“What about the times when I don’t have control over the food?”
I heard varying versions of this from 3 different clients this week. I decided that it was a sign for me to write about it. Each of them really thought that they did not have control of what they ate for a variety of reasons.
Think about this for a minute. Who is always in control of what you put in your mouth?
We make up these stories to let ourselves off the hook when we go to an event, a friend’s house for dinner, or go on vacation. We say to ourselves, “I don’t have a choice” and “I don’t want to be rude”.
These thoughts sound like facts and so they seem true to you, but the reality is they are a made-up story. When you think these thoughts, you create a feeling of powerlessness and then you act as if you don’t have any control.
But the truth is, you have all the control in the world. So stop it! Stop giving away your power, and don’t believe everything you tell yourself.
I am not saying you shouldn’t have the food that is offered, I am just making sure that you understand that you are choosing to have it.
You may be afraid of feeling awkward or rude if you decline what is offered or eat very little of it. But instead, you make the decision to feel out of control or disappointed with what you ate, as opposed to feeling awkward or rude by not having it. None of these emotions feel that great, but a feeling can’t harm you.
Why not pick the feeling that gets you the results you are looking for? You really are in control after all.
