Merryn Johnston Merryn Johnston

Thinking About Change: Why We Find It So Hard Sometimes (and Three Steps I've Learned to Ease the Stress)

Why was I lying awake worrying about pet-sitting a golden retriever?

Recently I found myself overthinking, over-preparing, and stressing about a situation that was pretty much zero risk. It got me thinking about why even small changes can sometimes trigger such a big response.

The answer has a lot to do with how our brains handle uncertainty.

In this post, I share a personal experience, some interesting insights about the brain and change, and three simple strategies that helped me regain perspective.

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Merryn Johnston Merryn Johnston

The “All or Nothing” Approach to Life — and Why It May Be Keeping You Stuck

“I’m a good starter.”

A client said this to me recently, describing the cycle of setting health goals, losing momentum, then quietly slipping back into old patterns.

I think many people live inside this “all or nothing” mindset — believing change only counts if it’s done perfectly.

But what if the problem isn’t lack of motivation?
What if the goalposts are simply too far away?

This article explores why consistency matters more than intensity, and how smaller, more realistic goals are often what finally help people feel “officially unstuck.”

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Merryn Johnston Merryn Johnston

“I know what to do, I’m just not doing it” — unpacked

“I know what to do… I’m just not doing it.”

It’s one of the most common phrases I hear in conversations around health and wellbeing — and usually it has very little to do with laziness or lack of discipline.

This blog unpacks what may really be getting in the way.

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Merryn Johnston Merryn Johnston

Look East, Then West

This morning I thought the rain had cleared… until I turned around.

Have you ever noticed how the same situation can feel completely different depending on how you look at it?

Here’s inspiration from my walk this morning that might shift how you see your day… It made me think about how often we assume our first perspective is the truth.

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Merryn Johnston Merryn Johnston

Since when did looking after your health make you a ‘fitness freak’?

Most people don’t struggle because they don’t know movement is important.

They struggle because they can’t see how it fits into their real, busy, imperfect lives.

In this post, I unpack why we’ve overcomplicated exercise — and how to reconnect with movement in a way that supports your health for decades to come.

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Merryn Johnston Merryn Johnston

Most people don’t struggle with habit change because they lack motivation. It’s because life interrupts their best intentions — and they don’t know what to do next.

You can know exactly what supports your wellbeing and still find habit change hard. Life gets busy, routines unravel, and self-criticism creeps in.

This piece explores why setbacks are a normal part of behaviour change — and what actually helps people build healthier habits and stay engaged despite the undulations of life.

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Merryn Johnston Merryn Johnston

Finding the spring of your motivation

So many of us wait for motivation to arrive before we take action on our health or wellbeing.
But motivation isn’t something you find — it’s something you grow.

The smallest step possible is sometimes all that’s required to create the momentum you’ve been missing. Read on if you’re hoping to find yours.

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Merryn Johnston Merryn Johnston

Breaking free from the ‘Shoulds’

Behind every “should” is a story — often one that no longer serves you. These hidden narratives can quietly stop you from making the changes you already know would help your health.

In my latest article, I share how to shift from “I should” to “I will” — breaking down those barriers so you can create momentum and restore balance.

💬 What’s one of your “should” statements? Drop it in the comments — you won’t be alone.
✨ And if you’re ready to turn your “shoulds” into action, let’s talk.

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Merryn Johnston Merryn Johnston

“What gets measured gets managed” – are you hiding in the bliss of the unaware?

It’s amazing what clarity can do… especially when we’ve been happily hiding from it.

The head-in-sand approach to life is comfortable and quite normal but the short term discomfort of clarity can open up surprising amounts of motivation and opportunity for positive change.

A recent insight of mine really brought this to life — I’ve shared the story below.

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Merryn Johnston Merryn Johnston

Feeling Flat or Frustrated? Here’s how Health, Lifestyle & Mindset Coaching can help you thrive

It’s Monday morning ☀️.

You’re staring at your coffee ☕️, wondering why you feel so flat.

The “healthy habits” you promised yourself over the weekend never happened.
And then a thought hits you: If I keep going like this, where will I be in 10 years?

That’s the moment you know—something has to change.

I’ve written an article on how Health, Lifestyle and Mindset Coaching can help you reset, reconnect with your values, and create habits that last.

Because health is everything 💛. And the best time to start is now.

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Merryn Johnston Merryn Johnston

From awkward starts to beautiful growth

Ever started something new only to falter and then stop again?
The intention was there but keeping going was just too difficult?

That’s the awkward beginning of change.

But when you stick with it, what unfolds is something powerful – and beautiful.

Read my article on why evolving your lifestyle routines for improved health and wellbeing isn’t about instant perfection, but about the growth that happens along the way and how health coaching can support you on that journey.

What’s one change you’ve started that felt awkward at first—but grew into something beautiful? Please share in the comments below

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Merryn Johnston Merryn Johnston

Getting to the bottom of Procrastination

What if procrastination isn’t the enemy, but a message?

It’s easy to get stuck waiting for motivation to appear — but often, it’s action that creates momentum, not the other way around.

I've written an article exploring why we hesitate, and how small, values-based actions can help us move forward with more ease (and less guilt).

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