The One Word I Cut Out of my Vocabulary that changed everything
We all have that little devil on our shoulder at times. Telling us we can’t do something, we aren’t good enough, we don’t “look” a certain way, don’t eat that, do that…
My devil usually tells me “you should go to that audition”, “you should go to that class”, “you should post more things like her”, “you should not eat that”.
Should.
With all the things I do for work; dance, personal training, teach fitness classes, have a health and lifestyle blog it is VERY easy to get wrapped up and compare yourself to others. Of course, that can be said for anyone who has... a life. I do believe it is a bit more challenge for those who work in a field where their body and looks are on display.
So often find myself looking at someone else; a dancer, a yoga instructor, food blogger, etc. and think to my self “I should do what she is doing”, “I should look that like”, “I should….”
This month one of my intentions is to not compare myself to people on instagram. A few months ago when I did my digital detox I came to the realization that I was putting so much pressure on myself to do certain things or allowing myself to make decisions based on how I saw others live there lives. I noticed how often I used the word "should" when making decisions and what a negative connotation and power the word had on me. When I would plan my day and say to myself “I should do..” I should…”. I felt so much pressure and it made me want to do it less. I wasn’t enjoying going to a dance class or going to the gym. I was questioned everything I was putting on social media. Did I want to make that post or did I think I should have?
It came to me in a meditation one morning, should… what a weight it had. I thought about how often I use “should” and connected how negative I felt. Why did I think I SHOULD do, look or act a certain way? I was comparing myself with everyone else and assumed I need to take certain steps to accomplish what they had.
I knew it was no good for me so I cut out “should” cold turkey! I started filling my days with things that served me, things I wanted to do. Some days I don’t go to the gym and instead take an extra dance or yoga class. If I want to work on my blog and do a quick 15 min run thats ok! I don’t have to do EVERYTHING every day! Its exhausting and almost impossible! PLUS I realized when I started to be more honest with myself my audience responded so much better with what I was posting about. I was more happy and enjoyed how I spent my days. Life is so much more enjoyable when you don’t have guilt or pressure on your daily tasks.
There is SO much information out there about diets and different ways of eating its very easy to think you “should” or “shouldn’t” eat a certain way. Everyone is different and there isn’t a one size fits all diet plan. If you struggle with not knowing what you “should” and “shouldn’t” eat this will be so powerful for you. Ignore what others are doing, tune into how YOUR body feels and look at what foods make you FEEL good. If you need more try an elimination diet and slowly add 1 food at a time and build a “diet” that works for you and your body.
I know this is something that everyone can resonate with since we are so bombarded with social media and comparing ourselves with others. I recommend trying it; remove should from your vocabulary. See what happens and let me know!