What Image do You Desire for 2024?
Yes, I realize life is full of unexpected events, especially in these times. Plus, at least the first half of 2024 will be impacted by some of the uncertainty that faced three-quarters of 2023. But most of us are in a position where we can look after the basic needs-the basic needs, I am aware that some people are not in this position. However, how you interpret those demands may determine whether you survive or thrive.
It’s likely that you have some knowledge of Maslow’s hierarchy of requirements. It always amazes me how easy it is to take for granted that we are meeting the majority of our fundamental needs, but upon closer inspection, there are some obvious gaps. Some of those gaps are in the higher, “nice but not quite as necessary” needs, some are in the lower, baseline, fundamental needs, and some are in numerous layers of the pyramid. Consider eating as an example. While it is a basic human need, our relationship with food can become complex if our higher wants aren’t being met.
Contents
Food
Do you need to change the way you feel about food—and I don’t mean by embarking on a new diet—? In 2024, how would you like to feel when you eat? Swinging back and forth between chaos and control or calm and at ease?
You’re not the only one who thought eating during the pandemic was “weird.” Instead of getting caught up in the guilt trip, learn from the event. This holds true whether your eating problems have been there for a while (maybe becoming more evident when you’re at home) or if they recently appeared out of the blue.
Did you attempt to restrict your diet after reading too many unpleasant headlines about “pandemic pounds” only to have your “willpower” falter? (Note: Willpower is quite effective up until it stops working, and when it does, it does so for biological and psychological reasons. You are not a failure because of that.)
Did you become afraid or even self-judgmental after reading news reports about the connections between having a larger body and a higher risk of contracting COVID? It’s important to note that these connections are a lot more complex and less general than what the mainstream media would have you believe.
Did you fall in love with baking only to have it clash with your past dieting habits, resulting in what seemed like disorderly eating (or even binging)?
As previously stated, regardless of whatever worries you may have regarding your eating habits, this is crucial knowledge that can help you understand how food culture has affected you and, more importantly, how extensive and varied your “coping toolbox” is. In 2024, you can utilize that knowledge and those hints to forge a new course. I would start here if you need some book recommendations to get you started:
- Third Edition of Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch’s “Intuitive Eating”
- By Connie Sobczak, “Embody“
- Read Lindo Bacon’s “Radical Belonging”
Movement
I am aware that a large number of my 2020 clientele voiced worry that since the pandemic began, they were experiencing less movement in their life. It might have been difficult to switch to something new if your favorite modes of exercise needed access to a gym or a group class, or if you live in a crowded place where it’s difficult to go for a physically long walk.
Finding something I truly enjoyed and was inspired to pursue on a regular basis required three tries (Barre3). However, I also changed things up with Ludmila Smirnova “walk at home” YouTube videos and Groove Dance, which doesn’t have a free trial but does have some sample videos available for viewing.
Self-Care
As I’ve stated previously, taking care of oneself is not a sign of selfishness. It also doesn’t have to involve journaling in silence and taking bubble baths. Unless you detest taking baths and keeping a journal, those can be really nourishing and important methods to take care of yourself! It could be impossible to have an uninterrupted bubble bath if you have young children at home.
Self-care means allowing yourself occasional indulgences unrelated to nutrition, like holiday cookies, but mostly fueling your body with delicious, nutritious food.
You are less resilient and able to handle life’s challenges when you are not obtaining enough deep self-care. Your well is empty. Long-term unhealthy behaviors like binge eating, emotional eating, and perhaps abusing alcohol and cocktails could result from this. Consider these as the coal miner’s canary, an indication that your actual requirements aren’t being satisfied. When you don’t take proper care of yourself, your body and mind will do whatever it takes to feel better.
