This week I had a few “aha” moments. By Wednesday, I was already tired of the “aha” moments because honestly, it felt like I was being pranked.There were some things I was putting off at home so I tackled those on Monday and honestly I felt like my mind need to declutter more than the house. I also had a conversation with a friend which led to another conversation with another friend which ultimately led to a mini existential life crisis. But I am here and writing so I survived!
I believe it is important to slow down every now and then and take stock of your life. Just a check-in with yourself to figure out if you are on the right track. What are the goals you have been slacking off on, what have you accomplished or what do you need to stop pursuing. Check-ins are personal and need to make sense to you. When things are going well in our lives, we tend to bend the rules a bit and not be as strict. The important thing is not to forget all rules and the structures we put in place for our lives.
If you grew up with strict parents, you will be very familiar with discipline. The definition of discipline is the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience. Discipline is also seen as order. Rules were put in place to create a certain order, a way of functioning. Self- discipline is the ability to control one’s feelings and overcome one’s weaknesses. In essence, you are teaching yourself a code of behavior that is beneficial to you and your life.
Last week I discussed sacrifice and an example I used was sacrificing an hour of sleep to wake up earlier. So self- discipline is knowing your goal is a healthier lifestyle and sacrificing that hour so you can workout to reach your goal. In order to achieve our goals we need self- discipline. Figure out which goals you want to accomplish and give them time frames to be completed. Then based on the goals you have, create daily or weekly habits that will help you accomplish the goals you established. Once you know what habits you need to have, then be diligent and focused to complete those habits.
It is all about making the right choices in life. We may slip up because we’re human but that is why it is important to check in with yourself regularly and adjust what has not been working. If there is no order, then there is disorder. Self- discipline allows you to create the organized world you want to live in. Envision your perfect day and then build a schedule and habits around that. Envision where you want to be in five years or even next year and build your schedule and habits around that. What do you need to do now to become the person you want to be?
Self- discipline is not easy but it is rewarding. I was never an early riser. I am a night person. But since I have two kids, one being a toddler, it is difficult to get time for myself once they are awake. Now most days I wake up earlier than them. During that hour and a half, I am able to have a cup of coffee or tea in peace, complete my morning routine and water the plants. I actually need to wake up even earlier but that is something I struggle with. I have also learned to complete as much chores the night before. I enjoy working out but again, with the kids, I am unable to commit to a gym or Crossfit. So I do at- home workouts. The problem is I haven’t been consistent. But I do have a schedule, and that is how I know I have not been keeping up.
Now I know what I need to work on. If I were to wake up an additional 45 minutes earlier, it would allow me to work out and I would kill two birds with one stone. There is a quote that says discipline is doing what needs to be done even when you don’t want to do it. It starts in our minds. If we look at it as unpleasant or give up because we don’t want to, then we won’t accomplish anything. Self discipline is self- love. When you love someone or some thing, you take care of it. Parents love their kids and want the best for them, spouses want the best for each other and animal lovers want the best for animals. So if you really love yourself, you should also want the best for yourself. Living a healthy lifestyle reduces your chances of health complications and leads to a longer life. You also look amazing. I am not saying you can’t enjoy junk food occasionally but when the exception becomes the rule, then it’s time to re-evaluate.
This week I hope you take some time to be honest with yourself and see where you have not been loving yourself as you should. Then make a plan! We all have things we need to work on, no one is perfect. The difference will be whether or not you decide to improve your self- discipline and self- love. It takes 21 days to build a habit so commit and watch your life change. I believe in you. You got this!
MotherLovingDiva 