If there’s one thing I’ve perfected, it’s the art of the excuse. I could write a book about the clever detours I’ve invented to sidestep my own plans. The thing is, after a while, those little “not todays” don’t sound clever at all. They’re just heavy. They pile up, get dusty, and start to crowd out the part of me that actually wants more from life.
No one ever warned me how sneaky excuses could be. They slip in quietly, wearing the mask of logic and self-care, telling me I’ll be ready tomorrow, or that I deserve a break, or that someone else probably has it easier anyway. They sound so reasonable. But after living with them long enough, I know what they cost. Every excuse, no matter how small, is another little vote for the version of me who stays stuck.
Letting myself off the hook isn’t just a bad habit. It’s a slow erosion of trust in my own word. That’s not something I want to keep living with. So these days, I’m done pretending I can negotiate my way into a better life. I’ve set myself a handful of ground rules, and when I stick to them, things actually move.
Stop Debating With Myself
Whenever I leave a decision open, I’ll find a way to talk myself out of it. The only way I move forward is by taking away the debate. I put things on the list, and I do them. There’s no bargaining, no convincing myself to push it off. It’s not about feeling inspired—half the time, I’m not. It’s about honoring the promise I made, no matter how ordinary the task.
Focus On What Slips Away
For me, thinking about what I might gain from sticking to a plan doesn’t really light a fire. But thinking about what I lose? That hits home. Every time I sidestep what matters, I give away more than just time. I lose confidence. I lose momentum. I lose another little chunk of the future I want. And that’s not something I’m willing to keep handing over.
Make Preparation Non-Negotiable
Winging it rarely works. If I don’t plan, excuses have too much room to thrive. Now, I prep as if my peace of mind depends on it. I set reminders, prep meals, jot down tomorrow’s list, get my workspace ready. These are small, unglamorous moves, but they close the escape hatches I used to climb through.
Say No, Often and Without Guilt
For too long, I was available to everyone except myself. Every “quick call,” every “can you help?”—my answer was always yes. But all those yeses turned my own life into a leftovers buffet. Now, I guard my hours fiercely. If something doesn’t align with my real priorities, it doesn’t make the cut. Saying no isn’t selfish; it’s the only way I can finally say yes to the stuff that matters.
Show Up For Myself First
Nobody’s tracking my score. Most of what I do—or don’t do—never gets noticed. But there’s a private integrity that builds when I keep showing up. The quiet decision to get it done, just because I promised myself, sets the tone for everything else. This is the version of me I want steering the ship—steady, self-led, and dependable.
Excuses will always try to sneak back in, but they’re not running the show anymore. I still have days when I stall, days when the old patterns creep in, but I don’t let them set up camp. These rules aren’t magic. They’re just my way of making sure I don’t drift through another year, weighed down by my own old stories.
Every day, I get another shot to choose which side wins: the one that lets me off the hook, or the one that finally holds me to it. I know which one I’m betting on now.
If you’re tired of watching life speed past while you sit on the sidelines of your own intentions, it’s time to get stubborn with yourself. Stop making room for excuses. They’ve had enough of your life.
Leave a Reply