These three things are important to me:
- Writing (and publishing)
- Yoga
- Eating (well)
These three things haven't changed much in the last few years. Everything in my life revolves around these three things.
Writing used to be a hobby for me. It was something I did after work for an hour at a coffee shop, if I had time. Now? The writing is my work. If I don't write, I don't make a living. This forces me to do the work.
Eating used to be an afterthought for me. When I got very hungry, I go to the nearest place and buy something (usually not good for me.) Now? Eating well is the foundation of my day. I stopped drinking, because I used to drink when I should have been eating. I eat my leafy greens. I snack on raw vegetables.
Yoga used to only happen when I'd neglected my body. Now? I do my best to practice every night. I wear clothing that I can do yoga in at all times, so if I need to stretch I can do it anywhere.
Whenever I'm presented with something outside these three, I have to ask myself: does this take me towards these goals, or away from them?
I used to want to do everything, be everything, and achieve everything. So, I kept all of my options open. I wasn't just going to be a writer, I was also going to be a photographer, a designer, a dancer, a web programmer, and of course a publisher too. I wanted to also have a job, with benefits.
Living my life this way led to me feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, burned out.
So I started untethering from things that I didn't care as much about.
What I was left with? These three things:
- Writing (and publishing)
- Yoga
- Eating (well)