As Halloween approaches, Iāve been thinking about the idea of trick or treat-not just in costumes and candy, but in how we cope, consume, and conform. š§ š How often do our ātreatsā turn out to be tricks? Something we indulge in for comfort, celebration, or escapeā¦ only to regret it later. Maybe not immediately, but the next day, week, or even years down the line. How many times have you said, āI wish I hadnāt done thatā?
š Playing It Forward
We often hear the phrase āshort-term pain for long-term gainā, a reminder to think ahead. But what about the reverse? Sometimes, short-term gain leads to long-term pain. š¬
That glass of wine š·, slice of cake š°, or scroll through social media š± might soothe us now, but repeated use can quietly chip away at our wellbeing. This is playing it forward – our choices today shaping our tomorrow.
Every decision has consequences: immediate, short-term, medium-term, and long-term for both positive and negative.
š§āāļø Sitting with Discomfort
In Yin Yoga, we do three things:
1. Find our edge (not too comfy, not too painful, aiming for a 5 or 6 out of 10),
2. Come to stillness, and
3. Hold for time.
Itās a practice in sitting with discomfort. Yet in life, we rarely just sit with anything. Emotions like sadness, frustration, or joy are often served with a side of something: wine, food, shopping, scrolling. š·š«šļøš±
Weāve become so used to consuming alongside feeling that simply being feels incomplete.
š§ Raw Experience Takes Courage
Experiencing life raw and without numbing, distracting, or performing takes courage and practice. šŖ
Also, if we donāt join in the usual coping rituals, we risk being labelled as boring, uptight, or a killjoy. Sometimes, it even feels like somethingās missing. I know this is my biggest challenge.
š± What Can We Do?
As always embrace the Love You Philosophy of the Ebb and Flow of Life!
Start with awareness. Notice your patterns. Be curious, not judgmental. šµļøāāļøš
Try naming the emotion youāre feeling and just sit with it.
š§Ŗ Example:
When I used to drink alcohol, Iād pour a glass of wine every Friday night to ācelebrateā surviving the week.
But really? I was tired and stressed.
The treat was the wine.
The trick was poor sleep and sluggish weekends, making Mondays even harder.
š Choose Treats Without Tricks
Itās okay to enjoy cake, wine, or a scroll but just know why youāre doing it.
And know when you donāt need to.
Try cultivating alternative treats that nourish without hidden costs.
For me now, itās an early night on Friday š so I can wake up refreshed and vibrant for the weekend. šāØ
So Love You! Sitting with all that life offers this Halloween š»
Love you: Health and Well-being with Lorraine 