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Willpower: Why It’s a Problematic Word
In more areas than just diet
Willpower is a problematic word. It’s used when we’re stuck in a pattern of telling our bodies what they need and what to do, rather than listening to and being in tune with them. This doesn’t apply only to food!
Modern society tells us that if we have strong willpower, we will ignore our body’s true needs and desires in pursuit of better “health”
Let’s say we’re feeling run down or like we simply want to relax, but we also feel like we should go to the gym and crank out an intense workout. Modern society tells us that if we have strong willpower, we will ignore our body’s true needs and desires in pursuit of better “health” by forcing a strict workout routine, even if it depletes us and drains us of our joy.
Let’s say we have an ex-partner and we desperately want to reach out for closure, but we tell ourselves it’s a bad idea, force the urge away and attempt to move on. Sure, in some cases this may truly be a bad idea. However, this is an example of suppressing our desire for self-expression, communication, our need to be heard and the need for emotional closure. The unspoken words inevitably bubble up inside of us, causing added stress and anxiety over the long-term. (And what do many of us like to do when we’re stressed? EAT, mindlessly.)
