You’re listening to the Love Tidbits Podcast, where you’ll discover a small, tasty, delightful, bite-sized tidbit of love. I’m your host, LeAnn Austin.
Hey y’all, welcome to Love Tidbits, episode number three: Brain Hack
I used to be a big time perfectionist. When my two oldest boys were little, I remember following them around the apartment and picking things up as soon as they drop them. Every where they’d go, there’d be mom behind picking stuff up. It was crazy.
In high school, college, and my early married years, my dad would tease me by coming over and turning things just a little bit. He’d shift stuff, a quarter of an inch, or turn it 90 degrees, just to see my reaction. And when he left, I’d have to go through my room and put everything back to how it was.
Well, thankfully after four boys, a husband and a dog, I’ve relaxed a little bit, but still have a lot of all or nothing tendencies. My life at times has been like a roller coaster or a yo-yo, major extremes and not a lot of temperance, but that has changed.
So for all you perfectionists and all or nothing thinkers, I recently created a brain hack that I’ve been using and it works! Every time my brain thinks something has to be one way or the other, all in or all out, on track or off track, I simply remind myself that I’m already really good at all or nothing. I’ve already mastered perfectionism. I’m an expert at on track or off track.
And now I’m mastering moderation. I’m mastering the middle. I’m getting really good at only having a little bit of sugar rather than needing all the sugar or none of the sugar. I’m listening to my body and doing a lot more walking and yoga instead of thinking I have to be sweating every time I exercise.
I have more love and compassion for me and others, less judgment and simply a greater sense of calm as I’m consciously practicing moderation. And when my thoughts go back to perfectionism and all or nothing thinking, I gently remind myself that I’m becoming an expert at everything in the middle, a more temperate life with rolling hills rather than steep mountains and cliffs.
One of my favorite quotes to ponder is by Brene Brown. She says, “The middle is messy, but it’s also where the magic happens.” Hmmm, something to think about.
Have a good one y’all ~ and here’s to love!
If you would like to become an expert at loving yourself. Check out my Lovin Me Program at leannaustin.com
