Resources and Tools
Curated recommendations just for you—whether that’s mindset exercises, journal prompts, recipes, movement suggestions, or stress-reducing techniques—so you’re supported between sessions.
✨ A Holistic Approach Rooted in Both Science and Traditional Wisdom-Based Practices
We’ll draw from behavior change science, mindfulness, intuitive practices, and more to create meaningful, lasting change.
Health & Wellness Coaching with Me is for You if:
- You’re tired of feeling tired—and ready for more energy and clarity
- You’ve tried making lifestyle changes but can’t seem to make them stick
- You want support that goes deeper than surface-level advice
- You’re craving sustainable habits that feel nourishing, not punishing
- You’re ready to reconnect with your own inner wisdom and build trust in yourself again
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