The Sneaky Ways Your Environment Is Holding You Back

Have you ever set a goal—maybe to eat healthier, work out more, or finally prioritise your well-being—only to find yourself slipping back into old habits?

It’s frustrating, right?

You want to stay consistent, but something always seems to get in the way.

Here’s something most people don’t realise: your environment is one of the biggest influences on your success—often more than willpower or motivation.

It’s not just about self-discipline or “wanting it bad enough.” The truth is, your surroundings—what you see, hear, and experience every day—are shaping your behaviours, often without you even noticing. And if your environment is working against you, it’s making your goals so much harder to reach.

Let’s talk about the sneaky ways your environment could be holding you back—and what to do about it.

1. Your Home Is Designed for Old Habits, Not New Goals

Take a look around your home. Is it set up to support your goals, or does it encourage your old habits?

• If your kitchen is full of processed snacks but healthy options are buried in the fridge, what are you more likely to grab?
• If your workout gear is hidden in the back of your closet, how easy is it to skip exercise? 
• If your couch and TV are the centre of your space but there’s nowhere inviting to move your body, how often will you choose activity?

✅ Solution: Make small shifts to design your environment for success. Put a fruit bowl on the counter. Lay out your workout clothes the night before. Rearrange your space so your healthier choices are the easiest ones to make.

2. The People Around You Influence Your Habits

We become like the people we spend the most time with. If your closest friends, family, or coworkers have habits that don’t align with your goals, it can be really tough to make changes.

• If your coworkers always order fast food, it’s harder to bring a healthy lunch.
• If your friends don’t value fitness, skipping workouts feels more normal.
• If your family expects you to eat certain foods out of tradition, it can be tough to say no.

✅ Solution: You don’t need to cut people out of your life, but you do need to be intentional about surrounding yourself with people who support your growth. Find an accountability partner, join a group with like-minded people, or communicate your goals with loved ones so they understand what you’re working toward.

3. Your Digital Environment Is Reinforcing Old Patterns

Your phone, social media, and the content you consume all shape your mindset - often without you realising it. If you’re constantly seeing messages that normalise skipping workouts, emotional eating, or the idea that “change is too hard,” those beliefs sink in.

• Following influencers who promote extreme diets can create unrealistic expectations.
• Seeing ads for junk food all day makes cravings more frequent.
• Scrolling on your phone before bed disrupts sleep, making you less motivated the next day.

✅ Solution: Clean up your digital environment. Unfollow accounts that don’t align with your goals. Follow people who inspire you. Limit screen time before bed. Your online space should support, not sabotage, your progress.

4. Your Daily Routines Are Keeping You Stuck

The way you structure your day is either reinforcing old habits or helping you build new ones.

• Do you start your morning in a rush, making it hard to prioritise breakfast or movement?
•  Do you hit snooze multiple times, setting the tone for a chaotic day?
• Do you default to watching TV in the evening instead of preparing meals or winding down for better sleep?

✅ Solution: Small adjustments create big changes. Set a consistent wake-up time. Prep your meals in advance. Create a short morning routine that puts you in control of your day instead of reacting to it.

5. Your Work Environment May Be Draining You

If you spend most of your day at work, your habits there matter.

• Are you sitting all day without movement breaks?
• Is your workspace stressful, leading to emotional eating or energy crashes?
• Do you rely on caffeine and sugar to push through the day?

✅ Solution: Set reminders to move every hour. Pack nourishing snacks. Create a workspace that minimises stress and distractions so you’re not reaching for unhealthy coping mechanisms.

So, my friend, if you’ve been feeling stuck, it’s not because you lack motivation or discipline. It’s because your environment has been quietly working against you. The good news? You have the power to change it.

Small shifts in your surroundings create massive changes in your habits - and your results.

If you’re ready to set up your environment for success, stay consistent, and finally reach your goals without relying on willpower alone, my 12 Week Program helps you do exactly this. We don't just cover Mindset, Movement & Nutrition, we look at your environment, and really do a full life overhaul. Come join over 300 women who have told me "You've changed my life".  Book a Discovery Call with me here: https://www.andrearobertson.health/12WeekProgram

Because when you change your environment, you change your life.

Andrea x