Identity Over Circumstances

Have you ever caught yourself saying, "I'll start my workout routine when things calm down" or "I'll eat healthier after vacation"? This episode tackles the hidden mindset trap that might be sabotaging your wellness journey.

What if the key to lasting habits isn't about finding more time or waiting for perfect conditions, but about fundamentally shifting how you view yourself? I explore the powerful difference between conditional thinking and identity-based thinking—a perspective shift that has transformed my own wellness journey and those of countless clients.

Conditional thinking ties your healthy habits to external circumstances: "I'll exercise if I have time" or "I'll eat better when work isn't so busy." The problem? Life rarely serves up those perfect conditions. Identity-based thinking, however, starts with who you are: "I'm someone who moves my body regularly because it makes me feel strong" or "I fuel my body with foods that support my energy, regardless of where I am."

This mindset shift helps you break free from the all-or-nothing trap that derails so many wellness journeys. It keeps you grounded in your why and creates flexibility without excuses. I share practical steps to implement this shift in your daily life—starting with one habit, defining the identity behind it, and creating affirming statements that reinforce who you're becoming.

Ready to transform how you approach your health habits? This episode gives you the mindset tools to make lasting changes, even in the midst of life's inevitable chaos. Remember: small shifts equal big results. Hit play, and let's start building habits that stick because they're aligned with who you truly are.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Spandex and Wine
• 1:08 Conditional vs. Identity-Based Thinking
• 2:55 Applying the Mindset to Daily Habits
• 4:16 How to Shift Your Thinking
• 5:42 Call to Action and Episode Closing

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Hello and welcome to the Spandex and Wine podcast. I'm your host, robin Hackney, and I'm so happy that you're here. This podcast is a place for conversations about balancing a healthy lifestyle and being happy. More specifically, happy hour. Together we'll explore all things wellness and wine. I hope you learn a little, laugh a lot and, along the way, know you're not alone on this balanced wellness journey. Ready to jump in for something in your glass that makes you happy, because it's time for spandex and wine. Hey friends, welcome back to the spandex and wine podcast, where we talk all things health, happiness and habits that stick.

Speaker 1: 0:42

As I am recording this, I am standing in the ice room at the Omni Dallas Hotel. It was the only place I could find to kind of tuck away, so just another random place that I have oh my gosh recorded episodes. But yeah, so it's me, robin Hackney, and today we're going to dive into a mindset shift that has changed the game for me and for so many of my clients. So moving from conditional thinking to identity-based thinking. So, whether you're trying to get stronger, eat healthier, drink more water or just feel like yourself again, this one's for you All right.

Speaker 1: 1:21

So let's get to it, starting with conditional thinking. So here's what conditional thinking sounds like. I'll work out if I have time. I'll eat better as long as the kids don't have a million activities this week. I'll be consistent when things slow down. Does that sound familiar? I've been there too. I hear it so many times. I'll get started after I get back from vacation, or just things like that. But I hear all the time. And you guys?

Speaker 1: 1:53

Conditional thinking means that your actions depend on your circumstances and your habits hinge on if everything lines up. But the problem is that life rarely lines up just right. So we end up waiting for the perfect moment, and that moment never really comes. We all know that. I mean, it's just like when people say we're going to have a baby when we have enough money, or da da, da, da. Well, that just does not happen. I'm sure that you guys can all relate to that. So let's flip the script a little bit.

Speaker 1: 2:25

So identity based thinking starts with who you are, not what's happening around you. So that might sound like I'm a person who moves her body because it makes me feel strong. Another example would be I drink water because I care about how I feel. Another one would be I'm someone who makes the time for health, even when life is busy. So can you hear the shift in that it's not what you do, it's who you are. So when your habits are tied to your identity, they become part of your normal and it's no longer about willpower, it's just what you do.

Speaker 1: 3:05

So let's say your goal is to exercise consistently. So conditional thinking says I'll work out as long as I get a good night's sleep and the house is clean. But identity-based thinking says I'm someone who moves her body most days, even if it's just a walk or stretching on a busy day. So that creates a little more flexibility, without excuses. You might not do a full-blown workout every day, but you'll still show up in a way that honors that identity. So you just see how that works. So the same goes for nutrition. So conditional would be I'll eat clean unless we're traveling or celebrating, which I happen to be traveling right now. And identity based would be I fuel my body with things that make me feel good, no matter where I am.

Speaker 1: 3:55

Do you see that shift? That one is actually super powerful, and this mindset helps you avoid the all or nothing trap. It keeps you grounded in the why behind your habits, and you've heard me talk about how important your why is you guys? It is so important. So how do you start thinking this way? Okay, let's see a few things. Number one pick one habit you want to be more consistent with. Pick one habit you want to be more consistent with. Number two ask yourself who is the kind of person that does this naturally. And three then just start affirming it. I am a person who blank Okay, so let's say it's water. Um, it would be. I am a woman who stays hydrated because my energy and skin depend on it, and it doesn't have to necessarily be a woman. I just happen to say that, um, and say it out loud, like put it on a post-it note, believe it and then act from that belief, even in small ways, you guys, those small ways make a huge difference. You've heard me talk about that too Small habits, habit stacking, all of that. So here's your mindset challenge for the week Stop asking yourself if you'll do the thing and start asking who you are becoming, because the truth is you already have it in you.

Speaker 1: 5:19

You've just. You're just stepping into an identity that supports your goals and your health and your happiness. You're just stepping into an identity that supports your goals and your health and your happiness and, as always, I am here cheering you on. If this episode spoke to you even though it was nice and quick and short this time because I'm still traveling I'd love for you to share it with a friend and leaving a review or messaging me and tell me what that habit that you're shifting this week. I would love to hear from you, and you guys have my contact information. You can email me at info at spandexandwinecom. You can also text me on my text line at 913-392-2877. All right, and just remember, small shifts equal big results. Thank you for listening.

Speaker 1: 6:02

If you're enjoying this podcast, be sure to follow Spandex Wine so you don't miss an episode. To do this, just go to the podcast and click subscribe or follow. Wherever you're listening, look for the plus sign or follow button. This is one of the best things that you can do for the podcast. If you'd also be willing to give a five-star review, that would be amazing and much appreciated. Lastly, please share an episode with a friend or five to keep the love going and join the Spandex and Wine community in our private Facebook group by searching Spandex and Wine. Feel free to reach out to me at any time by emailing info at spandexandwinecom or text me at 913-392-2877. I appreciate you. Thank you.