By Jennifer Dixon MBA ERYT 500 – The other day, I was sitting down to start an email to my amazing studio members talking about the class changes to the schedule when I seriously had a moment of panic. It hit me, something as small as an email, got me to thinking about the million other things that I also need to be doing, you know like balancing the bank account, paying bills, cleaning my house, dinner (OH MY GOODNESS, I FORGOT DINNER!), you know the drill, and I nearly set the laptop down and hid. (seriously). Sometimes, the thought of EVERYTHING that has to be done is just so overwhelming I would just rather hide from it all than tackle it one project at a time.
There’s an old expression, and I’m probably butchering it because I couldn’t find it on google, (which means it doesn’t exist, right?) …but it is something like, “how do you eat a whole cow?” The answer? “One bite at a time…”(sorry all your vegetarian and vegan friends!)
So here I am, staring at a plate that is overflowing, and I’m proverbially taking a bite, just one bite, and hoping that this cow-sized list will slowly but surely get checked off.
Do you ever get this way???
Does the idea of the daunting, mounting list and responsibilities just get you so overwhelmed (perfect time for #adulting) that you just throw in the towel, turn on Netflix and binge until you can’t avoid whatever it is that has to be done? Or, are you one of those people that goes a million miles an hour and doesn’t stop until exhaustion comes?
I think I’m a little more like the later but today was definitely a I really want to watch Netflix sort of day.
As usual, this desire to hide got me to thinking…(and yes, it’s about yoga) Sometimes, it’s much easier to just decide:
- I’m just too busy
- I’m just too tired
- I just don’t like xyz (enter type of yoga class or even yoga teacher that you may or may not have tried like 5 years ago)
and then the next thing you know, you haven’t practiced all week, and then it’s longer and then it’s been ages since you dusted off that old yoga mat and moved with intention and breath and actually felt GOOD inside your skin.
No Judgement Here…Been there done that…Yup, even a Yoga Teacher.
Today, I invite you to join me and stop that downward spiral of wasted energetic thoughts.
Arrest them-the thoughts- and just take a moment to “take a bite” of whatever it is that is bearing down on you.
Then, after that one bite, make a commitment to yourself to do something that makes you feel better.
I hope it’s yoga.
Whatever it is, tackle one small thing today and then reward yourself for the effort. The next thing you know, that list will be checked off and you’ll feel like a superstar because you did what you needed to do and still did what you wanted to do.
What was my prize be for sending that email?
I got to spend 45 minutes turning off my brain while I watch Masterpiece Theater. With two little kids in the house, it’s the little things like TV stories of life in a simpler time that just lets me relax and be thankful for the blessing of this not so simple time.
What did you do today that helped get through that cow-sized list? What was your reward?
I’d love to hear how you make progress every single day-whether it’s about yoga or something else. Feel free to email me anytime at jennifer@thriveyogaandwellness.com. I promise I read all my emails and respond to them too! I love to hear about your successes and your near successes. Most of all I love to encourage you and help you stay focused and motivated to take care of yourself. After all, if you don’t, who will?