Potato

That’s right…it’s National Potato Day.

(And hey - at least it’s not another photo of underwear. Remember those from a few weeks ago? LOL.)

You’d think my first thought would be Tater Tots, right?

[in my best Homer Simpson voice] Mmmmmm…Tater Tots…

But alas, no.

My first thought?

“Couch potato.”

Why?

Honestly, it’s because I can be one.

Not all the time, but a bit more often than I care to admit.

Here's the thing...

In a recent email, we explored the difference between stillness and doing.

Stillness =

But being a couch potato isn’t stillness.

Spending hours scrolling and watching mindless television isn't actually relaxing, is it?

It's distraction.

From the overwhelm.

Right?

There's some task or tasks that we need to accomplish that feel too big or too hard or like just too much.

So we shut down.

Become one with the couch, phone and television.

We procrastinate.

We...potato.

Any fellow potatoes out there?

Does this sound familiar?

How do we get out of potato mode?

There are many strategies. This is one I’ve recently discovered (and started using!) the R.A.I.N. Mindfulness Method.*

"What the heck is this?" you might be asking.

It’s a simple four-step mindfulness tool that can help us process difficult emotions and situations - like feeling overwhelmed and procrastinating.

I like to have a journal and pen handy when I do this, but it's also OK to just sit quietly and reflect on the questions:

R - Recognize: Notice what is happening right now and what you're feeling. Name it. Without judgment "I'm not getting anything done because I'm afraid of failing."
A - Allow: Let the feeling be there. No fixing it. No fighting it. Just let it be there.
I - Investigate: Be curious. Ask yourself, "What is the story I am telling myself about this task(s) or about me? What do I believe about myself in this moment?"
N-Nurture: Show up with kindness and compassion. Ask yourself, "What do I actually need right now?" Then tell yourself "It's OK to feel this feeling." You can even put your hand over your heart and take some deep calming breaths to calm your nervous system.

So the next time you find yourself potato-ing, maybe try R.A.I.N. and see where it takes you...

Hopefully off of the couch.

* originally created by meditation teacher Michele McDonald, co-founder of Vipassana Hawaii; and later popularized by psychologist/author Tara Brach

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