This Isn't Sparta. It's Thursday, and You're Tired

Ever felt like you’re failing at life just because your morning didn’t start with a 5am ice bath and a green smoothie?

Yeah, same.

Some days you’re in the flow. Other days you’re eating cereal for dinner in yesterday’s gym kit, wondering what day it is. And both are normal. But in the age of hustle-glam wellness culture, it’s easy to forget that.

This episode is your reminder that wellbeing isn’t supposed to feel like punishment. It’s not about being ‘disciplined enough’ or checking off 20 boxes before 9am. If you’ve been trying to change your habits through guilt, grind, or sheer force—this one’s for you.

What this episode is really about

We’re diving deep into the real reason most of us struggle to build healthy habits that last—and spoiler: it’s not because you’re lazy or lack willpower. I break down why the “no excuses” approach is actually making things harder, not better, and how science (and a whole lot of self-compassion) can help you create change that sticks.

I share personal stories (including a very glam cereal-for-dinner moment), lessons from Shahroo Izadi’s The Kindness Method, and three research-backed strategies to help you get out of the all-or-nothing mindset and back into something sustainable, kind, and real. Because the truth is: you cannot hate yourself into better habits.

Key Takeaways

💡 You’re not lazy, you’re just tired
And you’re living in a world that glamorises grind. It’s time to ditch the shame and redefine what real wellbeing looks like.

🧠 Stress blocks growth, safety unlocks it
When you pressure yourself to change, your brain panics. When you offer compassion, it learns. This isn’t fluff—it’s neuroscience.

🗣 Name it with kindness
Instead of spiralling into shame, pause and acknowledge what you’re feeling. It’s a simple, powerful nervous system reset.

🔍 Reframe the ‘why’ behind your habits
Every habit you have is trying to meet a need. Find the need, meet it differently, and change gets a whole lot easier.

🧩 Start ridiculously small
You don’t need a 90-minute routine. One mindful breath counts. One glass of water counts. Tiny is powerful—especially when you’re tired.

Pep Talk

You don’t need to be perfect to make progress. You don’t need to be “built different” to feel better. What you do need? A bit more compassion, a lot less pressure, and a toolkit that actually fits your life. Start small. Stay kind. You’ve got this.

Resources Mentioned

• The Kindness Method by Shahroo Izadi

• Free Habit Reset Starter Kit → www.unwritten.coach/habitresetkit

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