This morning whilst out on the trail, it occurred to me how often humans cut the corner to create a straighter line to a destination.
It got me thinking about human nature, and the conversations I have as a Health Coach. Too often we seem to start out on a (metaphoric) journey expecting a straight line to a goal.
Our human brains have evolved to be efficient. They help us make sense of situations quickly, recognise familiar patterns and decide how to respond without having to think everything through from scratch. Routine takes less mental effort, and our brains have a negativity bias that helps us notice potential threats and protect ourselves.
These are useful features of being human. But they can also make it harder to establish new habits and sustain them over time.
Consider this: On the trail, cutting the corner might seem like the more efficient option. Why expend extra energy following the longer route when you can get there more directly?
We can approach our health in much the same way. We know what supports our wellbeing, yet we often persist with habits that aren't serving us. We start out with good intentions, make some positive changes and experience early progress. Then something gets in the way, and before long, we find ourselves slipping back into familiar patterns.
Sometimes the starting point is an all-or-nothing approach. We throw ourselves into a new routine with full vigour, making drastic changes in the hope of quick results. We join the gym, overhaul our eating, commit to drinking less alcohol or promise ourselves we'll meditate every day.
It works well, until life gets in the way.
A busy period at work, a disrupted routine, a poor night's sleep or an unexpected challenge can be enough to derail our plans. The gym sessions stop, the new eating habits become harder to maintain, and the meditation practice fades away.
And then what?
Often, we struggle to find our way back.
Familiar habits can be surprisingly powerful. They require less thought and effort, and even when we know they aren't helping us, they can feel more comfortable than trying something new. Establishing a different routine takes effort, and the discomfort of doing something unfamiliar can sometimes feel harder to tolerate than the discomfort of staying where we are.
We also tend to expect habit change to follow a straight line. We want to see progress, and we want that progress to continue. When we stumble, we can interpret it as evidence that we're not doing well enough, that we lack discipline or that we simply can't stick to things.
Our negativity bias can contribute to this, drawing our attention towards what has gone wrong rather than the progress we've already made. One missed workout becomes a reason to abandon the week's training. One day of old habits becomes a reason to write off the whole attempt.
Notice the expectation here: that progress should be consistent, that the new habit should stick immediately, and that a setback means we've failed. We want the shortcut in the track.
But what if the bends in the trail are meant to be part of the journey?
What if, instead of judging ourselves when things don't go to plan, we approached those moments with more curiosity, self-compassion and patience?
We could pause and ask ourselves what got in the way. Was the plan realistic? Did we take on too much at once? Were we tired, stressed or trying to fit a new routine into a life that was already full? Is there a different way to approach this that would make it easier to keep going?
These questions shift the focus from what went wrong to what we can learn. They allow us to adjust our approach, rather than abandon the goal altogether.
This is one of the things I love about health coaching. I get to help everyday people look at their health journeys from a different perspective. Together, we explore the patterns, circumstances and beliefs that can interrupt good intentions. We reconnect with what matters most, uncover what motivates and find practical ways to navigate the obstacles that inevitably arise.
It's not about getting everything right or relying on willpower to push through. It's about developing a better understanding of ourselves and finding ways to make our habits work in the context of real life.
Living well isn't a one-and-done event. It's an ongoing process of making choices that support health and wellbeing, adapting when circumstances change and continuing to make progress, even when the journey isn't straight forward.
So, the next time you encounter a bend in the trail, perhaps resist the urge to cut the corner.
Slow down. Take a look around. You never know what you might discover by taking the longer road.