Because you think you should...

Sometimes we continue to do things in out lives because we think we should, yet these activities have long since lost any meaning for us. Here's some examples of how this can show up:

  • going to a religious establishment regularly with no interest, because you think you should
  • working in a career you're unhappy with, because you think you should
  • donating money to a charity, because you think you should
  • agreeing with what someone says even when you don't, because you think you should
  • studying for a degree that doesn't interest you, because you think you should

Some of these activities are important AND I'm asking you to check in on your motivation for doing these things. Are you doing them because they give you a deep sense of fulfillment and contribute to your happiness, or are you doing them because you think you should? One feels like being drawn forward, one feels like being pushed; and who likes to be pushed around?

Think about the activities that fill your life and identify something that feels like a "should". You're not really enjoying it and if you felt you had a choice, you would rather be doing something else. Identify one thing that your doing and apply the following EFT sequence using this tapping points guide:

Karate Chop:Even though I think I should be doing this but don't really want to, I accept how I feel. Even though I'm doing this because others think I should, I give myself permission to make up my own mind. Even though I'm doing this activity out of obligation rather than joy, I choose to release the obligation and check in with what brings me true joy and happiness.
Head:Feel like I should do this
Eyebrows:Feeling obligated to do this
Side of Eyes:Can I recognise the choice I have to do this?
Under Eyes:Doing this because I think I should
Under Nose:Finding a way to do what will being me lasting happiness
Chin Point:What would it mean if I chose not to do this?
Collarbones:What choice am I overlooking in doing this?
Under Arms:This feeling of being pushed
Wrist Points:What feeling drives this obligation?
Head:I'm ready to make a choice that will serve myself and others
Eyebrows:Don't want to 'should' on myself anymore?
Side of Eyes:I choose to love and respect myself by making a mature, responsible, and joyful choice
Under Eyes:Still feeling obligated to continue down this path
Under Nose:What are the consequences if I change my mind now?
Chin Point:Still feeling obligated to do this
Collarbones:Am I missing the true joy to be found in this?
Under Arms:What would make me even more happy?
Wrist Points: accept the choice I make that's deeply congruent with who I really am, and each day seek ways to move towards even more joy.

Depending on your investment in the activity you may not be able to change your path immediately. If it's a change of career, you still need to pay the bills while you change careers. But if you can make little improvements each day that move you towards what you want and away from what you don't want, letting go of the shoulds and embracing the joy along the way, your life will definitely change for the better.