Progress Over Perfection:
Ditch the All-or-Nothing Mentality
Let’s talk about something that holds so many women back in their wellness journeys: the all-or-nothing mindset. You know the one. It’s when you feel like you have to do EVERYTHING right or it’s not worth doing at all. You think if you can’t follow the perfect diet, workout every single day, or follow a rigid routine, then you’ve failed. It’s exhausting, it’s unrealistic, and honestly? It’s BS.
Why the All-or-Nothing Mentality Doesn’t Work
The all-or-nothing mentality tells you that either you’re fully committed, or you’re not committed at all. Either you follow the rules perfectly, or you’ve “fallen off the wagon.” Sound familiar? This mindset sets you up for frustration and burnout because life isn’t perfect, and neither are you. Sorry it's true.
This mentality often leads to:
All-day binge after a “slip-up”: You eat one cookie, and suddenly the whole day (or week) is ruined. So you eat everything in sight to make yourself feel better, then feel guilty afterward.
Sticking to extreme diets: You go all-in on a diet, restricting everything you love, but eventually, you can’t sustain it, and you’re back to square one—feeling like a failure.
Skipping workouts because of “missed days”: You miss one workout, and suddenly you feel like there's no point in trying anymore, so you skip it altogether.
Perpetual stress: The pressure to do everything perfectly creates constant stress, leading to burnout and giving up altogether.
The truth? Perfection is a trap. It’s the enemy of progress. You don’t need a perfect plan; you need a sustainable one.
Progress Over Perfection: Here’s How to Shift Your Mindset
1. Small Steps, Big Impact
Instead of trying to overhaul everything in one go, focus on small, consistent actions. Whether it’s adding more protein to your meals, squeezing in 15 minutes of movement, or taking a few minutes to meditate, these tiny actions add up. Don’t wait for the "perfect" time or perfect plan. Start now, and keep building from there.
2. Embrace the Imperfections
There’s no such thing as a “perfect” diet, body, or routine. Life gets messy—kids get sick, you miss a workout, you eat a pizza. That’s life. Perfection doesn’t exist, and neither does a “perfect” wellness journey. Instead of getting stuck in guilt, recognize the imperfection and move forward with love and acceptance.
3. Learn to Let Go of the Black-and-White Thinking
The all-or-nothing mentality feeds into a toxic way of thinking: if you mess up once, everything is ruined. No, no, no. If you miss a workout, that’s just one day. If you have a piece of cake, you don’t need to start over tomorrow. One choice doesn’t define your entire journey. It’s the sum of consistent, imperfect actions that gets you where you want to go.
4. Celebrate the Wins, No Matter How Small
Did you get in a 10-minute workout today? Celebrate it. Ate a nutritious breakfast? Celebrate it. Got 7 hours of sleep? Celebrate it. Every step forward counts, and it deserves to be recognized. Progress is progress, no matter how small it seems in the moment.
5. Focus on How You Feel, Not the Scale
Too often, we get fixated on the scale or fitting into a certain size. But your progress isn’t just about numbers. Focus on how you feel: more energized, stronger, less stressed. These internal shifts are just as important (if not more) than any external change.
Why Progress is the Only Thing That Matters
Here’s the unfiltered truth: wellness isn’t about achieving some picture-perfect standard. It’s about progress—making small, consistent improvements that add up over time. When you focus on progress, you create lasting habits, build confidence, and improve your health without getting caught in a cycle of failure.
Ditch perfection. Embrace progress.
At Unfiltered Wellness, we believe you can create a healthy, fulfilling life without the pressure of being perfect. Wellness is about showing up, making intentional choices, and evolving along the way. It’s about progress—not perfection—and that’s what matters.
You don’t have to be perfect to feel great and achieve your goals. Let’s take it one imperfect step at a time. Ready to start your progress over perfection journey? Let’s do this together.
