Back in December, I started thinking about the new year and whether I had any goals I wanted to reach.
I decided that I wanted to start living my life more. I wanted to do more things just for fun. I wanted to try new things.
I was searching around on the internet and found a hot yoga studio that had just opened up near my house. “Perfect!” I thought. I had been looking for a way to mix up my workout routine and try something different. Hot yoga sounded like exactly what I was looking for. I decided that I would give it a try after the holidays.
Christmas came and went and before I knew it, it was 2022. I started off the new year sick so that set me back a couple of weeks from signing up for my first class.
Before I knew it, it was my birthday. “Perfect!” I thought. “I’ll buy myself a nice yoga mat for my birthday.” My yoga mat arrived and I set it on the dining room table with all the other crap I had been putting off.
Another couple of weeks went by and still no hot yoga. The overthinking had set in and I knew I wasn’t going to hot yoga any time soon.
“What class should I start with?”
“What day and time should I go?”
“What kind of towel should I bring?”
“Where do I park?”
“Where do I go when I get there?”
“What if there’s no bathroom? I know I’ll definitely have to pee as soon as I get there.”
“When do I take off my shoes? Do I just walk barefoot around the studio?”
“What if I look stupid? Well, I’m going to look stupid because I don’t know what I’m doing.”
These thoughts—and so many more—ran through my head on a loop as I looked at the yoga studio’s website and Facebook page almost every day.
I was stuck—stuck in overthinking. Paralysis by analysis, as many people call it.
January turned to February and February turned to March and what the actual fuck was I doing with my life?!
By the end of March, I was sick of my own shit. I was making excuses and I knew it. I finally said to myself, “Lauren, the first quarter of the year is almost over already. What are you doing? You will be so mad at yourself if this whole year goes by and you never try hot yoga. Yes, you are insecure, self-conscious, and haven’t made a new friend in years, but that’s not going to change unless you push yourself out of your comfort zone.”
I finally let go of my overthinking and signed up for my first class. And guess what—I felt awkward and stupid and ridiculously nervous, but I survived.
I’ve taken 8 classes now and I truly have no idea what I was so worried about.
So, what is your hot yoga? Whether it comes to caring for your loved one or just doing something for yourself, what are you overthinking? Where are you stuck?
Take this as the nudge you need to push yourself forward. You will never have it all figured out. You will never have answers to all of your questions. You will never be ready.
Hopefully, you will look back on today and wonder what you were so worried about.
But even if not, at least you gave it a try. That’s more than you could say if you stayed stuck where you are.
And when you finally end up where you’ve been wanting to be, don’t judge yourself for how long it took you to get there.
Just accept that everything always happens exactly when it should.
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I overthink everything! Especially when it comes to my mom and her care. Unfortunately I live in South Carolina where there isn’t much help for seniors who have worked all of their lives and have more than $2000 in their account. I pay for everything for my mom, out of pocket, to ensure that she has the best of what “I think she needs”. But then I think, “Am I forgetting something?” Someone is at the house with her all day while I work, I prepare her meals before I leave for work, I try to give her a shower at least 3 days a week, and I THINK I’m finally figuring out meals that she will enjoy, But, there’s always something to ponder. Especially if I’m tired, need a break or GOD FORBIDE I get the opportunity to go out for a few hours…..Am I neglecting her? What else can I be doing to ensure that she’s comfortable? Whew!!!! I overthink everything; and still don’t have the answers.
I can totally relate! You will probably never feel like you are doing enough for her, but remind yourself that you are always doing your best! Even if your best looks different each day.