Over-eating! Scrolling! Binge watching!

What patterns and behaviours do you have that are not serving you?

I can definitely name quite a few: overeating (taking more into my plate even though I already ate enough), scrolling my phone and reading too many news sites.

And of course: working too much or in a compulsive way (not taking enough breaks, not drinking enough water and postponing meals, sitting in bad posture with my laptop etc).
A lot there!

And at times also binge watching some series on netflix or hbo.

This month we have been looking at unhealthy patterns or obsessive / compulsive / addictive behaviors in the Practitioner Program 

I am curious about you too.
What are the unhealthy patterns or obsessive / compulsive / addictive behaviors that are not serving you?

Sometimes we developed behaviours and patterns to manage situations and be rewarded, especially as kids.
We might adopt behaviours such as pleasing, lying, playing small or having tantrums.
Whatever was serving us and the parents and other caregivers reacted to.

The challenge is that when we grow up we often keep these patterns and behaviours, even though we do not need to seek approval from the big people any more.
Many of us actually live a lot of our lives seeking approval of our parents – consciously or subconsciously.

Of course some patterns and behaviours never serves us in the first place.

So a little exercise for you

Take a moment to breathe, notice your body.
Identify and name a pattern you which no longer serves you.
Notice your bodily sensations.

Share with a friend or a loved one one pattern you want to change.
Share one or two concrete situations from the recent past where your pattern showed up.

Consider:

• How does this pattern sabotage your happiness?
• How does it show up in your life?
• Do you recall when this showed up for the first time?
• From whom did you learn this pattern?
• Has it shown up more or shown up less in recent years?
• What could you do to minimize it or get fully rid of it?

Notice and share your bodily sensations while sharing. Invite the other person to share as well.

Let me ask you:

What unhealthy behaviours and compulsions do you have?
What steps do you take towards getting rid of them?

Do you have people in your who have serious addictions or compulsions?
How do you take care of yourself in their presence?

Love,
Tuulia (& Pete) ❤️