Wellness Weekly: Watch What You’re Consuming 🤭
Updated: Sep 6, 2022
I know what you’re thinking…
“Is she really posting an article all about dieting?!”
To that I say, “Of course not!”
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, to consume means to “use up.”
Today we’re talking about any and all resources you’re consuming- what you’re listening to, what you’re doing with your time, and, yes, what you’re putting in your body.
Everything you put into your mind and body has an impact on you- even when you try to make it not affect you. It’s like when someone gives you a hurtful comment- even though you try not to let it affect you, you have to actively work to not allow it to affect you, even if just for a moment, and sometimes the comment still sting.
So, does this mean you have to track everything that goes into your mind and body and actively calculate what the best option is for yourself every minute of every day?
Absolutely not! You’d drive yourself crazy 🤪
However, you should be more conscious of what you’re consuming and take a peek if these things align with your goals.
For example, you absolutely shouldn’t analyze every song that comes on, especially if you’re an avid fan of sad music like myself. However, if you notice your mood has been rather blue lately, it might help to press pause on the sad music for a hot minute and opt for something more uplifting.
Staying with the sounds, if you have a goal to become more knowledgeable, a great swap I’ve found, especially for any commute or well girl walk I do, is music for podcasts. While I love to jam, I can maximize my time and gain knowledge on the topics I want to learn about.
Not sure how to remain consistent in watching what you’re consuming?
No worries! I’ve been there more times than I can count- failing and coming back to myself to ensure I’m living a balanced lifestyle that aligns with my goals.
Here are some processes I’ve put in place to make sure my consumption balance is on point:
Daily Recaps
Daily recaps are something I’ve built into my journaling practice that have helped me stay in tune with myself immensely. All I do is journal about my day, which seems simple while I’m doing it. Then, I have the ability to look back on these entries and see where my mindset is at and if my days are aligning with my goals.
If you’re looking to incorporate this practice into your routine but you’re limited on time, no sweat! This practice can be a few bullet points, a simple paragraph, really anything you want it to be! The biggest benefit is simply keeping track and using this tool to stay in tune with you.
Check-In Journaling Sessions
Another journaling practice that can help you watch what you’re consuming is a simple check in with yourself. This form of journaling can be more tailored towards your goals and what you want to check in with. Also, this type of journaling can be more long-form, which allows you to express yourself more robustly.
When doing this type of journaling, I find it useful to start with a question, either in your head or written at the top of your paper.
Examples of what these questions can look like include…
How am I feeling?
Am I making progress towards my goal(s) in a way that feels sustainable to me?
What am I doing that feels aligned? What doesn’t feel so aligned?
How do I feel about a typical day in my life?
Set Yourself Up for Success
The final way to watch what you’re consuming is to set yourself up for success! This includes any sort of prep you can do to make it easier to take the actions that are more aligned with the lifestyle you want to live.
For example, if your goal is to strike at 67% balance on “healthy vs. unhealthy” eating, meal prepping and planning what you’re going to eat throughout the week is super helpful!
67% of three meals a day is only 14 meals… Okay, that might be a lot, but when you think about it, it’s only your breakfasts and lunches for the week. If you could meal prep a healthy breakfast and lunch for every day during the week, you could let yourself free on every dinner and still hit your goal!
Remember: You don’t need to psychoanalyze everything you do to live your best life. Strike a balance that works for you, check in often, and make adjustments as necessary 🌿