What Are You a Yes For?
Lately I have been surprised by how many people have been sharing with me that they don’t have any interests or hobbies. When probing a bit deeper, they confess they don’t have much time for themselves, so they don’t know what they love, want to do, or what they want to do next. Have you ever stopped to think about the journey of self-discovery you are on? Nobody is born with a complete understanding of themselves, their aspirations, or their life path. Every day, you are uncovering new things about yourself. So how do you find your way back to your passions and interests?
When you were a kid, you explored ways to play. Sometimes these discoveries continue into adulthood. For me, I loved playing jobs, school in particular, and ripping pretty pictures out of magazines and using decoupage to make collages in my notebooks. I also loved to climb in the trees next to a nearby creek.
These early interests are often the initial clues to what truly captivates your soul - whether it's science, singing, exploration, fashion, writing, or playing with your easy bake oven, if you were lucky enough to have one. I am lucky to have chosen a career that I am still passionate about, and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE spending time in nature. And, I still scrapbook! Also, writing this blog has reminded me that I used to write stories and journal all the time, but somehow, I got the idea that I hated writing and that I was not good at it. These beliefs shaped me until just recently.
So how do you return to your passions and joys? How do you break repetitive habits and rekindle the interests that you love? Here are some questions that are asked by coaches and others throughout time…
Gabby Bernstein always asks the question, what are you a YES for? Here are some ways to rekindle yourself. Sit quietly for a few minutes and focus on your breath. Then ask yourself the following questions…
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
WHAT DO YOU DESIRE?
WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?
WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?
We are constantly bombarded with information and expectations that others place on us, but the truth is, we don't need to have everything figured out every single moment of every single day.
Some days, deciding what to have for dinner can be a challenge. Navigating personal preferences, and professional aspirations can be complex too. Some days, backpacking around the country sounds like the perfect plan, other days I am actually really excited to talk about resistance movements in history, collective behavior in Soc, or to make cookies in Foods.
Part of this human experience is the constant need to make decisions. Constantly making decisions can feel overwhelming at times. Are you making decisions that feed your soul, or are you just trudging along?
It's crucial to remember that with every decision comes an opportunity. When and how are you taking time to ask yourself what you are a YES for? When are you making time for these interests that revitalize you and bring you joy? If you are not putting yourself first at times, ask yourself why? More importantly, ask yourself how others, (your partner, students or children) would benefit if you were happier, more energized and more peaceful. When you think about it like that, self care and pursuing your interests is not a luxury, it is a necessity that has a ripple effect on every aspect of your life and every relationship you have.
Be well,
Traci
