Putting In the Work · EpicYourLife

Aug 26 (edited) • General discussion & FUN

Putting In the Work

This post is inspired by Chantel’s post almost a month ago titled “Social Media.”

I’ve been thinking about it ever since, and I’m coming on here to share a bit of my experience and encouragement. 🤗

For years, the amount of time I spent “doing nothing” was concerning at the least, even to myself. As I grew in awareness of what I was doing to myself, I tried so hard to break that pattern. I did multiple social media fasts, but instead of actually breaking the pattern, I would end up on games instead.

I made feeble attempts to talk about it, but it felt like no one was concerned about it. But I didn’t like the fried version of me I was becoming:

• unable to stay focused on anything for a long time

• escaping anxiety instead of processing and releasing

• always tired

• no schedule outside of work

• constantly running behind and then mentally escaping that reality and running even more behind

I was also healing from major trauma and had been in cycles of self-harm, so it seemed like the screen time addiction was the least of my problems, so I tried to not worry about it too much.

As time went on, though, I went deeper into a version of myself I didn’t like. I was becoming desperate. I brought it up again with a mentor. The response I got was along the lines of “If playing games on your phone is what you need to do to cope, then do that!”

I was bewildered, confused. I was asking for help to break this cycle, and instead I was encouraged to stay in it. “Am I simply stuck with this? Am I making too big a deal of it?”

Looking back now, I can see how this person might have thought that playing games on my phone is better than resorting to physical self-harm. (I’m wondering now if even this screen time addiction was a form of self harm? I’d love to hear thoughts on this!)

Since that time, I have gone deep into many limiting beliefs, released them, received healing, created a new story, and embraced life and FREEDOM!

It’s still hard work, but the point is, it’s possible! In the words of a wise person, “What we feed will flourish.” 😉

In this season, I am putting in the work to achieve new levels of mapping out my schedule and actually sticking to what I put on my calendar! And IT FEELS GOOD!!

And…

I’m not so hyper-focused on my screen time that I guilt-spiral when I miss a mark.

I focus instead on the growth that I’m making, and I celebrate that. I intentionally share my sprouts and wins with my husband (not all bragging is bad 😊), because even that simple way of celebrating makes a difference.

Now, I like the “green and growing” version of myself:

• hopeful and excited about life instead of depressed

• excited to bring not one, but two children into our home next month, because “I CAN create and stick to routines!” 💪🏼

• healthy physically and mentally

• free to THRIVE, not just survive

• I can do hard things, AND it’s worth it!

And so can you! 🫶🏼

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