ALIGN: The First Step to Change – by Francesca Nardelli

Francesca Nardelli
Apr 1
2 min read

We talk a lot about balance, wellness, and transformation—but none of it happens without alignment. Before you can build anything new, before you can see change, before you can shift your habits, you have to align with what you truly want.

Alignment isn’t just a vague concept. It’s the foundation of real progress. It’s the difference between mindlessly going through the motions and intentionally moving in the direction of the life you want.

So, how do you align?

You start with awareness, journaling, and a mental commitment.

This is the first step in my challenge program, and it’s where everything begins.

What Does It Mean to Align?

Alignment is about clarity. It’s about stripping away the distractions, the noise, the outside expectations, and getting real with yourself about what you want. It’s making sure your thoughts, actions, and goals are all moving in the same direction.

Think about it like this: If you’re walking with one foot on the sidewalk and the other in the street, you’re unbalanced. It’s harder to move forward. When you align, both feet are on the same path—strong, steady, and intentional.

When you’re out of alignment, you feel it:

You’re stuck in cycles of indecision.
You feel drained, frustrated, or disconnected.
You set goals but don’t follow through.
You crave change but don’t know where to start.

When you’re in alignment, everything shifts:

You feel clear and focused.
You stop self-sabotaging.
Your choices start reflecting your real desires.
Momentum happens naturally.

How to Get Aligned: The First Step

The first thing you need is awareness. That means looking at your current reality and asking yourself: Am I truly aligned with what I want? Or am I operating on autopilot, following routines that don’t serve me?

This is where journaling comes in.

Grab a notebook and take 10 minutes to write—no filters, no judgment. Answer these questions honestly:

What do I really want? (Not what sounds good, not what others expect—what do YOU want?)
Where am I out of alignment? (Look at your habits, routines, mindset—what isn’t serving you?)
What would my life look like if I fully committed to this change? (Visualize it. Get specific.)

Making the Mental Commitment

Once you have clarity, the next step is commitment. This isn’t about perfection. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s simply about making the decision to move forward.

Alignment happens when your actions start matching your intentions. When you start choosing the habits, thoughts, and routines that reflect where you want to go.

So today, make a decision. Write it down. Own it.

Your alignment is the first step toward transformation. The moment you decide to get real with yourself, you’ve already started.