Episode #87: Just One Small Thing: How to Feel Better Without Fixing Everything

Dorothy McGatlin Coaching
Episode #87: Just One Small Thing: How to Feel Better Without Fixing Everything
12:02
 

One Small Thing That Can Shift Everything: A Gentle Guide to Feeling Better Without Doing It All

 

You know those days when even the smallest task feels like a mountain?
When you’re overwhelmed, drained, maybe a little heavy with emotion or the weight of the world?

You’re not alone.

Recently, I found myself there too.
We had just returned from a long-awaited trip, the laundry was piled up, and emotionally, I was just off. Not devastated. Not in crisis. But not okay.

Instead of trying to overhaul everything or “snap out of it,” I did something surprisingly simple:
I cleaned the sink.

It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t on a to-do list. But that one small thing shifted everything.

Why Small Things Matter

It’s easy to believe that healing or growth—or even weight loss—requires a massive effort.
But most real change starts with just one small shift.

When you’re in a funk, doing something tiny but tangible:

  • Brings a flicker of control and accomplishment

  • Reminds your nervous system: “I’m safe, and I can take care of myself.”

  • Creates a gentle spark of momentum

Whether it’s brushing your hair, tidying a drawer, or prepping your water bottle for tomorrow, small actions soothe the inner chaos.

Feeling Is Part of the Work

So many women try to “think positive” or “push through,” especially in health journeys. But suppressing your emotions just traps them deeper.

Instead, what if we said:
“I feel low today. That’s okay. I’m safe.”

When we allow our feelings, we create space for presence instead of pressure. And from that presence, gentle action becomes possible.

Let Progress Be Imperfect

Here’s what I know from both life and coaching:
It’s not about doing everything—it’s about doing something.

Your health journey doesn’t start with 20 pounds lost.
It starts with:

  • Drinking water

  • Taking a short walk

  • Looking up one new recipe

  • Saying one kind thing to yourself

You’re allowed to feel. You’re allowed to move slowly.
And you’re always allowed to begin again—with just one small thing.


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