Chronic overcommitters are experts at ignoring their bodies’ needs.
Our economic system and culture have taught is that having needs makes us weak. Some push it even further by saying that limits are negotiable. We learn to neglect ourselves and see health as commodity that may be traded for our careers, financial gains or accomplishments.
We live in a world where hard work is rewarded, whereas having needs and limitations can be seen as a shameful habit. Those messages affect how we set our own goals and how we measure up to others.
As adults we define people by their jobs – he’s an actor, she’s a mortician, categorising them based on the labor they provide to others. When we don’t have work to do, it may feel like we don’t have a reason to be.
It makes sense, of course, that many thinking along those lines. In our world a comfortable, safe life is far from being guaranteed. People who don’t (or cannot) work tend to suffer. As a result, many of live in a constant state of stress about our financial and professional future. Which means feeling a ton of anxiety about how much we are working. Retirees often become depressed and see their lives devoid of purpose.
But, at the same time we dream about having freedom to do whatever pleases us at the very moment. And believe that we are forced to continue making the hardworking choices – or letting our financial reason guide us. Most don’t even have a glimpse around, allowing to look outside of the box and dare to making dreams happen.
It might seem like a very simplified solution I am about to treat this very complex situation our culture is living in. But, as it happens so often, the answer lies in front of our eyes.
Let go of the fear.
Let go of everything
that you have been told.
Muster the courage to put everything aside and create your new own reality. Own that reality! And give yourself permission to no longer getting dominated by the previously ever-present fear!
You, and you alone,
decided to practice Hatha Yoga.
As you know it, it’s an awareness awakening technique, that uses physical exercise, so stick to the practice. Stick to the regular practice - don’t question it and move along.
Over time you will experience that it will help you letting go.
But there’s no magic pill to help you to take a shortcut to bliss.
You will have to practice on a regular basis.
Only once you have reached a certain depth in your practice, once you have let go of all expectations and assumptions rooted in the outer world, you will start feeling the benefits.
So, let go of your head!
And this will change your world.
XO, Ioana