Change Your Life In 30 Days
It’s been said that “the only thing that stays the same is, everything changes”. Sometimes those changes can feel so out of our control, like we are just reacting to everyday life instead of living it. So how can we be more intentional about what change looks like for us? How can we take the drivers seat towards the future we want for ourselves?
Often times we automatically want to think BIG, but I’m here to show you how small, incremental changes can have a huge impact on your life. Commit to doing even just one of the following each day this week, and reflect on what you notice.
1. Identify a reoccurring thought, and reframe it
According to Dr. Fred Luskin of Stanford University, about 90% of the average person's 60,000 daily thoughts are repeated. If we can identify one of these reoccurring thoughts that aren’t carrying us in the direction of our wildest dreams, we can alter our trajectory. Spend time bringing awareness to your thoughts, and when you notice a negative or even neutral pattern, challenge yourself to choose a more empowering thought. Now write that more empowering thought down, say it out loud to yourself in the mirror every chance you get, every day for the week.
2. Practice stillness
In today’s society we are bombarded with information. We spend increasing amounts of time on our phones and computers, and it is difficult to put them away. Intentionally setting aside time to just be still can make a drastic difference in how you feel both now and in the future. Schedule 10 minutes each day this week to simply slow down and sit or lay in stillness. Take in your surroundings without any agenda, and just notice what comes up for you when you give yourself that time and space.
3. Prioritize creativity
I am a firm believer that creative outlets keep us young. They also often get pushed to the side when life starts life-ing. Take out a piece of paper and write down a list of activities that make your creative juices flow. Let the list snowball! Is there a dance you’ve been wanting to learn? Or a story you’ve been aching to write? Maybe a class you’ve always wanted to take? Big or small write your ideas down, and when you’re done, pick one to do this week. Make a plan for when you want to do the thing, and go out and DO THE THING!
4. Make new connections
This might feel intimidating for some, and that’s ok! You aren’t going to change your life by doing all the same things and having the same conversations, so cozy up to the idea of pushing your comfort zone a bit here. We come across new people every day, but when is the last time you made a real connection with someone new? Especially as we get older, it’s easy to fall into the habit of talking with and hanging out with all the same people. It’s good to have our people! But when you are aligning yourself to a different future, it is easier done with others who want a similar future for themselves. For example, I recently purchased a mountain bike. I bought it because I wanted to kick-start a more active and adventurous lifestyle with an activity that I could enjoy for years to come. Aside from a couple of road rides, however, the bike sat in my apartment most of the summer. Then one day I came across a weekend mountain biking retreat near my home town! I signed up, went to it solo, and came back home with a community of women who love mountain biking. I have plans to get together with a few of them again this weekend! Don’t let fear stop you from building your own community for this next season of your life. Make a point this week to introduce yourself to someone who is in a community you long to be a part of. It could be someone at a yoga class, or another mom at your kids sports game. Or maybe it’s someone you follow online! Fight your fear and introduce yourself. What’s the worst that could happen?
“Change is not an event, it’s a process.”
These are just 4 simple action items that, when repeated, can absolutely change your life. The way you talk to yourself, the people you surround yourself with, allowing yourself stillness, and letting your creativity shine are all gifts you can give yourself starting today. Pick one to explore in the week ahead, then let yourself decide which one is next from there. You have everything within you to create the future you imagine. Start small, and start today.
If you are serious about creating the life you dream of, I would love to support you through coaching. Give yourself the gift of working with someone who wants to see you live your truest and most authentic life. Book a discovery call to get started!
