6 Mantras I Live By to Thrive and Live My Best Life

By Lacey Muinos

If health and wellness is a journey, then where’s the roadmap? The truth is: Everyone’s journey looks different, which isn’t always helpful when you’re trying to embark on one yourself.

Even though wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all, I still believe there are some principles that can apply to most people. Yes, we all need to eat healthy, move more, stay hydrated, and get plenty of sleep, but sometimes those things are easier said than done.

The key, I’ve found, is repeating certain mantras when I need some support in the way of showing up for myself and putting my well-being first. If you need a little encouragement, keep these mantras in your back pocket. When you’re feeling stuck, they may give you that nudge you’re looking for.

1. If It’s Not a “Heck Yes,” It’s a “Heck No”

Have trouble making decisions? I’m the Queen of Indecision. I tried on more than 50 wedding dresses before choosing one, and it once took me nearly a year to pick out a new dining table. Credentials aside, struggling to make a decision can be so frustrating and lead to procrastination. It holds you back when all you want to do is move on.

That’s where this mantra comes in: If it’s not a “heck yes,” it’s a “heck no.” It’s so simple yet so actionable. If you’re not overwhelmingly sure about Option A, it’s time to move on to Option B. This mantra has prevented me from making impulse purchases, but more than saving money, it helps me save my most valuable resource—my time.

2. Don’t Put It Down—Put

We all have a junk drawer or two to stash away those odds and ends you swear you’ll organize later. A junk drawer isn’t unreasonable, but all those times I had stacked boxes on my treadmill or couldn’t find my sports bra in that mountain of unfolded clothes? I’d basically sabotaged my own fitness routine because I couldn’t be bothered to keep a tidy space.

I once heard someone say on social media: “Don’t put it down-put it away,” and it stuck with me. Most of the time, it only takes a few seconds to put something back where it belongs, and I feel better for not creating clutter and sabotaging my future self. My mind feels more at ease, too.

3. If It Takes Two Seconds, Do It Now

Short on time? Everyone has a few seconds here and there, and sometimes, that’s all you need to stay consistent with something. I’m no stranger to analysis paralysis, which ties back into indecision. For me, this would mean being unable to decide which task to tackle. So, what did I do? Nothing. I’d make zero progress because I couldn’t decide what to do first.

I have a different approach now, and it helps me tremendously with consistency: Spend less time deliberating and more time doing. I knock out the tasks that only take two seconds (not literally two seconds, but brief nonetheless) right then and there. Taking my vitamins? I have time for that real quick. Scheduling that appointment I’d been putting off? I can make that quick phone call.

4. Let Them

You’ve probably heard of “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins. It’s a #1 New York Times bestseller based on two little words that can be so freeing: “Let them.” I’m one of the millions of people who have read this book, and my life is better because of it.

It seems so obvious now, but I didn’t always understand the concept that other people’s actions are out of your control. And that you can drive yourself up a wall trying to do just that. If you’re an overthinker or people pleaser, this one’s for you because it reminds you to recognize that other people are going to say and do things differently than you might—and that it’s OK.

Here are some examples of how you can apply it: That family member who’s disappointed you won’t have another glass of wine? Let them be disappointed. Have a colleague who thinks Pilates isn’t a real workout? Let them have their opinion. That friend who always misses the morning walking group? Let them miss out.

Let them be them so you can be you.

5. Let Me

If you can’t control others, what can you control? Yourself. There’s something so empowering in realizing that you can take charge. You can be the catalyst rather than waiting to act in response to someone else. That’s where the second part of The Let Them Theory comes in, and it’s called “Let me.”

As Mel says, “Let me go first.” Let me introduce myself to a potential walking buddy. Let me inform the fitness instructor that I’m new to this class. Let me disengage when someone isn’t supportive of my wellness journey.

I use this mantra often when I need a reminder that I—and I alone—am responsible for my well-being. Rather than waiting for someone else to hold me accountable, I let myself prioritize my goals and take that crucial step. 

6. Choose Your Hard

I often remind myself that I can do hard things. As the old saying goes, life is hard. And sometimes there isn’t an easy solution to your problems. But you always have a choice, so choose your hard.

For me, I struggled with weight gain…for years. And that was hard! It was hard watching the scale go up. It was hard not feeling confident in my own skin. It was hard dealing with joint pain and low energy.

You know what else was hard? Getting into a routine that helped me achieve my goals. If it were easy, it wouldn’t have taken me so many years. Learning how to cook new meals, getting into a regular workout routine, and taking my health more seriously was life-changing, but it wasn’t effortless.

Both were hard, but given the choice again, I know which hard I’d choose.

These are the mantras I live by, and they help me be a happier, healthier version of myself. You don’t have to adopt all of them yourself, but give one or two a try. You might find they also help you realize what’s most important—your own well-being.