Do You Need More Discipline?

Relying on discipline is futile, because discipline is exhaustible.

Here’s the thing:

Self-reverence, often confused with “discipline,” can feel really hard when you don’t have your full energy.

When you’re scattered.

When your self-care is lacking.

When your adrenals are burned out.

When you’re not getting enough of the right nutrients for your unique body.

When you’re leaking energy.

What are some common energy leaks?

Excess social media and TV, draining relationships, lack of boundaries, lack of alone time, and lack of self-care.

When you have your energy, it’s easier to honor yourself.

It’s easier to do things – like eating well and exercising – that most people would consider “disciplined” – except you’re not relying on discipline, because you genuinely want to do those things, from a place of overflowing energy and self-love.

When you have your energy, it’s easier to simply do what works for you: To nourish yourself rather than draining yourself.

This doesn’t require discipline, and relying on discipline can burn you out.

You might need discipline to climb Mt. Everest, but you don’t need it to nourish and care for yourself.

When a baby is at the edge of the couch, about to fall, it doesn’t take discipline to go grab them.

It’s the same thing when you’re in loving relationship with yourself – all aspects of you, and especially your inner child.

Your inner being.

Your soul.

If you’re relying on discipline, you’re going to get exhausted.

Studies have shown that willpower runs out, and we’ve all felt that phenomenon.

I used to use discipline and willpower to try to stop myself from overeating, and eventually, that approach always led to overeating and tunnel-vision binging.

When I stopped resisting food and creating the tension that comes with that resistance, I stopped overeating.

Today, it literally feels like I’ve lost the overeating “gene.”

First I had to let myself eat anything, in any amount, at any time.

After over a decade of restriction, I had to give myself full freedom to eat, even if it meant overeating at first.

I had to soothe myself and remind myself that I am safe, even if I overeat.

From there, I eventually got sick of feeling uncomfortably full, and completely stopped overeating.

Today, I no longer need “discipline” around food.

I can easily eat appropriate amounts for my body, without ever feeling deprived.

I can have tons of food in front of me and not overeat.

Overeating feels completely foreign to me.

Overeating would zap my energy, my life force.

Today I respect myself, I love myself, I have deep self-reverence, and food feels easy.

Getting to this place didn’t take discipline.

Surrendering to what actually feels good, on every level, beyond the fleeting moment.

Relaxing into that.

Allowing myself to feel good.

Allowing myself to be supported by food.

Allowing food to be my friend.

Becoming available to be my highest self, and in that, serving the greatest good of all.

So the questions to ask yourself are:

Where are my energy leaks?

They could be physical, emotional, energetic, or all of the above.

How can I close them up?

How can I respect and love myself?

We are not meant to be at war with ourselves or with food.

Your body wants to support you.

Food wants to support you.

Food exists to support you.

The Universe wants to support you.

Other people want to support you.

We’re designed to live in community.

No one and nothing is out to get you.

This is not a war zone… and even when it feels like it, self-love and self-reverence will make everything feel easier, and bring about resolution faster.

Move forward with love, first for yourself.

I love you.

You’re beautiful.

Have a magical day.

XO,
Lula

P.S. Letting Go by David Hawkins is a hugely helpful resource on this particular topic. It’s a book I return to over and over and always get so much out of.