I’ve been going through a bit of a rut lately. I feel like I’m not seeing results in the gym, I’m not seeing results with my work, and I’m not seeing results with my relationships. And those feelings can easily take over. They don’t just take over your mind, but they take over your body. Days feel less exciting and less purposeful and because of that, it can be hard to get moving. But this past weekend I decided to change my attitude. As I stood in front of the mirror on Sunday in my new Nike React Sneakers, I decided it was time to wash away the doubt and move forward. I decided it’s time to go the extra mile.
Self doubt is pretty interesting. It pops up out of nowhere and it takes over. It makes you question your hard work, your intentions and your purpose. And it’s hard to relinquish those feelings. The questions inside your head grow and expand, and before you know it, you can’t seem to pull yourself out of the hole you’ve dug. That’s how I’ve felt lately. I’ve felt like a bad friend, like I’m not fit enough, like my recipes aren’t good enough, like my posts aren’t interesting enough…it goes on and on. But that’s the funny thing about life. We go through these ups and down with doubt and then at some point, we finally get fed up with that feeling and move forward. And that’s exactly where I am at this point in time.
The first step to moving away from self doubt is going the extra mile. And that extra mile will look different to everyone. It may mean waking up an hour earlier to get in a workout that day. It may be pushing through a late night to finish up a project. It may mean picking up the phone every week to call a friend. Or it may just be sitting in silence for 20 minutes, reflecting on the progress you’ve made throughout the past month.
For me, my extra mile means becoming aware of what I’m doing and understanding that I’m capable of more. That I can always be better. And that there is always room for improvement. I want to become better all around and for me that means being more patient, being a better wife and friend, getting better at cooking, working hard at coming up with new content for my website, spending more time with the people I love, and getting in the gym day after day because I know my body deserves it. This may be a long list, but it’s all about going that extra mile to become a better person all around. And I’m up for the challenge. Because honestly, going the distance every day is pretty damn fun.
And luckily I have my Nike React Sneakers to go the distance with me. Whether I’m heading to the gym for a workout, grabbing a smoothie bowl with my girlfriends afterwards or working in my kitchen all day to come up with new recipes for you guys, my Nike React Sneakers feel just as comfortable as when I put them on. Which means I get more done throughout the day.
If you haven’t seen the new Nike Epic React running shoes, well it’s the perfect time to give them a try because the new summer colorways just released! The Nike Epic React first released in February and people have fallen in love with how comfortable these sneakers feel day after day, workout after workout. They are 11% softer, they have 10% more energy return, are 5% lighter, and last 600 more miles (compared to Lunar). You can learn more about the technology here! But what does all of this even mean? It means they are soft and springy and perfect for people on the move, plus they have an extremely sleek design with the flyknit material, so they are perfect for day-to-day wear. They were truly created for going the extra mile.
How will you go the extra mile tomorrow? What will you do to decide your own fate? How will you create your own destiny? Decide today, act tomorrow and pave the next mile for yourself. Because you deserve to be proud, to be excited, and to be in control of your own path. It’s all about deciding that you’re worth it. You’re worth the extra work. You’ve got this. Just do it.
Shop the New Nike Epic React Colorways
Shop My Nike Look
___________
This post is brought to you by Nike. It contains some affiliate links and I may be compensated for this post, but all opinions are my own. This compensation helps with expenses to keep this blog up and running! Thank you for all your support!
I think your recipes are absolutely amazing! I pretty much look to your cookbook and website for all meals. My husband requests the jalapeno popper chicken salad weekly. Ruts are super hard, and I think we are all our harshest critic , but it will get better!
so true Claire! thank you for trusting me into your kitchen!
We all have to go through those ruts to grow and become stronger! Love your posts and content. Keep up the hard work 🙂
so so true Sam!
Thank you for being so honest about self doubt, it does suck and we all experience it! It’s hard when you want to do so many things in life and feel you’re coming up short in all areas.
I try to work on accepting who I am and that while I want things to change, there will be times when I struggle. But I know everything is temporary which helps. You have to go through the bad times, it helps you appreciate when things are good. We can’t always feel like we’re crushing it!
I know you’ll get through this period of self doubt and come out of it a stronger person!
so so true. going through hard times is what helps us learn and grown the most. thanks for the comment april!!
I think your recipes are awesome! I make at least two a week. Your workouts are inspiring, your outfits are precious, love listening to your podcast as I grocery shop on Saturday mornings — your hard work on this blog does NOT go unnoticed! We all get in a funk and you are handling it the BEST way possible.
thank you Nicole! you’re the best! thank you for listening and for following along! I really appreciate it!
I am seconding Claire! I read your posts every single day & refer to your cookbook every week. YOU’RE THE BEST! Give yourself grace during this season, and trust that your hard work is worth it!! Us readers love you!
thank you krista!! that’s so sweet of you to say! xoxoxo
Your web content is a go-to for me. I’ve been trying your new recipes (yummy) and going back through your website to make my favorites–spaghetti squash casseroles anyone? Keep up the good work!
thanks jennifer!! so glad you’ve loved my recipes!!
This post definitely resonates with recent feelings of my own. Thanks for being so open about it-we just have to get through this time and we’ll be better women for it! So you know, your blog is my daily go-to, and your podcast is my absolute favorite of the ones I listen to. Your hard work is not unnoticed! Thanks for posting this, and go get outta your funk!
thank you so so much for the kind words Sabrina! the podcast is such a funny thing because i totally feel like i’m just talking to myself. it’s always so weird to hear someone is listening to it haha. but thank you for continuously coming to the blog and listening to the podcast. you rock!!
Having blogged as long as you have, it is perfectly understandable to feel like you’ve plateaued or that you’re not making as much progress as you’d like. I like the introspective approach you took to this problem you’ve become aware of in different areas of your life. Self-talk can LIE. “More” or “the extra mile” isn’t always the truth, but realizing you are capable of “more,” especially in relationships, is always good, IMO. We get what we give to relationships. They don’t just happen.
Thanks for all you GIVE here.
so true Jenn. and i definitely lack in giving to my relationships at times, it’s something i really need to work on and give more effort to. thanks for leaving a comment and giving your own perspective!
I have made three of your recipes since Friday! AMMMAAAZE. Ooey gooey chocolate chip pumpkin bars, coffee cake banana bread, & jalapeno popper chicken salad!
yayyyyyy!! that’s so awesome!! thanks for trying so many recipes!
I love your recipes!! Whenever I want to try something new and have an idea as to some of the ingredients I want to use or a meal I want to make, I go to google and type in whatever it is and add paleomg on the end to see if you have made that certain recipe because your recipes are always my go to! So keep rocking your style of cooking!
We all get in ruts and although it’s important not to give up, sometimes pushing the extra mile is exactly the opposite of what we need. Sometimes we aren’t making progress in certain areas if we keep pushing really hard, and it may be better to take a small break or step back and give yourself time to reflect and process. Usually when I give myself a break and some space I come back more motivated than ever and with some new ideas. And by the way, you are VERY fit. I think many women out there look to you as fitspo and can only hope to someday be as fit as you are. You’re awesome and try to give yourself a little grace because it’s pretty obvious you work your ass off in all areas of your life! Keep doing you and and know that’s always enough.
hahaha that’s awesome that you search for recipes that way! and i totally feel the same way about stepping back and coming back more motivated than before. that’s what true vacation is for me but that doesn’t happen until november so i just gotta push through and learn to deal with stress a little better along the way. thank you for the kind words and taking the time to even leave a comment. i really appreciate amy!