Flavor and Savor
Today, let’s work to identify what’s important to you so you can start to practice that daily… and celebrate when you do! Two of the main components of ACT are “values” and “committed action.” Values are qualities of behavior we bring to our daily life and committed action is taking steps towards living those values.
Often, anxiety will come along for the ride when we take committed action because doing things that really matter to us can feel a bit scary! Any change we make feels scary for our mind because it is wired for survival, so it wants to keep us as safe as possible, and safety to our mind is comfort and familiar. Yet, if we want things in our life to change, we must make changes to our familiar. This will spike anxiety- that’s ok, that’s good! We can thank our mind for working to protect us, send breath towards any anxious sensation and still take that committed action step.
So, to start identifying your values, you can ask yourself, “If someone were to ask my partner or best friend to describe me in a couple words, what would I love for them to say about me?”
Come up with about three descriptive words such as, “creative, loving, dependable, adventurous, courageous, generous, honest…” If you need help- look here.
Let’s pretend your three are creative, honest and generous. Now you get to flavor and savor!
Flavor
Now your mission is throughout the day to “sprinkle” those values into your interactions and activities. Look for ways to be generous, creative and honest. For those of you who enjoy cooking, think about it like adding some paprika, garlic powder or cumin to the mix, you are adding unique flavor that you enjoy and that matters to you! After you add the flavor…
Savor
Take a moment to pause and savor the fact that you just lived your value(s). You intentionally acted on what matters most to you and brought that to your relationships, self or activities. That’s a big deal! Celebrate! Allow yourself to feel pride, gratitude or joy. Notice it in your body, what it feels like and what sensations pop up. Encourage yourself by sending yourself a “well done,” “yeaaaa boy” or “you go girl.”
Living our values can be so powerful for our wellbeing!
It can deepen our connection to others
Help us understand ourselves better
Deepen our feelings of empowerment and sense of self
Give us satisfaction in working towards a life full of meaning
We can see results of our efforts
It can help change our relationship to anxiety
You got this! Flavor and savor!