Lighten Up! Why Taking Life Too Seriously Is Like Wearing Spanx to a Hot Yoga Class
There was a time in my life, and honestly I still catch myself doing it on occasion, that I realized I was taking life just a little too seriously and it was stealing a lot of my joy and my inner peace.
I came to this realization after reading Marianna Williams' book, A Return To Love. After reading that book and reflecting on my own behavior and choices it dawned on me how serious I was about almost everything. I took someone not calling me back seriously, I took people disrespecting me seriously.
I took so many things personally, when honestly most of the time it had nothing to do with me. I took on other people's pain, self doubt and insecurities as my own.
My worth and part of my identity was wrapped up in helping everyone but myself. That kept me “safe” and from having to look at my own flaws .Now thankfully, I take respecting myself seriously, because that is the only person I have control over.
When I learned to step back and observe without judgment,(I have to practice this daily) to simply exist and realize how short life really is, a lot of weight was lifted off my shoulders.
Do you struggle to relax and enjoy yourself, even in situations that should be fun?Have you lost touch with hobbies or interests that used to bring you joy?Do you have a hard time laughing or being silly, even with close friends or family?Do you feel like you're constantly striving for perfection, and never quite measuring up?Do you frequently worry about the future, or feel overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life?Do you struggle to let go of control, or find it hard to delegate tasks to others?Do you often find yourself criticizing or judging others, even for small mistakes or quirks?
Taking life too seriously is like wearing Spanx to a hot yoga class. It's uncomfortable, suffocating, and ultimately counterproductive. Here are some reasons why taking life too seriously can be more damaging than trying to fit into a size two:
Stress - When we take life too seriously, we become walking stress balls. It can lead to chronic stress, health issues, and a resting bitch face that scares everyone away.
Burnout - Taking life too seriously can make us burn out faster than a cheap candle from the dollar store. We might push ourselves too hard and neglect our own needs, leading to exhaustion and a lack of motivation to keep going.
Missed Opportunities - Life is full of opportunities for personal growth, new experiences, and relationships. However, when we take life too seriously, we can become so focused on our goals and responsibilities that we miss out on the fun and spontaneous moments that make life worth living.
Lack of Creativity - Taking life too seriously can make us as boring as a PBS documentary on paint drying. We might miss out on the creative and innovative ideas that make life exciting and fun.
Joyless Existence - Finally, taking life too seriously can lead to a joyless existence. We might forget to enjoy the present moment and appreciate the people and experiences in our lives.
So, how can we lighten up and start enjoying life more? Here are a few tips:
Laugh at Yourself - When you find yourself in a negative spiral, try to laugh at yourself. Picture yourself as a cartoon character with a dark cloud over your head or a sad trombone playing in the background. It may sound silly, but it can help break the cycle of negative thinking and give you a little perspective.
Practice Gratitude - Make a list of things you're grateful for every day, no matter how small they may seem. Did your cat give you a little meow this morning? Write it down. Did you find a dollar on the ground? Add it to the list. Focusing on the good things in life can help shift your mindset from negative to positive.
Embrace Your Inner Child - Remember when you were a kid and everything seemed so fun and exciting? Try to tap into that inner child and find joy in the simple things in life. Play a board game with your friends, swing on a swing set, or have a dance party in your living room.
Are you tired of adulting and miss your inner child's carefree ways? Want to ditch the expectations and judgments weighing you down and unleash your beautiful unique spirit? Look no further, my friend, because Clarity Catalyst is here to help you rediscover a life filled with fun, joy, and creative inspiration that'll make your jaw drop! So, what are you waiting for? Let's unleash your inner child and live life to the fullest!
Life is a party, and we're all invited. So, let's loosen up, take off our Spanx, and have some fun!
Class starts Wednesday May 24th at 1:00 pm. Sign up here to schedule a 15 minute interview to see if this course is for you, for more details or to sign up!