*I still haven’t heard from the giveaway winner. Check out the post to see if it was you!!
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There’s nothing like waking up on a sunny morning and following the same routine day in and day out.
Wait, that doesn’t sound right? Life gets pretty boring if we’re constantly a slave to rituals, routines, and to-do lists.
As comfortable as it is when to live this way, it’s a lot more fun if we try new things. I used to get such “pleasure” from eating the same things everyday.
I didn’t like trying new recipes or switching up meals; everything had to be the same.
ezekiel bread, coconut oil, sun warrior protein powder, almond milk, stevia, cinnamon, strawberries
Why mess with something if it works? I didn’t even realize that this mindset had me stuck.
This thinking reminds me of times when I really struggled with disordered eating. I was so stuck and didn’t want to change, because I believed my disorder was benefiting me. It helped me cope with my out of control feelings, my sadness and guilt.
It felt normal to be tired, hungry, weak and sad. Living this way, and accepting these symptoms leaves us in a situation where we are essentially “stuck”.
By believing we are destined for this kind of life is simply silly and untrue.
bowl of spaghetti squash, marinara, zucchini, and a turkey burger
The longer we live with disordered habits, the more we accept this is the life we will live forever.
Since we learn to cope using our disorders, we think it’s helping us, and wind up overlooking the negative symptoms they leave us with.
It’s hard to imagine what life would be like without our disorder, since it has been acting as a protective mechanism.
But, in return, it leaves us in a state of depression, which attracts more negative energy, therefore making it easier for us to revolve our lives around food, exercise, doctors and body image.
A better life? Simply, not possible. That’s what it feels like when you are so involved.
sunbutter protein muffin with a sliced apple on the side
We have the option to live a great and fulfilling life. If we just work through the dark times and tough issues, and see the light at the end of the tunnel. Living in such a negative way is not normal.
The only way we can truly live is by dealing with these problems head on. It will be uncomfortable, there will be doubts and uncertainty.
It’s worth the change and temporary uncomfortable feelings. Life is beautiful on the other side.
Living a positive life filled with love, gratitude and appreciation is so much better than living in pain.
Leave all the sadness, hunger, and fatigue in the past. When you change things for the better, it will be hard. That’s the truth.
a lovely cup of sleigh ride tea is always a welcome addition before climbing into bed
Being a slave to food and exercise is not enjoyment, even if it feels that way.
Sometimes, the things we believe we are benefiting from are really just helping us stay stuck. We are deserving of more enjoyment from life. Accepting a new life with balance, choices and happiness is living.
Life is a journey; filled with mistakes, new experiences, change, beauty, compassion, and love. Not living by a schedule or routines.
Do you like trying new things?
When is the last time you got out of your comfort zone, and what did you do?
How do you determine whether your routine is actually healthy or not?
Hope everyone has an amazing day!
About Lisa
I find balance is key to determining if my routine is healthy or not.
Another beautiful post! I have to agree with you that sometimes I tend to hold onto to these negative feelings because it is safe for me but I need to start stepping outside my comfort zone! Imagine how awesome it could feel to be nice to myself for a change! Love all the meals too as usual! That spaghetti squash bowl sounds amazing!
The last time I got out of my comfort zone was when I joined CrossFit. I had never done something like that all alone and I was scared. I ended up loving it/ joining and have never looked back.
I determine if my routine is healthy or not by how happy I really feel. I know if I’m constantly counting calories, feeling anxious/nervous around food, refuse to stray away from my current food routine, force myself to work out when I don’t want to…I know that doesn’t sound like happiness to me and something needs to be altered.
I won! Yay! I haven’t had much time to read many blogs the past couple days, so I’m just catching it now. I’ll email you this morning.
Great post! I think it’s important to challenge ourselves to get out of our comfort zones and routines sometimes. I am definitely one of those that can easily stay within my comfort zone and be okay with it, but I know it’s not helping me grow either. Challenging ourselves is always a good thing!
very beautifully put! and all so true
It’s very hard to figure out if a routine is a result of feeling obligated to stick to it or a true desire to do so. When I went to see a nutritionist for the first time, I was so annoyed when she tried to tell me to eat something different for lunch other than my lovely salads. I freaking LOVED (love) those things and wanted nothing else for lunch – I truly wanted it! But then she suggested adding cheese to my salad, and I didn’t want to. That was because of the eating disorder telling me the fat in the cheese would make me gain weight. Figuring out if it’s enjoyment or obligation is hard when it comes to routine.
I am still working on being OK with breaking my exercise routine. There are some days when I work out and I really just don’t want to or feel tired. I’ve been getting better though at keeping it low impact on those days, or being OK with skipping a workout if I don’t have time for it.
With food though I feel like less of a slave to routine. I eat something different for dinner every night and switch up my breakfasts and lunchtime salad’s ingredients. I go with what I’m craving and am much happier for it!
I do like to try new things and I should try them more often, but I’m not going to lie – I am very routine-oriented. I like staying in my comfort zone….but when I do branch out/try new things I never regret it!
I ran my first half marathon last month! That was definitely stepping out of the comfort zone
this is a great post. sometimes i have to force myself out of a routine so that i do not fall into a slump of undereating and over exercising! thanks for sharing.
I say I love to try new things and I’m flexible… but that’s really when it comes to variety. If you try to mess with my scheduling I have a hard time dealing with it. Something to work on!
That sunflower butter muffin looks awesome!
I am usually reluctant at first to try new things, but I am usually happy I did! Living out side the comfort zone rocks
I’m such a creature of habit and I’m terrible about switching things up. I have been trying to branch out of my comfort zone. It has been hard, but so worth it!
Do you write your posts just, like, directly at me??
Yah, I’m a slave to my rituals & routines, & if myself or others get in the way of me following them through, even for 1 single day, well let’s just say there’s hell to pay in my brain . It’s exhausting, & not really fun. But the majority of the time I just think I was destined to live this way.
But it is a real fear of mine that change, breaking my routine, spontaneity, & all that stuff, will lead me to being faaaaat:/, yeah. Oh logic, where ARE you??..
Xxx
Thank you for this post Lisa! It is so true that those of us suffering from eating disorders get stuck into a “safe” routine; god-forbid a meal is mixed up or ingredient not available… This past Monday I had an experience that was somewhat liberating, at times difficult, but overall quite enjoyable. It was my sisters birthday, and there is usually only one restaurant I will go to, otherwise its my nightly meal at home. I only allow myself “treat” days twice a month, and this time my sister did not want to go to that restaurant. At first asking for a plate of steamed vegetables, with minimal oil and no salt at an italian restaurant was not received well (though it should have been…) The waitress gave an attitude, and I thought I would wind up getting a small plate of steamed broccoli whilst my family stuffed themselves with homemade pasta and seafood. After some collaboration, the kitchen sent me out a delicious plate of fresh vegetables with a side of their amazing marinara… something I haven’t had in so long. Although it was a small step, I feel like the experience allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, and thoroughly enjoy my meal without comparing it to “what I could have been eating at home.” I now think that I will be able to venture out of my meal-routines a little more freely in the future, and although it may seem minute to some, those small steps are keys to truly healing ourselves. Thanks again, and glad to see you’re realizing there is more to life than counting calories and exercising, we all deserve to live and love life. Take care! (PS: I was thinking about ordering Davids Tea’s since there are no stores around me, what are you’re favorites; is the sleigh ride good?)
Oh girl, how I can relate to all of this. I don’t remember a whole heck of a lot from the days where I was really sick, and I’m pretty sure that a lot of that comes down to the fact that every day was pretty much the same. Wake up, eat, obsess about food, eat, obsess about food, eat… etc. And yeah, I honestly believed that that was the life. Heck, I remember looking forward to my next meal -so- much that I didn’t have a problem putting all my time and effort into food prep because it was my whole world. It wasn’t until I was basically forced to abandon my routine that I realized how much more exciting life was when you try new things. That and you come to see that nothing ‘bad’ happens if you live spontaneously. It’s definitely not easy, though. Big hugs hun <3
Hi Lisa… your spread looks really tasty… would you mind giving the recipe… eye balled..
I’m definitely a routine person! The last time I stepped out of my comfort zone was when I resigned from my job a few weeks ago. Guess what? The world didn’t end : )
I’ve always been a routine type person. I’d eat the same day in & day out, wake up at the same time, do chores the same time.. yeah it was bad. Lately (well since being diagnosed with HA), I’ve started to slow down & just let life “flow”. I don’t eat a smoothie every morning for breakfast (don’t think i don’t have one everyday though haha). Now some mornings I’ll have overnight oats, cereal/yogurt, pancakes or heck even lunch meals. I’m enjoying and embracing all the changes
The way I decide whether or not something is helping or not is ultimately looking at whether it is getting in the way of your ability to function in all areas of your life: work, family, friends. If your routine is damaging these things ( because a routine should actually be enhancing these things) then it has become a problem.
Also, flexibility is also a good measure. If you can never deviate from a routine then the routine is no longer serving you, rather, you have become a slave to the routine. You are so right that people create these rituals and routines as a way to manage their feelings, anxiety , etc., but they end up being controlled by the very thing that was at first supposed to help them. You have said this very well. Time to break free and live the life that you are meant to have!!! Xo
Love you!
i think we often use a disorder or an illness as a crutch. a crutch that keeps us from thriving. It’s like we cling to it for comfort. NO MORE! break out! yes ma’am!
<3