Spring Into Your Best Self
Spring starts today!! Spring is a natural time for birth and rebirth. I have written quite a bit of this blog around self development, growth, and being the best version of yourself. As you pursue growth, you'll face challenges and obstacles. In yogic tradition, these are called Avidia, or obstacles. These may be internal or external barriers or resistance. As you step outside your comfort zone and take action to create your best life, self doubt may arise, old habits may creep back, or you may decide that what you thought you wanted is no longer important to your path.
When starting to make changes in your life, whether it is starting a new fitness routine, enhancing your social life, or starting a daily practice, choose one thing at the time to start with. By focusing on one goal at a time, we can prevent overwhelm. When we try to do everything at once, we can feel overwhelmed, or we can slip up and not always meet our goals. That is OK! Trying to be perfect, eat perfectly, move daily, journal habits, stay optimistic, accumulate wealth, and please everyone creates unnecessary pressure. Master one area at your own pace before moving on. I have shared parts of my journey from postpartum to certified life coach, and it started with committing to 5 minutes of meditation a day. Then, I added drinking the right amount of water for me. I didn’t push myself to journal all my food, workout for 90 minutes everyday, restrict my budget, complete my program and grow my blog overnight. It was mastering one tiny habit at a time, until I felt confident that it was in place before I added another action. By doing so, and by setting minimum targets, I slowly moved from funk to fit and flourishing!
Don't be afraid to try different methods. Seek out a coach, an accountability partner, calendar your commitments to yourself, and don’t leave making yourself a priority until after you take care of everyone and everything else. Join a club or team, talk with a therapist or even try acupuncture or hypnosis! Not all of these strategies may be for you, but what are you doing to try something new? If what you have done in the past hasn’t worked, or created the lasting results that you desire, try something new!
Another thing that happens when you start to make changes, is that you may receive unsolicited opinions and advice from people. You can choose how you react to outside opinions, but some reactions are inherently healthier and more productive than others. When we receive advice from others, or are met with inquisition, we tend to get defensive. Notice when this happens for you. Instead of getting defensive when people question your actions or challenge your goals, try this. Appreciate their concern. You don't need to argue with those unaware of your personal life. Appreciation raises your vibrations and creates the kinds of thoughts and energy that will get you closer to your goals. If you get reactive, or defensive, that lowers your vibrations, your head fills with thoughts that cause frustration, agitation and possibly anger. This lowers your energy and can be a barrier to you achieving your goals. Appreciate their concern, and then do what you think is best. You can’t control them, you can’t make them stay in their own lane, but you can control how you react and the thoughts that create your emotions.
Choose confidants wisely. As we start to make changes in our lives, we may find that we outgrow people and situations that for whatever reason don’t want us to change. Our fitness routine, or going back to school, changing jobs or new relationships may leave them fearful of losing you, or uncomfortable about thinking about making changes themselves. There were things I didn’t share about my divorce, where I was moving, or when I started my coaching program, because I knew that very well intentioned people would share their 2 cents, and that their thoughts could get in my head. I also knew that there was the possibility that I may have to outgrow some of my relationships to be the person that I truly wish to be. This is scary, AND you can do it. If you are focused on your highest good, then you won’t notice what you are leaving behind because you are soaring forward! Also, when you do choose to share with someone, assess them properly. If you know your best friend or family member will judge or criticize you, find someone else who is on the same journey as you. You can learn from their path and, like Canada Geese, they can draft you as you move toward your destination.
So to recap, before you begin to spring into a new version of yourself, reflect on the person you aspire to be. Set realistic expectations and start with small, bitesize goals that grow your confidence and develop your trust with yourself that you will follow through. Gradually tackle more challenging issues. Spend time thinking about who or what you might outgrow along the way, so you are not surprised when obstacles arise. Be selective about who you are sharing your plans with, make sure they are like minded and hopefully moving in the direction you want to go. Try thinking outside of the box. Reflect on what you have done in the past, and what you could try differently this time.
As you take tiny, inspired actions, you will find fulfillment, contentment and you will start to trust that you will follow through and achieve your dreams. Or, at least you will gain clarity that what you thought you wanted is no longer a priority. Share your success story with accountability partners and possibly others to inspire others on their own journey.
As you step into this season of Spring, be open to the magic of possibilities.
