“I Just Need to Do the Thing”: A Conversation on Change

watson2wellness
Jul 16
2 min read

Let’s be honest—you already know what needs to happen. More sleep. More water. A bit of movement. You’ve even mapped it out a few times. Maybe you made a cute checklist, maybe not. But week after week, it’s mostly a little here, a little there… or not at all.

Sound familiar?

You’re not lazy. You're not broken. You're human.

So what’s going on beneath the surface? Let’s look at the messy, beautiful tug-of-war between staying the same and choosing change.

💬 1. What’s GOOD About Not Changing?

Believe it or not, there’s something working for you in the status quo.

You don’t have to stretch emotionally or physically.
You stay within your comfort zone, and that can feel safe.
You avoid the discomfort of failing—or having to try again.
You protect your existing routines (hello, bedtime revenge scrolling 🙃).

It makes sense why this version of life has stuck around: it serves a purpose.

🌀 2. What Would Be BAD About Changing?

Let’s name the fears.

Changing means disrupting what's “familiar.”
It might mean giving up spontaneous treats, late-night YouTube rabbit holes, or hitting snooze 3 times.
You’d be committing. And commitment can feel heavy if you’ve disappointed yourself before.
It might mean facing uncomfortable emotions… or even others' expectations.

Change isn’t just about doing something new—it often means letting go of something old that gave you a sense of control or relief.

✨ 3. What Could Be GOOD About Changing?

Now imagine waking up feeling less groggy. Or moving without pain because you did the physio. Or not needing to snack mindlessly at 3 p.m. because you hydrated like a champ.

Change could bring you:

Increased energy and clarity
A deeper sense of self-respect
Better sleep, better mood, better digestion
The confidence that comes from following through

These aren’t pipe dreams. They’re possible—one intentional step at a time.

😬 4. What Might Be BAD About Not Changing?

Fast forward 10 years. What does life look like if things stay the same?

Maybe pain gets worse.
Maybe sleep gets shorter.
Maybe confidence shrinks quietly.
Maybe your goals drift so far you can’t even see them anymore.

Staying the same isn’t neutral—it’s choosing a direction, even if it's by default.

🎯 Let’s Talk About “Just”

“I just need to go to bed earlier.” “I just need to drink more water.”

The word just discounts the complexity of your life. It implies it’s easy, when the truth is: doing the thing takes effort, courage, and clarity. And your brain resists change because all behavior has a purpose.

So here’s the question: