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WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I STARTED LIVING DELIBERATELY
What does it mean to live deliberately? Our Director of Instructor Training Sara Catherine Wheatley has embraced this intention in every area of her life, and she’s loving its profound and happy-inducing impact on her mind, body, and soul. We asked Sara Catherine to take us through her journey to making more deliberate decisions, the major changes she’s made, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
MEDIA TIMEOUT: Unless you’re living under a rock, you’re probably feeling the inundation of media and marketing messages all day, every day. I made the choice to scale back on social media (take Facebook off the phone!), cancel my cable package, and put my phone away after 8 PM every night. While I felt shaky and nervous during my “withdrawal phase,” the results have been amazing. I feel lighter and more connected in the present moment instead of worrying about posting pictures of the present moment. Instead of falling for click-bait on Facebook, I curate my sources of news and read full articles from trusted journalists. I read novels and nonfiction. And you know what? I still know what is going on with my friends. I’m still up-to-date on the affairs of the world. And my mind is calmer and less anxious. I highly recommend turning off your notifications and enjoying the world around you.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: I’ll admit: I used to scrutinize everything I put in my mouth in the name of weight loss and diets. And yet, I was hungry, heavy, and lethargic. That all changed when I learned to listen to my body’s cues and eat whole foods that fulfill my body’s needs. I work hard to buy the best quality foods that I can, keeping in mind my budget, the season, and what I have access to. I found a CSA through my neighborhood farmer’s market, and I now procure most of my veggies and meat through area farmers. It’s food raised by people who are also making very deliberate choices, and I swear the energy that comes from it is different. It fuels and sustains me—and I feel great about supporting my local economy!
LISTEN UP: My mama taught me that you are the company you keep, and it’s so true. I strive to surround myself with people who will stretch and support me. My core group keeps me focused and accountable by asking questions and being active listeners. I’ve really been working on the latter, and I’ve found that since I started really listening when people answer questions, my energy attracts even more fantastic people into my life. Listening is definitely a deliberate choice, but the deep connection that you build with people as a result is worth the challenge of changing your habits.
LESS IS MORE: Can we all agree that we consume way too much? It’s built into our culture, but last year, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo, really changed my life. I tore apart my house, touched everything, and made a deliberate decision to get rid of anything that didn’t spark joy. Since then, my home is neater, I wear the clothes that I already have, and my surroundings are filled with things that make me happy. When I do buy, I make sure to get things that I need, will use, and absolutely love. Overconsumption is wreaking havoc on our environment as well, and I want to do my best to leave as little behind as possible.
MAKING TIME: Living deliberately means making time for life’s most important things: family, friends, love, laughter, good food, great wine, taking care of yourself, letting the wonder of the universe strike awe in you, relishing in the mundane events of our day to day. Those things that seem commonplace are really all the beautiful threads we weave together to create our lives and our legacy. Dig in. Life is precious and short. Make the choice to live and love with wild abandon. We never know when we’ll run out of time.
LOOKING FORWARD: In the past, there was only one reason why I would torture myself with exercise: the hope of losing weight and having the perfect body. That said, I never got what I wanted from pounding my joints in boot–camp classes or churning out endless sessions on the treadmill. Then B3 helped me realize that exercise isn’t about weight loss—it’s about longevity. It’s about the power of feeling comfortable, confident, and alive in my own skin.
I recently read Lightness of Body and Mind: A Radical Approach to Weight and Wellness, by Sarah Hays Coomer, and in it she talks about drawing a vivid picture of the kind of old lady you want to be. For me, that’s living in a tropical place with sun-stained shoulders, long wavy hair, flowy dresses, lots of jewelry, and cooking delicious meals paired with good wine and even better conversation. Also, taking up painting, flower arranging, and tai chi, then living out my days with my sweet companion and a few cats. Coomer says that every choice you make in your health and wellness journey should bring you one step closer to the vision. THIS idea changed me. I can’t wait to be that old lady.
DAILY PRACTICE: I’ve learned that for me, it’s all about making small yet consistent decisions that make a big impact. Like choosing to eat foods that nourish me and make me feel good—whether that’s grass-fed beef and local greens, or a fun night out eating tacos with friends—and not feeling guilty about it. Making time to connect with friends and family, or reading a book instead of turning on the TV or checking Facebook. Choosing to revitalize my old wardrobe instead of always buying new. Purchasing beauty products that are made of natural ingredients instead of chemicals and toxins. Choosing to take a B3 class to clear my mind and energize my body instead of engaging with exercise that leaves me depleted and feeling down on myself.
It may not seem like much, but in the end, all these little, deliberate choices lead to an authentic and rich life filled with more love, more joy, and a deeper sense of happiness.
What does it mean to live deliberately? Our Director of Instructor Training Sara Catherine Wheatley has embraced this intention in every area of her life, and she’s loving its profound and happy-inducing impact on her mind, body, and soul. We asked Sara Catherine to take us through her journey to making more deliberate decisions, the major changes she’s made, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
MEDIA TIMEOUT: Unless you’re living under a rock, you’re probably feeling the inundation of media and marketing messages all day, every day. I made the choice to scale back on social media (take Facebook off the phone!), cancel my cable package, and put my phone away after 8 PM every night. While I felt shaky and nervous during my “withdrawal phase,” the results have been amazing. I feel lighter and more connected in the present moment instead of worrying about posting pictures of the present moment. Instead of falling for click-bait on Facebook, I curate my sources of news and read full articles from trusted journalists. I read novels and nonfiction. And you know what? I still know what is going on with my friends. I’m still up-to-date on the affairs of the world. And my mind is calmer and less anxious. I highly recommend turning off your notifications and enjoying the world around you.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: I’ll admit: I used to scrutinize everything I put in my mouth in the name of weight loss and diets. And yet, I was hungry, heavy, and lethargic. That all changed when I learned to listen to my body’s cues and eat whole foods that fulfill my body’s needs. I work hard to buy the best quality foods that I can, keeping in mind my budget, the season, and what I have access to. I found a CSA through my neighborhood farmer’s market, and I now procure most of my veggies and meat through area farmers. It’s food raised by people who are also making very deliberate choices, and I swear the energy that comes from it is different. It fuels and sustains me—and I feel great about supporting my local economy!
LISTEN UP: My mama taught me that you are the company you keep, and it’s so true. I strive to surround myself with people who will stretch and support me. My core group keeps me focused and accountable by asking questions and being active listeners. I’ve really been working on the latter, and I’ve found that since I started really listening when people answer questions, my energy attracts even more fantastic people into my life. Listening is definitely a deliberate choice, but the deep connection that you build with people as a result is worth the challenge of changing your habits.
LESS IS MORE: Can we all agree that we consume way too much? It’s built into our culture, but last year, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo, really changed my life. I tore apart my house, touched everything, and made a deliberate decision to get rid of anything that didn’t spark joy. Since then, my home is neater, I wear the clothes that I already have, and my surroundings are filled with things that make me happy. When I do buy, I make sure to get things that I need, will use, and absolutely love. Overconsumption is wreaking havoc on our environment as well, and I want to do my best to leave as little behind as possible.
MAKING TIME: Living deliberately means making time for life’s most important things: family, friends, love, laughter, good food, great wine, taking care of yourself, letting the wonder of the universe strike awe in you, relishing in the mundane events of our day to day. Those things that seem commonplace are really all the beautiful threads we weave together to create our lives and our legacy. Dig in. Life is precious and short. Make the choice to live and love with wild abandon. We never know when we’ll run out of time.
LOOKING FORWARD: In the past, there was only one reason why I would torture myself with exercise: the hope of losing weight and having the perfect body. That said, I never got what I wanted from pounding my joints in boot–camp classes or churning out endless sessions on the treadmill. Then B3 helped me realize that exercise isn’t about weight loss—it’s about longevity. It’s about the power of feeling comfortable, confident, and alive in my own skin.
I recently read Lightness of Body and Mind: A Radical Approach to Weight and Wellness, by Sarah Hays Coomer, and in it she talks about drawing a vivid picture of the kind of old lady you want to be. For me, that’s living in a tropical place with sun-stained shoulders, long wavy hair, flowy dresses, lots of jewelry, and cooking delicious meals paired with good wine and even better conversation. Also, taking up painting, flower arranging, and tai chi, then living out my days with my sweet companion and a few cats. Coomer says that every choice you make in your health and wellness journey should bring you one step closer to the vision. THIS idea changed me. I can’t wait to be that old lady.
DAILY PRACTICE: I’ve learned that for me, it’s all about making small yet consistent decisions that make a big impact. Like choosing to eat foods that nourish me and make me feel good—whether that’s grass-fed beef and local greens, or a fun night out eating tacos with friends—and not feeling guilty about it. Making time to connect with friends and family, or reading a book instead of turning on the TV or checking Facebook. Choosing to revitalize my old wardrobe instead of always buying new. Purchasing beauty products that are made of natural ingredients instead of chemicals and toxins. Choosing to take a B3 class to clear my mind and energize my body instead of engaging with exercise that leaves me depleted and feeling down on myself.
It may not seem like much, but in the end, all these little, deliberate choices lead to an authentic and rich life filled with more love, more joy, and a deeper sense of happiness.
