Small Talk Is Draining and Other Truths I’m Owning
When the same few things keep swirling around in my head, I have to get them out! So here’s my attempt at that...
Toothpicks
The other day, my husband, a Neuroradiologist, was telling me about a crazy case he read at work. It had something to do with the spine…I don’t remember much other than that. But then he said something I’ll never forget - “We’re all being held together by toothpicks.”
What a sentence! Of course, I understood what he meant in terms of the human body, but I definitely extrapolated and applied it to life in general.
It definitely feels like everything is being held together by toothpicks. Our lives, the future, the Earth, the ENTIRE UNIVERSE!
A scary thought but also a fascinating one. One that gives you a lot more gratitude for the toothpicks that are holding you together!
Consistent Action
The more I examine my life and the lives of those around me, I’ve come to see that the key to consistent action is doing more of the things YOU love. Doing them for YOU versus other people.
Of course, we all have to do things we don’t love, and there’s often a risk associated with not doing those things, so we do them (re: adulting).
I’m more so talking about things that people talk about wanting to do but end up putting off - exercise, eating at home more, reading, etc.
Find a way of exercising that you love and do that. I bet you’ll do it more consistently.
Find meals you love cooking and eating. I bet you’ll cook more at home if you do.
Find books that light you up and make you want to crawl into bed early to read. I bet you’ll read more often.
I think we’re all caught in a loop of what will XYZ think of me/how will this make me look/what will they say about me. This kind of thinking kills our desire to take action. Oftentimes, we may still take action, but it’s action we think other people would approve of. But because it’s not what we actually want to do, we don’t do it regularly. The appeal wears off quickly.
Bottomline - do what YOU want to do…what YOU love to do…what lights YOU up. Other people are not thinking of you as much as you think they are. Period.
Small Talk Is Exhausting!
I attended a few things last week where I had to participate in some small talk, and let me tell you, it’s exhausting! I love deep conversations and find them life giving. However, small talk drains me like nothing else. I’ve told my husband on several occasions (jokingly) that I’m going to start conversations with people I don’t know well with, “Tell me about your relationship with your mom.” Not a great idea per my husband!
But it’s interesting how in my 20’s and into my 30’s I didn’t mind small talk. I loved getting to know people slowly. I still enjoy getting to know people, but now I prefer getting to the good stuff quicker.
I’m thinking about getting a t-shirt to demonstrate this sentiment. That too will probably be a no go with the husband!
What’s a recent thought that made you scratch your head and think a bit more deeply? Does small talk exhaust you?
Shakti Credits and Debits
Shakti Credits
We celebrated my son’s 8th birthday with friends and family last weekend, and it was heartwarming to see and feel just how much love we’re surrounded by.
We went to the kids’ first Braves game last weekend, and it was so fun to watch them experience a game that was such an integral part of my childhood (I played baseball in an all girls league for eight years).
Shakti Debits
My grandmother has been visiting us for the past two months and living with my parents, which has been a shakti credit experience. However, she leaves us next week, and anytime I even think about it, I start crying. I’m going to miss her so much!
Par’s Picks
I’m not a huge fan of protein bars…probably because I haven’t one I really love. I recently tried the Aloha Peanut Butter Cup bar, and I must say, it’s pretty good! Doesn’t taste like a Reese’s Cup, but it has a nice peanut butter chocolate flavor. With 14 grams of protein and 240 calories, it doesn’t qualify as a high protein food, but it leaves me satisfied until my next meal. AND it tastes good! This is definitely one I can put my name behind.
I made this Butter Paneer (+ tofu because I add extra firm tofu) for dinner and got zero complaints! I make this dish every few weeks, and 99.9% of the time, we leave the kitchen with full and happy bellies. Highly recommend adding this to your weekly meal plan. [I adjust the recipe a little with the spices, so get creative and make this per your family’s taste buds!]
This 10% Happier episode shares health information in a way that everyone can understand and take something away from. Muscle is so important for our metabolism and longevity. I hope more about this topic is shared in ways that are easy to comprehend for us non-science people!