Have you ever renovated a home or lived with someone who has?

If you have, you’ll know this: you don’t pick your curtains before you’ve poured the slab. You start with a strong foundation—then you worry about the fixtures.

And yet, when it comes to our health, so many women are trying to pick the curtains first.

We’re sold fancy supplements, nervous system tools, 7-step morning routines, mobility devices, hormone-balancing powders, tracking apps… before we’ve even nailed the basics.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed—like you’re doing everything and still getting nowhere—it’s not a failure. It’s a sign you’re building on shaky ground.

Why Health Feels So Complicated Right Now

I call it health overwhelm. And I see it in women all the time.

They come to me exhausted, burned out, unsure where to begin—but still thinking the answer lies in just trying harder. So they sign up for the new planner, buy the supplements, follow that influencer’s protocol…

And still feel flat.

There’s so much noise in the wellness space right now. Everyone seems to have an opinion. Your barista is talking about fasting, your school mum friend is doing a 30-day gut reset, and your feed is full of contradictory advice.

Lift heavy? Walk 10,000 steps? Fast? Eat more carbs? Less carbs?

No wonder you’re overwhelmed. You’re being asked to pick curtains while no one’s helped you pour the slab.

The Hidden Reason You’re Stuck

Here’s what makes this even trickier: once your nervous system is in a stressed, overstimulated state, your brain seeks out more complicated solutions.

We tell ourselves, “Maybe I just need to find the right supplement” or “I should try that new gym program” or “I’ll start again Monday with a better plan.”

But none of those things stick when your foundations aren’t in place.

It’s like installing $300 curtains in a house that hasn’t been built yet.

So how do we strip it all back and start where it counts?

Step 1: Be Mindful of What You’re Consuming

Not just food—but information.

When you’re feeling low or stuck, your brain is vulnerable. Scrolling social media in that state is like grocery shopping when you’re starving—you’ll reach for anything that promises a quick fix.

Start curating your feed like you curate your meals. Choose voices that ground you. Unfollow the ones that make you feel like your life is a “before” photo.

If it leaves you feeling behind, broken, or like you need to buy more stuff to be well—it’s not for you.

Step 2: Focus on the Foundations

This is where the 80/20 rule comes in. 20% of your habits will give you 80% of your results. But these habits are boring. They’re not shiny. They don’t look impressive online.

But they work.

For movement:
Are you moving most days? Even 10 minutes counts. You don’t need the perfect program. You need consistency.

For nutrition:
Are you eating at regular intervals? Drinking enough water? Stabilising your energy? Start there before you worry about macros or meal timing.

For sleep:
Are you going to bed and waking at the same time most days? That’s your starting point. Not supplements or gadgets.

For self-care:
Have you had a shower today? Stepped outside? Had a proper conversation with another human? Don’t overthink it. Start simple.

Step 3: Remember—Foundations Aren’t “One and Done”

This is the difference between consistency and perfection.

Consistency isn’t about showing up every single day in the same way. It’s about the zoomed out view. How did you go over a month? Were you showing up, even imperfectly?

Your habits are like dimmable lights. Sometimes you’ll be full beam—doing your strength, getting your walks in, eating well. Other times, you’ll need to dial it down because life’s thrown something your way.

That’s not failure. That’s life.

You don’t need to start again. You just need to go back to the slab.

Final Thoughts: Get Back to What Matters

Before you sign up for the next challenge or wellness plan, ask yourself:

Am I getting fancy before I’ve got the basics?

Because as lovely as curtains are, they don’t hold up a house. The slab does.

You deserve to feel strong and steady in your body. And you don’t need to do it all to get there. Just come back to what matters—and build from the ground up.

Ready to Strip Things Back?

Send me a DM on Instagram @glowwithlibby and tell me:

• What’s one foundation you’re committing to this week?
  • Or—what’s one “curtain” you’re going to gently set aside?

Let’s make it simple again.