Episode 23: What is Self-Led Eating?

When we reach for food, chances are a part is running the show. Maybe it’s eating because your body is hungry, but maybe it’s eating to calm a stressed-out part. Or numb an emotional part. Or soothe a scared part.

These are great examples of our parts trying to be helpful. But sometimes, these eating decisions don’t work well for us. Which is why it’s really helpful to bring in some Self-Energy when we approach food. Your Self has no agenda when it comes to eating, weight, etc.  It just wants you to be happy and nourished.

Bringing Self-Energy to your eating patterns is called Self-Led Eating. 

When we engage in Self-Led Eating, we aren’t being hijacked by our parts that use food for various reasons. We can approach food with some of the Eight C's of Self.  The C's that really lend themselves well to the eating process are:

  • Curiosity

  • Calmness

  • Compassion

  • Creativity

  • Connectedness

Approaching food with some or all of these C's leads to a completely different eating experience.  Imagine really being curious about what you're eating instead of judging yourself for it.  Imagine feeling completely calm around food instead of anxious and fearful.  Imagine treating your body with compassion regardless of what you've eaten.  Doesn't that sound fantastic?

Click below to listen!

Kimberly Daniels