Be Gentle With Yourself

For years I've planned out the perfect exercise and eating routine.

It always looks perfect on paper. And that's usually where it stays.

There's an inner resistance in me to routines and schedules. I don't want life to feel like boot camp. But I do want to stay healthy by eating well and moving often. 

I was all set to create another plan when I could feel my heart cringe. I could feel it close. No more imposing rules on my life. No more bullying me into being better. No more creating a sledge hammer of shoulds.

We've all done it: I should work out. I should go to be earlier. I should eat better. 

I decided to stop shoulding on myself.  

So I'm trying this: gentle reminders.

Yesterday I set the alarm on my cell phone for 8 am, noon, 5:30 pm and 10 p.m. A gentle chime sounds, like a heavenly harp. It's a sweet reminder to feed myself breakfast, lunch, dinner and to get to bed early.

It gently interrupts my day to remind me to take care of the most important person in my life: me.