My husband and I had gotten into a routine that could have been a case study for The Path of Least Resistance. Even though we agreed that we were wasting hours every evening watching movies and stupid TV shows on Hulu, neither of us felt like doing anything different. In fact, most of the time we did not want to do anything different, because we were tired or bummed out and we just wanted to do nothing. This pattern, along with issues with my work, had me so depressed that I had finally broken down.
Do what you do not want to do.
Over the weekend, Doug and I talked about what we really wanted for ourselves. Did we really want fatigue, listlessness and expanding waistlines? Well, no. Duh.
But really, no, we did not want those, and we finally accepted the fact that we would have to change our behaviors if we wanted to experience something else.
For the first time in a long time, we sat face to face, looked into each other's eyes and talked about our deep desires for our daily life, our careers, and family. And, we decided that even though we didn't want to change our routine, we would do it.
Do what you do not want to do.
To support ourselves with this change, we moved Doug's office upstairs and made his old office into a workout room, the centerpiece of which is our TV! This way, if we want to watch something, we'll have to work for it. Or, rather, the TV will help us enjoy exercising. See how perspective changes everything, Annie?
Last Monday night, for the first time in a loooong time, Doug and I sat in the living room together with music playing. We talked, he worked on his new novel (holy moly, is it gonna be good!), and I tried out a couple of recipes from a new Paleo cookbook.
Can I tell you how much we got done?!? Both of us were amazed by how much energy we had, even after a really busy day. And, we got the added bonus of super tasty & healthy blueberry muffins :)
Do what you do not want to do.
Another way I'm applying this new mantra is with my thoughts. It's easy for me to worry and spend tons of mental energy trying to figure out what I can or should do in order for something to turn out "right." When I get into that pattern, I don't want to let go of my racing thoughts, because what if I'm just about to discover the secrets of the universe?!?
Today, when I sense worry creeping in, I remember my refrigerator's sage advice, Do what you do not want to do, and I choose to focus my attention on positive, affirming thoughts instead. And you know what? I've been more productive, I've enjoyed my work more, and my back doesn't hurt as much as usual. Hmmmm.
Do what you do not want to do, and eventually, that will become what you want to do!
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