♫ “Guess who’s back, back again, Clean Eats is back, tell a friend.” ♫
Hold up a sec. I think I forgot my pants.
Ok so remember the rut I talked about almost a month ago? Wait, what do you mean you don’t recall that particular post? Pish posh, I’m not sure why the details of my personal life don’t stick with you because they totally should. Am I merely a giant bowl of granola in your eyes? A walking bag of oats, nuts and banana chips? Gasp.
Clearly, I’m disappointed in this sudden revelation. We may even need to have a serious chat, although in the meantime, I’ll wait, patiently even, while you go back and read the post I’m talking about: What The Rut. It’s a short one; sort of.
*Whistles, while she waits.
All caught up now? Good, much better.
The same rut I was content luxuriating in, may be over now. Similar to how it began, there was no trigger for the change, just a simple and slow progression towards a new direction. It’s been a nice, natural, ebb and flow, a smooth transition if you will. I can’t really say I did any one thing or even worked my way out of this. I kind of let it be, and things just started percolating as a result. Specifically:
I started running, which is weird for me. My family will back me up here, not that I need backing up because you should take everything I say as gospel, minus the whole carrying a tune part, and believe me, it’s not for a lack of trying.
I started singing again. Or rapping, as seen in my introduction. ♫ “Two trailer park girls go ’round the outside, ’round the outside, ’round the outside.” ♫ I can also spit mad lyrics to Snoop’s Lodi Dodi. Some people would be embarrassed to admit this; not me.
Oh, and there’s been plenty of dancing too. A little bit of hip shaking, coupled with money-making, minus the actual exchange of cash because I’m not that kind of girl.
I’ve been laughing a lot. Mostly at stupid stuff, which is appropriate given my taste level.
On Sunday night, I was dubbed the Mighty Mac Daddy. I like this assessment.
I’ve also spent hours upon hours with my furry friends.
Somebody’s gotten into the nip again.
And, I spent a glorious handful of unforgettable minutes with the Hubby. Of course, I mean it like that.
I drank my first ever chocolate smoothie. Yes, it involved bananas.
I ate hands down, bar none, the best wrap ever from Nature’s Bin. It was chock full of sweet potatoes, barley, beans, cheddar, peppers, onions and I have no idea what else. All I really know is it was out of this world.
I started cooking again and more than just donuts.
I prepared and ingested multiple servings of my beloved veggies.
I made and devoured my first salad in months. Who cares if I forgot the tomatoes? It just gives me a reason to make another one.
I made it a point to spend less time at the office and even enjoyed a three-day weekend recently. It was sweet, sweet bliss.
I made my way back to the yoga studio, where the instructor not only played an acoustic version of Outkast’s Hey Ya, he sang it too. That’s my kind of teacher right there.
I listened to guided imagery on stress management, where I fell asleep often. Naps do a body good.
I removed expectations for myself.
It’s amazing how much smoother things happen, when you erase the pressure to make them happen. Plus at the end of the day, it’s hard to beat yourself up or feel guilty if you’ve made no assumptions about what your day should resemble. Now, when you do accomplish something, you’re ahead of the game, a rock star so to speak.
For me, surrendering to the rut and embracing the same is what actually allowed me to change my trajectory, yet again.
I was in a rut, and I was happy. I’m no longer in a rut, and guess what, I’m still happy.
Do you embrace being in a rut, or do you fight it? If the latter, does it work for you? Have you ever tried guided imagery?
Welcome baaaack!
So glad you are still happy. I mean, who deserves it more than you.
And now you just have to come here and cook for me. I don’t mind if you bring the chocolate smoothie and that wrap too.
Ok, you can also bring fuzzy balls (I wrote furry balls furst. I can’t…..), furry friends and hubby and we can all shake bootays together.
Lucie@FitSwissChick recently posted…Chestnut Chocolate Chunk Cookies
I would love to come to Switzerland. Once the Hubby is done with school and happily employed, we plan to do a lot of traveling again. Switzerland will be on the list.
Furry balls need manscaping. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Guess Who’s Back? Back Again.
Yay for out of the rut! The less pressure we put on ourselves, the better. That’s always been my way of thinking. I have never been a goal setter, a plan follower or someone who puts much pressure on things. I always felt as though doing that sort of stuff would make everything feel forced and not the best approach for me. I handle my running the same way – I don’t set out for certain times or types of runs, I just run the way I feel when I want to. I run because I like it, not because I feel like I have to. Totally works for me. That wrap looks awesome!
meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles recently posted…#NYTough P&G Giveaway (plus Amex Gift Card!)
You’ve got it exactly right. We should do things because we enjoy them, not because of some arbitrary expectations we set for ourselves. Sing it sister. For real, sing it. I love to hear people sing, especially if they’re can’t carry a tune.
Meghan recently posted…Guess Who’s Back? Back Again.
STILL want to try guided imagery…on a yoga mat…in a dark room. Kinda sounds amazing!
Kirtley @ The Gist of Fit recently posted…How to make a recipe healthier—the guide to healthy substitutes
Guided imagery is great. I’ve used it before and it’s very calming and relaxing. I’d recommend it to anyone.
Meghan recently posted…Guess Who’s Back? Back Again.
Oh I’ve seen that movie many times. Good for you for taking such great action on getting out of it. I just tend to wallow for a while before I realize I’m even in a rut!
Yoga helps so much. So does sleep.. Lots of sleep.
Glad things are looking up for you and hope you find your pants (should you want to find your pants).
caren recently posted…Last minute online gift ideas for the fit obsessed
Sleep and yoga is a fabulous duo, although not at the same time because that would be talent right there.
Meghan recently posted…Guess Who’s Back? Back Again.
After our salad exchange on Facebook, I realized I too had forgotten my tomatoes and rushed into the kitchen to chop some up. Dee-lish.
Adjusting to life in the US of A has put me in somewhat of a rut. Not a rut so much as a transitional period…moving to a new place, looking for a job, etc. The good news it’s easier to do here than abroad, but I do need to focus on taking everything one day at a time.
One day at a time is a good way to tackle it, and I suspect you’ve got a bit of culture shock being back. It seems only natural you’d need to readapt.
Meghan recently posted…Guess Who’s Back? Back Again.
I don’t know where to begin. HELL YES FOR THe running, and salad, and that effffinggg wrap. GORGEOUS. Ruts happen, and you make them look damn good.
Brittany recently posted…Empty Mind, Filled Soul
Why thank you my dear, she says whilst dusting shoulder off. 😉
Meghan recently posted…Guess Who’s Back? Back Again.
I’ll forgive you for getting Eminem stuck in my head for the rest of tonight, but if I’m still singing him tomorrow, we’re going to have a serious talk.
I’m happy to see you rapping again. And being your wonderfully sassy self. I’m in a bit of a rut myself at the moment, but I feel like I’m -finally- starting to come out of it after our little chat. Taking the pressure off definitely helps, as does colouring 🙂
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. merry, merry christmas survey! .
Eminem is a good one to get stuck in your head, especially this: ♫ “Two trailer park girls go ’round the outside, ’round the outside, ’round the outside.” ♫
I’m happy to be of service.
Meghan recently posted…Guess Who’s Back? Back Again.
I just wanna stare at your salad….. and your fuzzy balls.
Amanda @ fridaylovesong.net recently posted…My Fitness Realization
You and me both. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Guess Who’s Back? Back Again.
Wahoo welcome homeee…i.e. out of that rut :)! Good to see you chipper, & more lyrical, then ever!! I don’t get too phased by ruts- I just remind myself nothing in life is permanent, so it’s just a matter of time till I find my groove! With so much going on this month, fortunately there’s been no space for a rut! That salad looks gorgeous- I went off salads for a while but they found their way back to my heart (errr I mean stomach) recently :)!
Khushboo recently posted…Staying healthy over the holidays
I went off salads for a while too there, although I’m glad to be back. I forgot how delicious they can be. Now I just need to come to Mumbai so I can eat seasonal fruit again. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Guess Who’s Back? Back Again.
Hopefully sooner rather than later :D!
Khushboo recently posted…Staying healthy over the holidays
I do remember that ‘rut’ and was (pleasantly) surprised to see more posts from you popping up.. bonus because there was no pants. I think as with most things, the less excpectations or pressure we put on ourselves, the better we feel about going about things we were previously second guessing…if that makes sense.
Will the real Meggo please stand up?
PS You are my personal bowl of granola.
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…Paleo Cranberry Walnut Cookies
And put one of those fingers on each hand up?
Still working on my blogging consistency over here, and not doing half bad either, and by half bad, I mean I’m rocking it.
Signed: your bowl of granola.
Meghan recently posted…Guess Who’s Back? Back Again.
I loved the “rut post” especially because you pretty much put in words how I felt a few weeks before and if I am being honest a few month before this as well. I am so glad for you that you came out so smoothly! To stop pressuring yourself is hands down the best thing you can do. It gives us the chance to see again why we wanted to do certain things in the first place.
And a big fat YAY for the singing 🙂
Juli @1000lovelythings recently posted…What I ate Wednesday #67 – Flying High
And I remember your comment on that post, and how maybe a rut opens us up to new avenues we might not have explored before. It really struck a note with me, which of course takes us back to singing. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Guess Who’s Back? Back Again.
i agree with arman. I remember the rut, but i am glad you surrendered, and it brought you here… rapping, cooking, and uh… YOGAing.
Lindsay recently posted…Grain Free Orange Maple Holiday Cookies
Yogaing is totally a thing. If not, can we make it one please?
Meghan recently posted…Guess Who’s Back? Back Again.
lovely post, and lovely fuzzy balls 🙂 too much serious stuff is not for me, i can’t sit through a meeting without having some sort of perveted thought. it’s impossible, and totally okay.
i love guided imagry, i’ve recently started meditating a bit. i like the meditation podcasts, i tend to fall into a nice comfy sleep for a bit, but i awake feeling quite purrrrfect. happy that you’ve reconnected with your inner sparkle, rapper, cook, yogi, comedien, etc.
good to embrace the many layers!
I’m like an ogre or an onion…either way it’s all about the layers.
I really enjoy guided imagery and meditation. They can do wonderful things to our mental state; maybe even bring out our inner rapper. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Foods Which Ease Anxiety Symptoms
So happy to see you back and rapping and pantsless 😉
I still have the meditation app you recommended on my phone, maybe one of these days I’ll get around to trying it. I’m loving yoga right now too though my studio is lacking in the hip-hop.
Sarah Pie recently posted…12 Days of Gluten Free Christmas- Baked Onion Cheese Dip
Every time I go to yoga, I’m always reminded why I love it so much, rap music and all. 🙂
I love the last sentence of this post. It’s so important to remember that our needs change depending on what’s going on in life and how our bodies feel, and to just flow with that change 🙂
Emma @em-poweredwellness recently posted…Friday Favorites: December Highlights
Why thanks Emma. I appreciate it, and I agree. Most times it’s easier to accept and embrace the change in our lives, as opposed to fighting it.
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