Feeling obligated?

How often do you feel obligated?

Do you often find yourself feeling resentful of others? Does it feel as if you spend lots of time doing for everyone else other than yourself? Chances are, you have hidden patterns of obligation. Obligation patterns tend to be the things that you do in order to feel accepted, loved, or valued by others. Read that again. 

Many of the things you do habitually are likely a result of inherited obligations. 

You can inherit patterns of obligation from your family or culture. In the past, for example, there were often things 'required’ of those who were female, the only male, or the oldest. These requirements have likely gone unchecked and not spoken about for many years. Most are outdated. However, without awareness of what actions you take out of obligation, you will likely find yourself feeling depleted and lacking in self-care and self-love. 

When you can weed out where you invest time, money, and energy out of obligation vs desire, you can more easily access the choices that fill you up.

What would you love to do but haven’t because you’re committing too much time in areas of obligation? Create a list. Make these new choices your point of focus. 

Your obligation challenge.

Before taking any action in the week ahead, ask the simple question of “Why am I doing this?” If the reason is because this response or choice will lead you closer to feeling what you desire feeling, you’re on the right path. If, however, you recognize that you’re about to do something in order to please someone else, stop and choose better. This simple practice will help you break out of the obligation trap.

Only you can create the life you desire, choice by choice, action by action.