Build Me Up, Buttercup

Self Help with Follow Through

In a month, a lot of people will be thinking or talking about New Year's resolutions and I know a great portion of those are made with good and solid intent... and end up being forgotten part of the way through. Even beyond this, I know I have an issue following through with plans because life gets busy or I lose all motivation - I've even gotten to the point where words really don't mean anything to me until they are followed through with actions.

There are some things I have noticed that I feel I should take note of to build a foundation on in the future, and possibly help and get help from others on what we feel works and doesn't work for us.

What I Do

• When I am able to get support, I am much more likely to follow through with something because it is an obligation I feel to meet others' standards where as I'm too relaxed with my own.

How It Affects Me

• This works for me until I no longer have support and I realize I was simply using it as a crutch.

How I Can Develop From It

• It is only when I'm taking baby steps that I learn I can do things for myself. If I'm too gungho, I'll give it my all and eventually lose interest - but if I take it easy and do things at my own pace in a way I can manage on my own, I can build myself up to the point where something isn't an issue anymore or is easier managed (as some things simply can't be fixed, like mental disorders).

I realize that if I can have a swift and necessary kick in the arse while still being able to build myself up in ways I effectively learn to be manageable. I'll add more to this later.

I know how you feel. My resolution is always to lose weight. Not just around New Years but just in general. I start off really well but I love chocolate. Don't get me wrong I love salad and things too. But then when it comes to excersize...I fall flat. I used to go to the gym like three days a week back in high school and it would just melt off! But with the depression I can't even seem to leave the house most of the time. That and the endless amount of self hatred. It's always, "I'm too ugly! I can't go out looking like THIS! "

In addition to which I just have no desire to do anything anymore. I got called pretty yesterday which made me super happy. So that encourages me to go outside more often when in the few times I manage to I have a good experience. I am proud of myself for making the effort and will keep trying to encourage and remind myself I am doing well. A large part of me failing with endevours comes from thinking the small steps are never good enough so why even bother? But the truth is; little changes lead to bigger ones.

They are the foundation and steping stones that lead to bigger ones. I can't keep putting myself down and thinking it's never good enough. So many times I tell myself how the things I do are never good enough just to be slapped in the face with the fact that I'm doing too much, over working, over thinking, and no one had expected any of that from me to begin with. I can't even accept a compliment. I've been told how good I do at something, how much something I have done is appreciated, or how much someone admires me...All the while I respond with something, "modest" like, "all I do is bang pots and pans around LULZ!" But I really feel like I do nothing. That isn't me being graceful about it. This needs to stop and acknowledging that this problem exists is the first start to overcoming it.

I can relate all to well with both of you.

Suffering from Cronic Depression and Anorexia ( back in the days ), it was horrible for me to do anything really. I didn't want to go to school; didn't want to go out; go to the gym; anything. I just had this really awful imagine of myself and i didn't understand at the time that all i was doing was making it worse and worse. It was a huge struggle since i had literally no one to help me or know that i was that sick. It's really hard to do anything when you're all alone and have no support and plus having a terrible image of yourself.

The first step is so hard, it takes every strength you have, no kidding! But i tell you this, once you break it, hoh you will be so happy! It's hard, i know, but if a person like me survived it all alone, then anyone can really! People don't know how important a compliment is to a depressed person, it's like the best!

Support is everything! It's like in the movie " Matilda " where Bruce gave up on eating that giant cake, but when the whole school screamed his name and supported him with everything they had, he did it easy peazy! But don't live your life based on other's support, support yourself, that's the most important thing!

I'm doing stuff in a slightly higher capacity today and I am happy. c:

Also I was reading a really great quote

Replace apologies with gratitude. Instead of "I'm sorry I'm late," say, "Thanks for waiting for me." It really makes all the difference because you and everyone around you gets to see a more positive reinforcement.

I tried it out, and while I'm still getting used to it, it actually makes a difference. Also damn, I didn't realize I was as apologetic as I was.

That's actually a really smart idea. It's a way of not blaming yourself and beating yourself up over the little things but rather showing your appreciation for their action. Small changes like this are very helpful. It's like if you hear or tell yourself something every single day until you believe it. This can be worked to your advantage rather than a disadvantage. Nicely done!

I've never made any resolutions but after this year's hard work finally paid off, I'd like to devote more time to devotional work. I need to keep up my reading and hard work,which is going to easy to slack. I've found in other goals I definitely need a buddy to pace with. I get burnt out on stuff too,baby steps is the key... As far developing from it,yeah. My Mama always said "shoot for the moon and you'll always land in the stars" which I take as you always gain something......

I looove this post because I can relate on so many levels. I often feel I am most motivated when others are aware and supportive of whatever it is I'm trying to achieve. I tend to announce my resolutions, oath them, or make them public so that it prompts me to follow through with them. I dislike going back on my word, so telling someone I will do x, y, and z helps me to feel obligated to do what I said.

I'm proud to say I have lost a few pounds. Not much but every bit helps. I've been excercising at least once if not twice a week. Not just the treadmil but every machine in my tiny apartment gym lol. My legs feel a lot stronger already. By the time I am done every time I am out of breath, drenched in sweat, and a little dizy. I just lay there on the floor for a few minutes before heading upstairs to shower off the grossness.

I've also been eating and drinking better. I'm trying to have at least half to a full gallon of water a day. By health standards you're supposed to have like eight cups a day which is equal to a gallon. I've also been drinking more tea. Not sugary tea iced tea, real good for you tea lol. That and I have incorperated more salad and veggies into my diet and try to always have a veggie with dinner or at least once a day.

I've been more careful about juice and fruit consumption because bananas are high on carbalhydrates which my doctor said I needed to lower based on my blood work. That and anything with high sugar which a lot of fruit has. So moral of the story, even if it's good for you there is such a thing as too much.

We were also playing Pokemon Go excercising at parks and stuff but that hasn't been happening as much since the cars AC isn't working at the moment and it's too hot to get out and walk around. As soon as it starts cooling down we'll be doing that more again. I just have to remind myself that I am not where I want to be but these positive steps help. Small changes lead to bigger ones. It has to start somewhere and it won't ever be perfect but that's no reason to give up.