Re: The E word...what's holding you back?

November 15, 2011

Bravo McKella and so right on too. - Katcha

>

> This is really off the exercise topic, but I really have to say it.

>

> I'm the one with the novel and sunny studio, which is the spare room in my

2-bedroom apartment that happens to have a south-facing window. This has seemed

to strike a chord with a lot of people, maybe because it seems luxurious to

indulge one's creativity this way when you have so many other important things

to do.

>

> I just thought this was interesting because these luxuries are my work and

dream, and my journey to allow myself to chase those dreams is so intertwined

with my journey to free myself from food obsession. When I finally listened to

my body and spirit, I left an awful job/living situation and gave myself room to

heal and reconnect with my creativity. When I did that, IE " clicked " and I

dropped to my natural weight. And I mean dropped, 30 pounds in about five months

without dieting. When I don't listen to my body and allow other things to push

my boundaries like fear, worrying what other people think, doing what I

" should " , etc, two things happen: I eat more and create less. Self-care and

reflection is kind of a weird concept in our society, but it's vital to my

creativity and well-being around food. It's a requirement to allow myself to

chase my lifelong dream of being an artist and writer.

>

> Do you have a dream like this that you're keeping from yourself? Are you

eating it? I was afraid for years, and I ate it when I binged and I carried it

on my body. When I let go, I finally heard the call to go for it, and I design

my life around self-care and my creative work. Everyone needs a creative outlet

whether that's their work or not, and giving yourself the gift of the time and

space to do so is an often-neglected part of self-care.

>

> It's not a luxury, it's a necessity.

>

> McKellaa

November 15, 2011

Yes! That sounds exactly right to me!

I hope I wasn't implying any criticism in my earlier responses. It really seems

like we should ALL be doing that--honoring both our bodies and our spirits.

Very interesting connections between different kinds of self-care. It is SO

important.

Thanks!

Tilley

> >

> > " And I must say I am envious of folks who are working on novels, and who

have a sunny studio to paint in..... "

> >

> > Oh me, too! How divine. Well, all this talk about intuitive exercise got

me to really think about what's holding me back. A lot of it is the same old

" rules " that I'd previously carried around about food. Just like the idea that

one must eat at a certain time and a certain amount, I had the rule that

exercise can only be done at certain times. I used to exercise during my lunch

break. Lately I have been trying to get out there for a walk once a day.

However, I was really having a hard time doing so at noon. Well today it dawned

on me that it doesn't have to be at noon. Duh! There are times when I really

need a break from work and would love to go for a walk, but previously I had not

allowed this because it was at the " wrong " time. Well, today I needed a break at

1:15 and I took it and had a lovely walk to the national sculpture garden. So

happy I did it. No struggling with myself. So from now on I will try to move

when the spirit hits me. Thanks!

> >

> > Mimi

> >

>

November 15, 2011