It’s just not happening for me… not first thing. I probably won’t sleep in my work clothes or keep my sneakers by the bed… any other tips?

If you can’t do much at the beginning, that’s fine. Start small and move forward day by day slowly. Take your time, buddy. Just start with drinking water when you wake up in the morning.

Set a bedtime routine: Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can help signal to your body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep. This could include reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing.

Create a calming sleep environment: Make sure your bedroom is conducive to sleep by keeping it dark, quiet, and cool. Consider investing in blackout curtains, white noise machines, or a comfortable mattress and pillows to optimize your sleep environment.

3. Limit screen time before bed: The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to fall asleep. Avoid using electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers at least an hour before bedtime.

Practice good sleep hygiene: Establishing healthy sleep habits can improve the quality of your sleep and make it easier to wake up in the morning. This includes avoiding caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime, exercising regularly, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule.

Make a morning routine checklist: Create a checklist of tasks you need to complete in the morning and organize them in the order that works best for you. This can help streamline your morning routine and ensure you don’t forget anything important.

Give yourself time to wake up: If you’re not a morning person, give yourself plenty of time to wake up gradually before starting your day. Consider setting your alarm clock a little earlier to allow for a more relaxed morning routine.

Look, if now’s not the time for change, then at least be honest with yourself about that. Stop beating yourself up for not being in a place you’re just not in yet. That kind of self-punishment doesn’t motivate—it wounds. It stalls healing. It feeds the voice that says you’ll never get there.

So instead of trying to leap into some perfect version of life, try baby steps. Real ones. Put your sneakers in the car if you won’t keep them by the bed. Get the gym membership—not for perfection, but so you’re investing in yourself. Make a date with a friend for a walk after dinner. Little shifts lead to momentum.

And let’s be clear: not hitting a goal isn’t a failure. It’s feedback. If your goals feel impossible, maybe you’re aiming at someone else’s vision, not your own. That’s not growth—that’s comparison.

I’m not telling you to sit in stagnation. I’m telling you to plant the kind of seeds that can grow where you’re actually standing. Honor the truth of where you are. Build from there.