#342 – What makes you show up even when you don't feel like it?

There are times when you want to watch a movie instead of working out, eat an obscenely big, lemon-infused white-chocolate-chip cookie instead of an apple, or check Substack instead of writing your piece.

You may then trust that the Ghost of Misplaced Guilt (GoMG) will kick your behind, making you drag your feet to your promise.

If you've been there, you know it's not pleasant.

Sure, you may show up and do the work, but it'll be with such a heavy feeling of obligation, that you'll resent it. A couple days later, you'll find the right justification to quit––re: the reason that will shut the ghost's mouth.

You'll bite into the cookie with vindictive hunger and retaliatory teeth, forcing the ghost into submission with every chew. And your promise? Voided.

There's another way. It's called commitment, and will help you show up even when you don't feel like it.

Earlier today, while doing my morning pages, I had a whole argument with my GoMG on the page. It was telling me to go write. But I wanted to eat and sleep, I was so tired. Then came the Ghost of Exertion/Exhaustion, "c'mon, c'mon," clapping its hands with fake enthusiasm.

I started to describe the tension I was experiencing: I wanted to eat, sleep and watch a movie, and I also wanted to write and work on my other goals.

As if by magic, the Ghosts shrank to nothing, and I sensed a strength coming from my sternum.

Like a magnet, my commitment was pulling me. No fight was necessary, no need to drag my feet or gag my tiredness.

I could be tired AND still write. And I knew that once I started, it'd be easy. And once I was done, I'd feel fulfilled.

"I do believe in inspiration. But I want it to catch me working."

Pablo Picasso.

Love,

Carolina