are constraints ever a good thing?

hear me out

When I started drafting this, I thought I might really be onto something. Then I got covid and now I’m not so sure. Perhaps this is a silly disclaimer: these thoughts are a little half-baked, but I think there may be something here, if you’ll indulge me.

I don’t have any kind of “goals” with respect to my body, other than just to feel well and taken care of. I don’t track bodily things, except migraine patterns, and I definitely don’t diet. I generally don’t like constraints, and I have been known to push back against myself when I create too many arbitrary ones. I am aware of nutritional content insofar as it helps me understand what ingredients will help me feel fueled and satiated, I only move my body in ways that feel good to me, and I only ever push myself (mentally, physically, emotionally) when I am getting a clear “yes” from my whole system¹.

Still, I couldn’t help but notice that when we were off-grid in Maine in August, I really benefitted from the many different constraints …