I’m far, far from being a health and wellness guru, but I do try to take care of myself. Over the years, many people have asked me about some of my healthy living routines or my writing schedule, but when I start to lay it all out for them, most people shrug it off and say, “Well, it sounds like you’re just more disciplined than I’ll ever be.” But that word doesn’t resonate with me.
To me, the word “disciplined” sounds like a punishment. It evokes images of a Dickensian teacher standing over me with a ruler insisting I keep my head down and do my work. I wouldn’t say it’s easy to maintain my healthy living routines at all, but doing so never feels punitive to me. I don’t adhere to my routines because I should, I do so because of how much better I feel when I do.
I also don’t respond well to words like “strict.” It’s true I stick pretty strongly to the diet that works best for me, but that’s not because I’m being strict with myself. It’s actually because I’m enjoying myself. I enjoy being free of the sometimes-debilitating stomach aches that once followed nearly every meal. I don’t “force” myself to carve out time for my creative work, I look forward to it.
I also acknowledge my weaknesses (and there are many) and recognize where I could improve both my health and work habits. There are certain types of exercise, for example, I know would benefit me, yet I don’t currently do them. And I’m once again reading a book about productivity because I know I’ve strayed into some habits that are no longer serving me. I don’t let myself off the hook by focusing exclusively on the things I currently am doing. Instead, I hold space for the possibility that at some point I will add some of those other good habits into my daily routine too.
In the meantime, I give myself some grace. It’s hopeful and even exciting to think I might one day do better in those areas, but in the meantime, there’s also nothing wrong with feeling good about what I’m currently doing well.
Feeling good about yourself is a much better motivator than feeling bad, wouldn’t you say? Far better than any discipline you could impose.
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