We Run. We Chase.
The Hamster Wheel Syndrome!
We run, we chase, we want, but we are still empty exhausted and burnt out at the end of the day!
Phew, I need a nap just typing this. The Hamster Wheel Syndrome!
There is a perpetual motion here, like a hamster on a wheel. Round and round in circles we go, chasing ourselves. No wonder we are exhausted, drained, burnout. No wonder we have no time for time! Wow, what is this all about?
Every Monday morning, early on in my fitness business I would hear: I am going on a diet. My response would be “Why, and what are you doing for this diet?” Here is the majority response: “I eat too much bread so I am cutting bread out.” Okay, but is all bread to blame OR it is the whole basket you ate at dinner? What about the extra cocktail you had at dinner along with dessert? What did bread do to you?
Quite frankly, it isn’t bread, it is our behavior and how we view things. A diet is a quick fix and doesn’t last long, just saying. A lifestyle change, now we can talk…We are human and we will go to events where we will have a piece of cake, an extra cocktail and such. That’s fine; it is your choice after all. However, it is when you do this continuously that it will catch up to you. Every Monday it was “I need to lose weight,” and by Friday that was a distant memory.
We chase so much of everything that we want!
Numbers, weight loss, and people we idolize, and yet we’re still not where we want to be! When we focus on what we do not have, we receive more of that! Lack! We are not happy where we are at, accepting the moment where we are now fully 100% before wanting the next shiny thing. Our health for one, taking small steps to get to the big picture such as adding one glass of water to your daily fluid intake. When I hear someone is going to cut something out completely overnight, BAM, it sets you up for a fall, for failure!
I have recently switched to ‘leaning into’ more of a vegan plant based lifestyle. Now, I said leaning into. I am doing this as a choice that works for me and makes me feel better. However, these are small steps, I’m not going vegan overnight. I am replacing things slowly, learning what works and doesn’t work. (Notice I said replacing, not completely eliminating.)
How do you eliminate and change things up to better serve you, in order to serve others?
This isn’t about losing weight for a wedding (a quick fix and I have hardly ever seen to work). It is more of how can I do better to live a longer healthier life to serve my children, grandchildren, and others.
It isn’t about chasing the numbers (yes we all need good numbers for our business) but it is how your engagement is with others, the connections and relationships. The relationships that you are serving. Faith, spirituality, and serving others. The more we chase after numbers the more frustrating it can become like watching water boil in a pan! The more we chase after how out of shape we are, the more of just that we become!
Begin surrendering to where your ‘being’ is right now in this moment with gratitude, love, and acceptance. Do not look at how low the numbers are in your business and focus on how low they are, what are you going to keep doing to grow things? Don’t judge your body (I have big hips, but I will feel_____ when I have____). This is lack and it festers low confidence and the nasty “c” word… comparing! Again, waiting for the water to boil, watching, and checking, and so on!
Do you really want more of what you have? Silly question, I know.
This goes for chasing money! We chase, receive and we are still not happy! What the What???
This is all about being happy, joyous and grateful where we are right now, and all else will come! Take those baby steps to that larger vision, allow yourself to trip up, you are going to for we are human beings!!! Forgive, and move forward with Love, patience, gratitude and forgiveness. Stand into your true being, and so much more will come to you, things you will never have dreamed of.
Peace,
Kim
Chasing things can take up so much energy, and also even distract us from what we really need in our life. It’s definitely a good idea to stop, be still and focus on what really matters.
Oh, my it is exhausting! And so is the distraction!
Keep changing mindsets! Something, we all need to do….take a break, look around at what we have achieved; then think about what else needs to be done before we move on. A good article to ponder over.
Thank you, Arshad. I like to help with the pondering!
It’s so hard being content in the moment. I tell myself I’ll be ok when my finances are sorted but there will be another goal to replace that one! Wise words
Yes Jenny, but that doesn’t buy us love, happiness or contentment. I always think of the Beatles song, Can’t buy me, love…. It is at the moment we are in.
How interesting! I definitely always chase what I want, but it’s important to decide which ones are worth chasing more. lol
Prioritizing! is the key! and stop the chasing and let it all go!
Ahhh yes, like the saying, “What we appreciate, appreciates”. It is safe to say that Napoleon Hill also knew what he was talking about when he said, “Recall what has been said about the subconscious mind resembling a fertile garden spot in which weeds will grow in abundance if the seeds of more desirable crops are not sown there”.
If we feel the need to chase something we are reinforcing the lack of something and therefore creating more lack. Beautiful message, Kim! Thank you for reminding me of a few of my favourite quotes.
Thank you! Yes, chasing reinforces the lack. Let it all go and I am going to do just that!
I think sometimes I get so caught up in chasing what I want, I spoil what I have now by having no energy left for it!! Although I do try to stop and appreciate what I have, we do spend far too long focusing on tomorrow rather than today.
Awesome Tiffany for acknowledging this. We need to be more present of the NOW and not what we will be if we have…. (this doesn’t work!)
I really loved this ! So true ! Always chasing after things and it does get exhausting ! Keep up the good work ! ????
Thak you! No more chasing, allow! 🙂
Beautiful post, Kim. We live in a society that constantly PUSHES us to be chasing SOMETHING. There’s no down time it seems but we need to slow down! Because we’re actually missing out on some important things from this constant chase…
Kimberly
http://www.brunchandgloss.com
We are, we need that down time to listen, create and be peaceful in a chaotic world!
Really enjoy how much food for thought this post has provided, it’s even brought to light another couple of destructive behaviours that I probably hadn’t considered! I am absolutely guilty of comparing…
We all are guilty of this and it is easy to do with the internet! Be gentle, forgive yourself!
Love this! I’ve been plant based for years. It’s definitely interesting what drives us to change or adopt new behaviors.
Yes, it is interesting. I feel better (stomach issues) pretty much have gone away. Now to conquer balancing the vitamins!
Wow! Thank you for this, Kim!
“Do you really want more of what you have”… I needed to answer that for myself today and why.
I am glad I could help! 🙂
Great post! I try to repeat often “I have more than enough,” this keeps me from feeling like I need to chase after more :).
We do, Lisa! We all have enough, it eliminates the chase!
I really liked this post. We really have to take priorities and time more seriously. I think we’d all be happier if we tried to eliminate some of the behaviors you mentioned. Great advice!
You are right and this is a practice…never mastered!
It is like you are talking directly to me! I tried so many fad diets over the years and ended up putting it all back on with interest every time. Last year I decided to change up my lifestyle, without restrictions, just sensible changes. I’m 38lbs lighter than when I started and it has come off a pound here and there with no major losses in any given week. It’s all in the mindset!
I love this David!!! When we cut something out completely we set up for a fall, so it is all mindset and making choices and changes without restricting!
I couldn’t agree more. People are human and will have slip-ups. People tend to compare themselves which is unhealthy. Be true to yourself as you say. Great post
You are so spot on Tracey!