Dare to NOT scratch that itch

Sometimes the most uncomfortable thing is to NOT do a thing. Did you ever think of that? We have so many sources telling us we should do this and be that and don't forget to purchase the things before the price goes up forever. I'm lucky that I don't crave shopping or feel like I have to be a certain someone, but I still have a my share of things where it's difficult or near impossible to NOT do it. 

Try NOT scratching an itch and let me know how that goes for you. I have eczema and if you’ve never had eczema, imagine the itchiest itch and multiply that by 1000% (not 100% but 1000%!). I would itch that area of skin for at least a little relief, maybe even several times a day. I had to be careful though because if I broke the skin it would bleed then take forever to heal. Well, curiosity got me so today I goggled “why does eczema itch” and here’s what I found out…it itches because you itch it! What the....#@*%!
(Well, that’s one of the main reasons: https://nationaleczema.org/why-does-eczema-itch/ )
Sooooo, Oh My Gawd, the whole time I was looking for just a little relief, I was totally exacerbating my poor skin driving it into a cycle of itching and flaring up?! (sighhhhh) Looks like now I'm going to have to do the thing that is THEE most physically uncomfortable thing I could imagine and NOT itch my skin. 

This idea of NOT doing something got me thinking and I realized there many things that I could list. I would say that my biggest is NOT eating. This might be more of an emotional challenge or a mental game but still physical as well. Imagine living in Willy Wonka's world but instead of being told that you could eat anything, you are told that you can't eat anything, further more, if you do, you'll be sent up chocolate pipe to the boiler room or to another unfavorable ending. There are times when food is as magnetic as a string is to a kitten. I suppose these feelings would dull over time if I were able to NOT eat consistently for a time. Oh, but wait, we need food to survive. (sighhhh) 

Oompa loompa doompety doo ~ I've got a perfect puzzle for you. 

Oompa loompa doompety dee ~ It's a bit tricky, can't you see!

Lets dig a bit deeper and see if we can unwind the mystery to a workable solution. For eczema it's pretty black and white. I have stop touching, rubbing, scratching the skin. If you see me jumping around a bit or scratching my cat with a slight frenzy I might just be trying to NOT do the thing.

There is much more that comes into play for eating because there are many reasons, feelings and physical sensations that contribute. This is something no diet has ever taught me. Of course they said don't eat that food, eat this food and move your body this many times a week. Oh, and don't forget your SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely) goals. Everyone is doing it and it even comes to you wrapped in a tiny little package with a bow!! "Awwww, this will work perfectly," says the skinny little twit who's never even been tempted by a chocolate chip. Those coaches, they were all well meaning but they just didn't get it. I've been trying for over 30 years so I think it's safe to say that those simple formula's just don't work. You know what i finally figured out...well, it's kinda like this new trend in health care where they are looking at the "whole person" instead of just the specific ailment. (Geeze it took them forrrrrever to figure that out when shaman's and witches knew that eons ago!) Anywho, tackling something that encompasses the whole being needs a plan that does so as well. So I dove in and figured out several uncomfortable changes I would have to make along with NOT eating this or that:

Behavioral
Learn to cook (including planning and grocery shopping)
Find excitement in other activities - new hobbies
No more mindless watching TV, etc, while snacking
Find something else to do with my hands and mouth
Reorganize my day to fit in all the things for the whole being

Mental
List priorities
Tell people my intentions
Know my choices
Live consciously - awake - so I can make those good choices
Know thyself

Emotional
Feel feelings as they come
Don't feel like I need to help fix others lives
Don't fix emotions with food: bored, happy, overwhelmed, depressed, anxiety (or excitement)
Be ok with the ugly crying (and the people who want to give you attention when I'm embarrassed already 😉 )

Physical
(Note I'm HSP - Highly Sensitive Person - my nerve endings more sensitive - read about it here: https://highlysensitiverefuge.com/explain-high-sensitivity/ )
Don't fix physically being uncomfortable with food: hot, cold, hungry, bad taste in my mouth, lightheadedness, feeling 'weird' vibes, too many people around me
Move every day
Make sure to get Yin and Yang type exercises
Do something (haven't figured out what yet) a couple weeks before my period when the appetite increases to that of a bear before hibernation!

Spiritual
Pray
Meditate
Ask for help
Clear my chakras
Use visualizations
Keep increasing self-love & self-respect

It all sounds pretty comprehensive - like I am pushing the restart button on my life without using the easy button. Like getting uncomfortable just got unfun. What I can say though, is that I feel good about understanding why the simple diet plans didn't work for me. I've FINALLY touched on something deep down inside that just may be the answer to my dream. Maybe being uncomfortable really is the way to paradise.

If you want to view paradise

Simply look around and view it

Anything you want to, do it

Wanna change the world?

There's nothing to it.

There is no life I know

To compare with pure imagination

Living there you'll be free

If you truly wish to be