The upside of feeling down about yourself

Health is the force multiplier of all of our other attributes.

It’s the catalyst that drives us to fulfill our potential, the fuel that enables us to engage the rest of ourselves and the constructive force that propels our life forward.

And if we’re willing to take care of ourselves without guilt or blame or justification, then the daily momentum of all those healthy actions will build the foundation from which everything else grows.

The problem is, becoming healthy is not only a lot of work, but it won’t happen in a linear or tidy fashion. In fact, things will mostly likely have to get worse before they get better.

Here are a few questions that have been helpful in transforming my own health journey.

What part of your life has formed a critical mass of toxicity?

Are there any unhealthy habits that you are so disgusted at and shameful of, that you simply can’t stand anymore?

It’s a harsh line of inquiry, but it’s also a powerful starting point. After all, disgust is highly primitive and powerful emotion.

Think about cavemen. Disgust led to aversion. If somebody tried eating a potential food source and instantly started to vomit blood, they walked away from it. Over time, that reaction became evolutionarily advantageous for our species. It protected us from poisonous substances, food or otherwise.

Fast forward to modern times, and the same experience of disgust still applies.

But it’s not only around food, but anything that is potentially hazardous to our health.

Reminds me of the day my longtime addiction to soda finally ended. Out of nowhere one morning, my ritual breakfast pop suddenly tasted like carbonated cough syrup. It was simply repulsive. Not only in the moment, but also in the past.

Started thinking to myself, wow, how could you have sucked back three cans of this swill every single day?

My life now feels healthier as a result. All because of that one moment of disgust. For which I am eternally grateful.

Look, there is no such thing as perfect health. We’re all broken and struggling in some way.

But the healthier we are, the more of our other abilities we can tap into and use, and the more of an impact we can have on the world around us. 

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What are you going to give up to become healthier?