Do you ever catch yourself, like me, saying something like the following?
- I have to take the dog for a walk.
- I have to drive my husband to the airport.
- I have to take my mom to the doctor.
- I have to help my kid move.
- I have to clean up the house.
- I have to go to the store.
When I say “I have to…” It Makes Me Feel “Bossed”
Every time I say these words either in my head our out loud, I feel like I’m being controlled by a force outside of me.
I don’t know about you, but I really don’t like being told what to do.
Especially to do things, I don’t really feel like doing.
It makes me irritable.
It increases my anxiety.
Overwhelm is not far behind.
But a simple little shift in perspective brings all the power back to me.
Changing I Have To to I Want To
If I change the wording up a little, it makes me feel like I’m in the drivers seat and the one calling the shots.
So when I find myself faced with a task I would rather not do, I am going to remind myself…
- I want to be a good dog mom because this sweet girl so deserves it.
- I want to be the wife who loves and supports her husband.
- I want to be a daughter who supports her mom in a difficult time.
- I want to be the mom who is there for her kids when they need her.
- I want a clean home because it feels amazing to me.
- I want some healthy food in the house and am so grateful that I can afford it.
Tell Yourself the Truth
I’m not going to lie to myself and pretend these are tasks I actually want to do.
But I am going to remind myself that I want the results that come from these tasks.
Doing this makes me not only feel empowered but really, really good.
Give it a try and share with me how it goes!
I Can Help
If you can’t seem to make the time to take care of your mental and physical health, I can help!
My name is Laura Hayek and I am a nurse coach who helps empower women over 40 to create habits for a healthier body, mind and spirit.
Check out my website, www.laurahayek.com, to schedule a free coaching session to discover how I can help you on your journey to holistic health!