The Space Between Knowing and Doing

I’ve spent so much of my life knowing exactly what I should do to take care of myself, whether it’s setting boundaries, prioritizing my mental health, or simply resting when my body asks for it. The problem is, that knowing what’s best isn’t always enough. I think about how often we know the right steps but can’t seem to take them, as if something invisible holds us back. It’s this space, the gap between knowing and doing, that feels like the hardest part of self-care. It’s not that we don’t want to do better, but that something in us resists making those changes. 

This new year, I’ve been reflecting on how I can close that gap, even if it means taking the smallest steps. The act of just showing up for myself, even in little ways, is progress. Maybe it’s as simple as acknowledging that I deserve to take a break, calling a friend when I need to talk, or even writing this to share my experiences. The space between knowing and doing might never fully disappear, but it’s in the effort to cross it that real change happens.

All my love,

Olamide from MANI.