Discipline Equals Freedom
Do you feel like you’re disciplined?
I so badly want to be, but I tend to fall off and feel like a chicken with my head cut off.
I’ve worked on this with my transformational coach, Kelly (you’ll see a trend here!) and she said the phrase,
“Discipline equals freedom”
Whew that hit me right in the gut!
I know that when I do “responsible” things like:
- go to bed by 9:30pm
- wake up around 5:00am and do the miracle morning stuff
- keep my Asana boards updated which then keeps my planner and to-list updated
- meal prep on Sundays
- check my email less
- abide by my 1-hour of instagram time limit
When I do all these things on a regular basis I no joke feel invincible! It’s like I found 3 extra hours in the day.
Buuuuut, then my little sabotaging friend bursts through the door and says…..
“What is going on? What is this schedule thing? This is so incredibly boring. You’re like a robot and you will never, ever, ever, have fun again if you keep going about this boring a$$ routine of a life! So, to save you, it's time to abandon the ship - right now!”
So, then I justify staying up too late which leads to waking up late which leads to rushing in the morning which leads to….you get the point.
It was a cycle that wouldn’t stop and therefore became a topic to tap on with Kelly. (fun fact: we found the root cause of why my brain turns on me, but that’ll make this way too long, so message me if you can relate and think it might help you with doing this same thing!)
Now, it definitely still creeps in (I look to my enneagram 7 who is a sucker for all things fun and no things boring) and I have to repeat Kelly’s words to myself.
“Discipline equals freedom.”
“Discipline equals freedom.”
“Discipline equals freedom.”
Similar to how I have to talk with Ellie, “you can go play when we take care of our jobs/chores/etc.” I have to say that to myself.
Sean (my wonderful husband) is the exact opposite and discipline is no issue for him (hello, enneagram 1!). So he looks at me sideways when he sees me vear off into a burning ditch of thorns when I’m on a perfectly smooth and clear path!
Since my little sabotaging friend still tries to creep in, I try to combat the feelings by taking a deep breath and literally saying that phrase over and over in my head. I then make a list of things I need to accomplish and with plans for something fun once I finish.
Even writing this out to you all feels silly, but I’m aware that it doesn’t help to beat myself up about it. I recognize it, reset, do the little things, and reward myself often!
And I will add that being able to get thrown off course is a blessing because we usually have multiple balls in the air and with Sean traveling I’m the one who’s home the most to manage them all. It could be Ellie randomly being home from school, going out of town on short notice, having someone come work on the house in the middle of the day - whatever it is - I’m pretty good at pausing, adjusting, and making it happen.
Is this something you can relate to or do thrive on a routine and find it easy to stick to?!