Whatcha Thinking?
Posted by Janelle Brown on
One morning a couple of weeks ago I was driving to my early morning workout session. It is a bit of a drive for these one-on-one personal training appointments, so I was feeling resentful and burdened. It was such a chore to get up so early and get my butt out of bed…yada yada yada.
Then, as I sat at the 4-way stop down the street, I realized what I was thinking. Wait, I am the one who chose to make this appointment. I am the one who chose to schedule an early morning appointment at this particular gym.
No one forced me to make these decisions. I alone am responsible for the situation I am in this morning. But wait, was it a situation? Was it a chore? Slowly I realized that I had once again stumbled upon a mental trap I am very susceptible to falling into. Maybe you are too.
I often find myself feeling put-upon when I am doing something that shakes me out of my comfort zone. I know that what I’m undertaking is a good thing to do, and, obviously, it’s something that I WANT to do. However, when I am not tuned in to the inspired part of my psyche that wants to keep propelling me forward, and I am just coasting, I find I feel a touch of resentment towards those same actions. Odd, isn’t it? Experts would say that those feelings were the natural response of your ego. The job of the ego, if you remove all the negative connotations that having a big ego has in our culture, is to keep you safe.
Some would say that the ego keeps you small, it keeps you from achieving greater things, and it helps us to survive.
Do you want to simply survive or do you want more?
It seems to follow, that we need to watch for those little lies our minds will tell us when we are trying to be more than what we currently are. Really tune in to what we are thinking in any given situation that we find ourselves resisting positive changes. Recognize the thoughts, analyze them to see if they are warnings to be heeded, or just see them as the ego trying to keep you in your safe zone. The zone that is the status quo, that is familiar and comfortable. For me, I plan on challenging those early morning yada, yada, yadas, facing my fears, and moving beyond the mental trap. It’s the only way forward.
Can you identify thoughts or beliefs that are holding you back?
Hi Janelle,
Perfect timing for me! I have been through the same thing, choosing to better my lifestyle then whining about what I am doing. What a “smack my forehead” moment! Thank you for this blog, I will definitely refer back to this often when I have those moments!!
The thoughts and beliefs that (I think) are holding me back is feeling not good enough. From my first day of kindergarten to my last day of high school I was made fun of and bullied because of my height, weight, and glasses. And, then, family members “you have such a pretty face, if only you’d ____” (fill in the blank, but it was mostly “lose weight”) That kind of stuff has stayed with me all these years. When you’re told something multiple times a day, after a while you start believing it. ?♀️?
This is something I have been working on lately. I find it so interesting how difficult it can be to push ourselves to do the things we want. I too have found myself resentful and burdened on my way to the gym. Like you said, I’m the one that wanted this, I’m the one that picked that gym and that time. I always work on reminding myself of how I feel on my way home. I am so energized and empowered by what my body can do! If only I felt that way on the way there! Lol
Thank You Janelle. I’m in the process of leaving an emotionally abusive relationship and moving into my own place. This is definitely out of my comfort zone but I know I’ll be ok ?
Boy how I can relate to the resentment feelings. Often try to feel blessed that I have the food available to cook, the kids to be a taxi for, the problem of having too many clothes that cause never ending laundry duty and a hard working husband that is never home to help because he provides for us, but I find myself resentful all the time, poor me…blah, blah. Our first world problems are so trivial and are usually the result of having too much of this or that. So your perspective is great and I will remind myself of your words. Glad to know we are all more alike than different. I have followed your family journey since the start and always respect your opinion and real ness. You are strong and independent and don’t mess around with the drama. I am also on a weight loss/lifestyle change journey and find inspiration thru yours. Hope I bump into you in Vegas when my daughter and I come thru on the way to a St George dance competition (where I hope to run into others in your crew perhaps) in a few weeks.
Keep up the good work and never change!