The Tricks of the Wellness Checklist

You practice yoga. You practice meditation. You exercise. Eat healthy. Diligent about supplements. Diligent about sleep. You know exactly what the right things to do are for a good life and you follow them to the T. The modern wellness culture has given us the whole checklist.

One relaxed Saturday afternoon. And you are cooking something really nice and intricate. You are using the mortar and pestle to crush some fresh chilies, garlic and ginger. And notice yourself rushing through it. You notice you have been rushing this whole time. There is nowhere to go, nothing to do - no real reason to be fast but you are rushing.

Thanks to all the yoga and meditation - awareness steps in.

I shouldn’t be rushing.

I need to slow down.

Why can’t I just slow down?

You think rushing is the problem. Real problem?

You are at war with yourself.

The moment you notice yourself rushing,
you turn against the person who is rushing.

And this can happen with almost anything.

• You meditate, notice your mind is busy, and think I should be more present.

• You practice yoga, notice you’re distracted, and think I’m not really practicing.

• You exercise, miss a few days, and think I’m being lazy.

• You eat something you’ve labeled “unhealthy,” and think I have no discipline.

• You notice you’re anxious, and think I should know how to regulate myself by now.

• You’re having a hard day, and think I should be more grateful.

• You’re exhausted, but instead of resting, you judge yourself for not having enough energy.

• You catch yourself comparing yourself to someone else and then judge yourself for comparing.

• You realize you’re being impatient, and become impatient with yourself for being impatient.

The practice itself becomes another standard we can fail at.

Humans will always be imperfect.
We will rush. We will get distracted. We will resist. We will struggle.

Practice is not becoming someone who never does these things.
Practice is how we meet ourselves when we do.

Practice is always kindness and compassion.

What I cooked if you are curious - image below - “Gujarati Theplas” :)