We’ve had an eye-opening January and first half of February around here.
In an effort to get some things done around the house and pay for them, we’ve done a bit of a financial overhaul and cleanse. We put together and are keeping an actual budget — one that works!
And in an effort to come back into more moderation in our eating and drinking after luxurious holidays, we committed to a Whole 30ish plus a few days which is just now ending. For us, the easiest way to accomplish that was to not eat out. One restaurant in the first 40 days of the year! — Whoa!
See how these two goals go hand-in-hand?!?
Now, if you’ve been around here long enough, you know I enjoy a restaurant or two, and some cocktails, and I am not down with restriction or depriving out of some faulty notion that I’m weak or lazy or out of control…
However, I am very much about clear seeing.
And, a la Marie Kondo (everyone’s watching her, right?!), sometimes the best way to see clearly is to drag it all out and take a look. Especially when the results you are experiencing are not ones you want.
And it’s true – looking at our spending on the daily and deciding on purpose what we want it to be has had very positive results.
As has being very intentional about what we are eating and drinking.
After not eating out for so long, when we did, we both gained weight, and when we didn’t we lost it again. When we eat at home, we have more money to do other things than when we eat out. The correlation is crystal clear.
My point here is definitely NOT to say that we shouldn’t eat out and we should weigh less – for health is determined by so much more than a number on a scale (that’s a whole other contemplation –whether weighing yourself regularly is a good idea or not) and dining out is an integral and very enjoyable part of my life.
But my point is now I can see…I can see patterns, I can see actions, and I can see results.
And when I can see clearly, I can make the decisions I want to make with more power.
I don’t have to feel guilty or bad or indulgent or pious.
I can simply feel connected to my priorities and take action that aligns with them.
This is one of the highest life practices – to see reality as it is, to see your actions as they are. To put your eyes on how you spend your time, your money, how you nourish yourself and others, how you live the details of your life.
With clarity comes power and true authority.
What about you? What’s one small thing you can put your eyes on in the next week? I’d love to know!
If it involves self-care or looking at finances, perhaps I can lend a hand on a free call.
May your days be truly delicious and satisfying!
Hi! I’m Laura Jarrait and I work with women who adore good food but feel like it’s running or ruining their lives. They don’t want to diet or quit socializing around food but are tired of feeling less than their best and guilty, obsessive, or confused about what they eat. I help them keep the pleasure and drop the stressful thinking and extra weight, so they feel confident, light and free — all without ending their love affair with food!
I would be thrilled to help you do the same! Get my free Beautiful You guide that teaches YOU how to eat with pleasure and thrive at your natural weight or learn more about how I can support you in your eating, body love, and weight-loss goals.