Listening to Your Body’s Signals Can Prevent Heartbreak
Even when your mind is willing to chance it
My last 20 years dating have been spent in relationships that weren’t quite right for me but never understanding exactly why. I felt like I had connected with another person deeply, only to realize a few years down the road that we didn’t want the same things and couldn’t remember why we had gotten together. After any breakup, I could tell you the reasons we had finally ended it but never what the underlying cause was.
Worse, I put so much energy into making the relationships work, into convincing us both we were what the other wanted, there was nothing left for my own passions and hobbies. I lost my inner fire in needing to belong to someone, to be validated by their love. After ending yet another five-year cohabitation with someone who didn’t seem to know me at all, the cycle began to reveal itself; I had to look inward for answers.
“The body is designed to support the mind, and this mutual support creates the state known as happiness. When choosing a certain behavior, ask your body, “How do you feel about this?” If your body sends a signal of physical or emotional distress, watch out. If your body sends a signal of comfort and eagerness, proceed.” Deepak Chopra¹
