NOT ONLY DID I FALL OFF THE DIET WAGON, I DRAGGED IT INTO THE BUSH, SET IT ON FIRE AND USED THE INSURANCE MONEY TO BUY DONUTS.
Do I hear a collective 'YES!!!!!"
We've all been there.
Whatever your 'wagon' is....food, exercise, standing in your truth, alcohol, routine......we all have a wagon.
As human beings we like to think we are superior in our thinking , but it is our thinking that often is our downfall and the negative things we say to ourselves.
Let's say you do the whole 'I'm going to eat healthy' thing.
And you do.
For a while.
And then something doesn't go to plan. A wheel falls off and bounces away into the distance. Some hiccup happens. And then the whole 'healthy eating' goes out the window. Kale chips are thrown around like confetti as you race for the chocolate isle and secretly slink out through the self-checkout so no one is witness to your 'crime'.
And then you berate yourself. Tell yourself you'll do better next time. Feel better for that decision, even though you know you'll do it again.
Sticking to an exercise routine is hard.
Sticking to healthy eating is hard.
Changing your routine is hard.
Why?
Because of our thinking.
First of all we think we need to be perfect all the time and when we are not, we are hard on ourselves.
Secondly, we are often not always aware of our 'triggers' that have us fall off the wagon in the first place.
Awareness is the key. Being aware of what you are feeling leads you to be aware of what you are thinking. This then leads to an awareness of what you are doing.
Feeling leads to thinking. Thinking leads to action. Being aware of your feelings can help you be more conscious in your actions.
But no- one likes to feel. It's easier to bury those feelings beneath food or alcohol or shopping.
Feeling feels. 'Aint no one got time for that!
Start small. Just notice the feeling. Notice where it is in your body. Notice what it does for you.
Then build it up. Notice the feeling. Make a conscious choice about what you will do with it. Make a decision and act on it.
Then build it up again. Notice the feeling. Be aware of the choice you made last time you felt the feeling. Reflect on how that worked for you. Make a conscious choice about whether you will do the same as last time or something different this time.
The more you bring your feelings into your awareness, the easier it is to be mindful of your thinking and actions.
So then the next time you reach for the chocolate/alcohol/chips it will be because you made a conscious choice to do so, not because you were driven by some feeling you wanted to avoid.
Time for a cup of tea. Those donuts won't eat themselves!