So why aren't you doing it?
Have you ever heard these words being spoken to you? Or better yet, do you ever say these words to yourself? It's a theme that I, as a Naturopathic Doctor, know well. It's not because I have many patients who are in this boat (I do), but because I have totally been in this boat myself. I was rowing this boat for a looooong time.
It's hard to admit. I am the one that clients book in with to get sage advice about nutrition, lifestyle and healthy living. I am the one who is counselling patients on how to cook certain dishes and I am giving tips about incorporating more veggies into their diet. So why was I not following my own advice?
I am not the only one doing this, right? I mean, have you ever scolded your partner about their unhealthy additction to icecream/cookies/cigarettes/alcohol and then turned around and given into your own vices?
Why?
From my own personal journey towards healthy living and from listening to my patients explain what is going on for them, I have some theories. It seems that the doing part of self-care can be one of the hardest parts of the whole thing. The follow through. I can make a mean list of all of the healthy foods I should buy. I can plan out a workout that would get me feeling fit in no time. But to actually DO it.... well. It's so much easier to stay the same.
Until it isn't.
And I think that is the key. We all need that day, that moment in time when we finally say OK. I am ready for this. I am ready to finally care for myself in a way that I haven't done before. I am finally ready to put myself first, to become self-first (not selfish) and create new patterns in my life. I am ready to know what it feels like to maximize the energy and joy that could come from this physical body.
Until that day, that moment, there are not enough cookbooks, websites, doctors, healers or friends out there that will truely turn you on to this necessary change. It has to come from within and you have to be fully ready for it.
In the meantime, if you are watching yourself choose this over that, knowing that this isn't really the best choice - please know that you are doing your best. Have some self-compassion. Know that one day, you may realize that enough is enough. It may be a random converstaion, a walk in the woods, an uncomfortable realization, who knows. But do know that when you are ready, we are here to lend a hand along the way back to vitality, joy and ease.
If you have struggled in this way and have had that moment of change happen, I would love to hear your story! Share this in the comments please!
Comments