How to do more of what lights you up in three simple steps
So often when you are feeling stuck people will suggest to “do more of what you love” or to “follow your passion and the things that light you up” and that all sounds well and good but how on earth do you actually do that?
Let's make this process as simple as possible by breaking it down into three steps.
STEP 1: Take Inventory
It is imperative before engaging in change that you create space to take an honest look at where you are now and where you want to be. This allows you to gain clarity and insight on how to move forward in the direction that you desire.
Let’s make it fun & get a little crafty, grab:
A pen
A piece of paper
Two different coloured highlighters
Now, draw a big circle in the middle of the piece of paper and begin to write down everything that you are currently doing, thinking and experiencing on a consistent daily-weekly basis inside of this circle.
Think of this visual as if it encapsulates everything that is on your plate for this season of your life.
Once you have written down everything that you can think of, take out your highlighters!
One highlighter will represent everything on your plate that depletes your energy; causes you to dim your light. A powerful way to identify this on a somatic level is to pay attention to when your body feels a sense of contraction.
Once you have completed this, you can assume that the remaining things on your plate give you energy; light you up and create a feeling of expansion and openness within your body. They are generally things that you enjoy and/or would like to continue doing.
Take your time on this step, going away and coming back to it over the coming days or weeks making any necessary changes along the way.
NOTE: You might like to begin writing down things that you have been thinking about that light you up that you are not currently engaging in around the outside of your plate (on the placemat).
STEP 2: Cultivate Awareness
Cultivating awareness allows you to gain an ability to understand yourself and surroundings on a deeper level so that you can better assess your needs, preferences and desires or in this case what nourishes your energy and sense of wellbeing and what depletes it.
You can begin to cultivate awareness as you move throughout your day, paying attention to what things cause your mind-body to expand and contract.
Asking yourself, did that give me energy or did it deplete my energy?
This might look like paying attention to how certain foods, people and places make you feel.
To keep track, we suggest that you create a “what lights me up” & “what dims me” lists in the notes section of your phone which you can then use to add these experiences to your inventory exercise.
Similarly to Step 1, take as much time as you need on this step, this is such a crucial practice and one that you can continue on with for the rest of your life if desired. Knowing that as you evolve so will the things that light you up & dim you.
STEP 3: Take Aligned Action
Before you dive in and try to remove everything from your life that depletes you all at once, I urge to you take a moment of pause.
In order to create lasting, sustainable change in your life it is imperative that you have the support of your subconscious mind. The subconscious is responsible for 95% of cognitive function and it LOVES what is familiar because familiar = safe.
The subconscious's primary intention is to keep you alive and well, you are alive so it has done its job. Therefore, any drastic changes will likely be met with resistance, self sabotage, procrastination - you name it!
One way to reprogram the subconscious mind is through repetition so start small and choose one thing on your plate that depletes you that you would like to swap out for something that lights you up. Make this process familiar (safe) to the subconscious mind through consistently taking action so that you can be supported as you make these changes and show your subconscious & nervous system that it is safe to do more of what lights you up.
EXTRA TIPS:
Before taking your aligned action step write down your intention, why do you want to make this change?
Take note of what action you are going to consistently take to bring this change to life? How will you hold yourself accountable?
How will you respond if you are met with resistance? What are some ways that you can practice compassion, kindness and positive self talk along the way?
Take time to close your eyes and visualise yourself living out this action and the results that you envision receiving as a result of taking the action (more energy & nourishment) tuning into how this would look, taste, smell and most importantly FEEL in your body
We can’t wait to see you doing more of the things that you love!
