I came across a quote and I had to share with you.

It’s one of those little nuggets that makes you stop and think.

“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space lies our freedom and power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom.”

— Viktor E. Frankl

Now, I know this might sound a bit philosophical, but stick with me—there’s a reason this quote caught my attention, especially when you are juggling a million things and trying to squeeze in a bit of self-care and fitness on top, all while trying not to worry what other people think!

Think about it: every day, we’re faced with countless little moments—stimuli, if you will. Maybe it’s the lure of the chocolate that’s got your name on it at 3 PM. Or that moment when you’re deciding between getting off the sofa to do a workout or just scrolling through your phone for the next 45 minutes.

These moments might seem small, but they’re where the magic happens. That SPACE Frankl talks about? That’s your chance to PAUSE, take a breath, and really think about what you want out of life. Do you want the quick, fleeting pleasure of that chocolate? Or do you want the lasting satisfaction of knowing you made a choice that serves you and moves you nearer to where you want to be?

Let’s say you’re trying to lose weight and feel fitter. The stimulus might be the sight of your favourite Freddo bar or the exhaustion at the end of a long day. But before you dive headfirst into your Freddo Multi Pack, or settle into the sofa with ‘one’ glass of wine, take a moment…. That’s your SPACE.

I am going to say it again, just in case you have been reading on autopilot….THAT IS YOUR SPACE!

It’s your opportunity to ask yourself, “Is this going to get me closer to where I want to be?” Sometimes the answer might be yes—because let’s face it, sometimes you just WANT to eat chocolate—but more often than not, this PAUSE gives you the power to choose the action that serves you and supports your growth.

So, next time you’re faced with one of these moments, and there will be hundreds of them, try to embrace that SPACE between stimulus and response. It’s not always easy, as a lot of what we do is a mindless habit, but it’s in that SPACE where you’ll find the freedom to make choices that lead to real, lasting change.

Remember, we’re all in this together, and every little decision adds up. Here’s to making the most of those tiny pauses and choosing the path that leads to our best selves.