The Vitamin Oops that Actually Worked

Hey there,

So I've been thinking about simple things lately.  You know, little things that bring a bit of joy and I discovered something I think is kind of a game changer and wanted to share with you.

I was ordering some hair vitamins online a few weeks ago, not really paying attention. I tend to overthink, well, everything.  And I had already done a ton of research so by the time I was finally on the website, I was just ready to buy. 

I meant to get the tablets with my usual thought being that whatever gunk went into the candy-like adult gummies would probably negate any benefit from the vitamins.  But somehow, after I finished my purchase, I ended up with the gummies after all. Apple flavored. So that was a plus.

My first reaction was honestly a bit annoyed and I had planned on returning them.  But when they arrived in their pretty glass frosted jars, I thought, Actually, I really want to get started on these. I'll just keep them and get the adult supplements next time.

I began taking them the day they arrived.  And just as advertised, they were yummy.  I put them in my bathroom cabinet for tomorrow hoping that they would work as advertised as well.

Three weeks later, I realized that I’d been taking them every single day without even really thinking about it.  That alone is pretty miraculous for me.  But the part that’s still really surprising me is that my motivation for taking them is different. It’s new.  

Seriously, I have this whole graveyard of supplements that I have started with the best intentions and then just... forgot about. Got bored. Moved on to the next shiny thing. Or simply hated too much to keep torturing myself.  (Do I have any sisters out there?) And with every new attempt, I ended up with just another thing for my inner critic to add to the failure pile.

I really have come to believe that this happens because my default is “performance mode.” I make it all about the outcome, about whether it's "working," about doing it perfectly. And when fun feels too easy—because everything has to be serious and optimal—of course I get bored and quit.  I wrote more about this here.

But this time? I wasn't even trying. I wasn't forcing myself. I was just looking forward to that little apple moment every morning.

And I think that's what did it. I stopped focusing on whether they were "working" because I was enjoying taking them. If I'd gotten those tablets like I planned? I'd probably already be monitoring and measuring and in all likelihood, I would have given up by now just because I’d be fighting my own will.

It’s crazy to me to think that my body knew what it was doing before my brain figured it out.

Deep down, some part of me already understood that enjoyment would work better than optimization. That a little sweetness every morning might actually keep me consistent in a way that willpower never could.  And honestly, I don’t really think about the outcome.  I mean, I still hope it’ll help my hair (it needs help!!).  But I’m happy with the day-by-day process and I can wait.

So let me know what you think.  What has your body been trying to tell you that your mind keeps overriding?

With love and accidental wisdom,
Laura

P.S. I am so grateful that some mistakes are too smart to correct.