I can’t believe it’s March already, can you? Sometimes it feels like life is racing past—like everyone else is ticking off milestones while I’m stuck in neutral. But here’s the thing: life isn’t a race. Timing is everything, and your timing? It’s uniquely yours, and that’s what makes it right.
I struggled for ages to get back in shape, still sporting those lockdown-love-handles years later. I tried watching motivational videos, signed up for gym classes I never attended, dug out my old leg warmers, and even gave myself pep talks in the mirror.
But nothing worked. Sticking to a routine felt impossible—until one day, it didn’t. Something shifted. I got up one morning and went to the gym. Then I did the same thing the next day.
It’s been well over a year now, and I’ve stuck with it. The difference? Timing. My readiness finally aligned with my actions, and that made all the difference. When your motivation and actions come together, things feel a million times more manageable.
Of course, there’s a fine line between waiting for the right time and simply putting things off. Ask yourself: am I waiting because I’m genuinely not ready, or because I’m afraid?
Fear has a funny way of hiding behind the idea of “waiting for everything to fall into place.” But life rarely hands us perfect conditions. Whether it’s starting a fitness journey, pursuing a dream, or making peace with where you are, trust your timing—but don’t let fear keep you stuck. Life isn’t a sprint; it’s a winding, unpredictable path. Every small step forward is part of your larger story.
When I first thought about going back to the gym, I didn’t jump straight in. I spent hours lying in bed, scrolling through reels of other people working out, reading about routines, looking at before and after photos of gym successes, gently psyching myself up. As simple as it sounds, those little things kept the idea alive and helped me get ready for the day I finally committed.
As children, we all move through life in step with our peers — school, birthdays, shared milestones. But as adults, we scatter onto completely different paths. Some friends marry young and start families; others chase careers, travel, or focus on different goals.
My best friend has six children and three grandchildren. I have a cat. Both lives are valid, even though they couldn’t be more different.
Comparison, though tempting, is a trap. It robs you of the joy in your own journey. Life isn’t about matching someone else’s timeline. Instead, it’s about following your own path. Every step you take, no matter how small, is shaping your story.
Celebrate your progress, trust the process, and stop worrying about what others expect. It’s not about how quickly you reach your destination; look for the joy in the journey. Take things at your own pace, and trust that right now, you’re exactly where you need to be.
Shannon Humphrey is a First Aid for Mental Health Instructor and Wellbeing advocate, find out more about her work at www.pathwaysforpositivity.com
Photo: Shutterstock
While you’re here, can we ask a favour?
South Leeds Life is published by a not-for-profit social enterprise. We keep our costs as low as possible but we’ve been hit by increases in the print costs for our monthly newspaper which have doubled in the last two years.
Could you help support local community news by making a one off donation, or even better taking out a supporters subscription?
Donate here, or sign up for a subscription at bit.ly/SLLsubscribe
