Over-Committing To Wellness Is Holding You Back

Let’s be honest: I blimmin’ love a good plan. A perfectly colour-coded to-do list. A workout calendar that maps out the next 90 days. A wellness routine that includes daily smoothies, 5am workouts, mindfulness practice, journaling, meal prep, and at least eight hours of sleep.

But here’s what I’ve learned (the hard way) : when I expect myself to tick every single box, every single day— I’m setting myself up to fail.

The all-or-nothing mindset is one of the biggest barriers I see when working with women who are trying to create sustainable, nourishing wellness practices. 

It sounds like:
“If I don’t have time for a full workout, I won’t do anything at all.”
“If I can’t make a healthy dinner from scratch, I might as well order takeout for the whole week.”
“If I miss one morning routine, I’ve ruined the whole day.”

Sound familiar?

The Nervous System Cost of High Expectations

Research in Psychology and Neuroscience tells us that perfectionism and chronic overachievement don’t just impact our mood—they impact our nervous system. When we’re constantly striving to meet unrealistic expectations, our bodies stay in a heightened state of stress (hello, fight/flight/freeze). Over time, this can lead to burnout, hormonal imbalance, sleep disturbances, mood swings, and even immune suppression.

A 2021 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that individuals with perfectionist traits are more likely to experience chronic stress, anxiety, and difficulty with emotional regulation. Why? Because our baseline is set to "do more, be more"—even when our body is pleading for rest.

This isn’t just about being busy. It’s about how we relate to being busy—and whether we give ourselves permission to rest and recalibrate.

My Own Wellness Wake-Up Call

A few years ago, I was living proof of this.

I was an all-or-nothing kind of gal. I was trying to do and be everything for everyone. On the outside, it looked like I had it all together—but on the inside, I was completely depleted.

I was raising two tiny humans under two, renovating a home, teaching yoga, cooking fancy nutritious meals, working out for 60 minutes a day, journaling my feelings, keeping up with friends, setting and achieving goals… and posting it all on social media.

I was always trying to stay ten steps ahead—waking up before the kids to exercise, meal prep, and get all the things done—despite being up multiple times through the night breastfeeding.

Anyone else feel exhausted just reading that?

That was my reality. And as you can imagine, it led me to a breaking point. I was anxious, my body was tired, my skin was inflamed, my hair was falling out, and I just couldn’t settle.

Fast forward four years, and after a whole lot of self-discovery, unlearning, and choosing compassion as the lens through which I see myself and my wellness—I feel like a different person.

I’m calm. I’m regulated. I’m joyful. I have routines that support me, but they’re flexible and realistic. They weave into my day, rather than take it over. And when things don’t go to plan, I adapt with ease.

I feel so good.

So good, in fact, that I now hold space for others and guide them through their own wellness journeys.

The biggest shift for me? Releasing the all-or-nothing mindset and creating wellness practices that fit my life—not the other way around.

The Power of the Minimum Effective Dose

Instead of striving for perfection, what if we aimed for consistency?

There’s a concept known as the “minimum effective dose”—the smallest action required to still generate a meaningful result. It might be ten minutes of movement instead of 60. A two-minute breathing practice instead of a 30-minute meditation. Ordering a nourishing takeaway option when cooking isn’t possible.

These micro-practices add up over time. They build resilience, regulation, and trust in yourself. And most importantly, they’re doable—which means you’re far more likely to stick with them.

Ready to Release the All-or-Nothing Mindset?

If you’ve been feeling stuck in a cycle of unrealistic wellness expectations, burnout, and guilt, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.

I’d love to support you in redefining what wellness can look like for you—not based on a perfect Pinterest board, but on your actual life, energy, and capacity right now.

Let’s chat.

Book a free value call with me right here—you’ll walk away with practical, personalised tips to move forward and feel better starting today.