brazen-blogposts

[brazen-blogposts]

Netflix’s “We Are The Champions” Cheese-Rolling Contest: My Life in a Nutshell

How Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake in Brockworth, Gloucestershire reminded me of my self-sabotaging behavior.

Recently I found myself in the Netflix wormhole watching a giant cheese-rolling contest. Aside from being highly entertaining, We Are The Champions had me in deep thought and self-reflection. As I sat there and watched hundreds of people tumble and somersault face-first down an outrageously steep hill racing after a single cheese wheel, I felt like I was watching my own reality show. There I was, smashing my face off the ground year after year in the hope of winning at life and getting a piece of that damn cheese wheel. But, each year, I would run the same race with the same mindset as the last and either find myself losing, injured, or stuck in the same ditch. A form of insanity and self-sabotage far too familiar to me.

What is Self-Sabotage?

Then, a light bulb goes off, and I get sick and tired of feeling stuck. I get that little spark of motivation that makes me believe I can do and be better. Or, less optimistically, I am motivated by feeling not good enough compared to what I view on tv, social media, magazines, or other sources of low self-esteem factors. So, I go fishing for photos on Instagram that I want to look like or be like. Because we all know, if we have the right makeup, clothes, body, and all that booty and sass — we will finally be good enough and worthy of something. (Bull shit).

When I start to feel like I’m on a roll, the real challenges start to pop up out of nowhere. Oh, by the way, most of the positive changes you decide to make usually have an associated cost. Expect and prepare for that when you embark on your championship changes. The costs are different depending on what changes were made. In my case, my new habits and lifestyle start to take a toll on friendships and my social life. Once known as the “life of the party,” I now assumed Sober Sally's reputation. The missed happy hours, weekend trips, and parties started to add up, and all of a sudden, I had an extreme case of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). I started grieving the “old me” because “she” was more fun, maybe even considered more likable and easy-going. So at some point, the excuses bang list I created eventually ran out, and the pressure became too much to handle. Instead of friends being supportive, they may highlight that “you’ve changed and that it’s just not the same anymore.” Even though you know deep down the changes you have committed to are positive and necessary to stop self-sabotaging.

Stepping away from the norm and toxic culture can feel lonely. On top of all of this, it’s sometimes tricky to start meeting new people and developing trustworthy friendships who support your new living style. So, change starts to feel overwhelming and totally out of reach with too many uncontrollable situations. Soon we end up saying, screw it and cozy up to the life you knew before. The habits come back like second nature — the bottles pile up, the late-night pizza orders start to add up, the gym memberships are still being paid for but not used, and you resume your role of being the super glue to all your toxic relationships. In other words, the cheese wheel continues to roll, and you continue to chase the sabotage, face-planting every step of the way.

2. Identify goals to change and break the cycle using IMPACT questions.

Improve: Does it improve the quality of my life?

Measurable: Is it measurable in terms of knowing when I have accomplished it?

Positively: Is it positively stated as something new I want in my life?

Achievable: Is it achievable for me in my present situation and with my current abilities?

Call forth Actions: What actions can I do regularly to remain committed?

Time-limited: Is it time-limited in terms of when I will begin and when I plan to finish.

Now that you answered your IMPACT questions plan how you will effectively communicate your goals to change with those who matter and support you most. Remind yourself that it is okay to grieve and mourn the loss of the old you. This can be a natural reaction to change, and that grief does not have to be suppressed.

There will be bumps along the race, but you will be in a much better place with undoubtedly less long-lasting bruises at the end of the hill. Start imagining yourself now holding the cheese wheel high above your head. Commit to being a Champion; most importantly, commit to yourself.

[brazen-blogposts]

Good food = Good Mood 

[brazen-blogposts]

Simple guide on how to create less waste

[brazen-blogposts]

#kindness #humankind

[brazen-blogposts]