"Well, I just blew it...again."

We've all been there. In the middle of trying to pick up a good habit or get rid of a bad habit, we blow it. We mess up - sometimes really badly. And then we feel horrible and become incredibly unkind to ourselves.

I had a realization the other day as I was thinking about how I had just blown it in trying to get rid of a bad habit, that whether you are trying to start or end a habit, it is a process. It takes time. It requires patience through the journey and forgiveness for the inevitable mistakes.

Sometimes these bumps in the road come from forgetfulness. Sometimes, it's a lack of organization. Sometimes it is simply that we live busy and stressful lives and don't have time for everything even though we would like to.

Whatever the case, it is important to learn to give yourself grace, love, forgiveness, and another chance for the times you don't get it right. Don't beat yourself up; that will only cost you precious time you won't get back. Instead, look at the progress you have made, and pick things back up from there. You don't have to always start all the way over or be upset with yourself over mistakes we have probably all made from time to time.

Allow yourself time to learn, time to grow, time to adjust to a new lifestyle with a new good habit (or without an old bad habit, whatever the case may be). It isn't going to happen overnight, so don't expect perfection from yourself. That's not realistic or healthy.

Be patient and allow the process to happen in a healthy way. Don't give up on your plans, dreams, goals--or on yourself either. You're a work in progress, and you are doing better than you realize you are.

We all blow it. We all can get plagued by guilt and shame for our wrongdoings. But we should all be ready to be understanding and kind and forgiving to ourselves, so that we can improve ourselves, and not beat ourselves up.