It's Monday. The start of a new week. For some of us it's an opportunity to live even better than last week. Another chance to start afresh.
For some of us, it's the "Monday Blues". We are uninspired and depressed and are not so patiently waiting for the weekend.
Again.
Whatever bracket you fit into, I'm not here to judge. I understand both views because I could be in either one of them at any given Monday.
I do try to stay in the motivated bracket. The "thankful for a new day" mindset and "let's get motivated" spirit.
I'm inclined to stay in the positive, grateful, and motivated mindset as often as possible. That is my desired lifestyle.
So what is it that pulls me away from that inspired mindset and puts me in a uninspired mood?
Last year I discovered the book "Present Over Perfect" by Shauna Niequist on Audible. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. I listened to it while cooking, driving, at my daughter's cross country meets, while exercising...basically every chance I had.
I was tuned in.
Shauna, in her soothing voice I may add, talks about her experience on aching for a new way of living. More Intentional. More connected. Paying attention to the moments happening in front of her and cherishing them for what they are.
What stood out to me was the word Sea Change. This was my first time hearing it. It's often used to express a change, an alteration, or a transformation in one's way of living.
I desperately wanted to take on the Sea Change challenge. I was tired of wearing masks just to make it through certain days. I was exhausted of showing up for the sake of showing up. I was running my spirit down for the sake of efficiency and not really responding emotionally to the real moments happening around me. I was missing my authentic self and I needed her back. To get to that Sea Change transformation, one intentional question was asked by the author -
What is your burn it down story?
What do you need to burn down to make space for a new way of living?
I usually take notes when I read to help me retain the "aha moments". Recently I was going through my notes from "Present Over Perfect" and the words hit me square in the face -
"Cheli, what do you need to burn down to make space for a new way of living"?
Well, it got me thinking and I needed to act on it. I shared the same question with my small group. Though I was hoping to hear their own responses, they were actually forcing me to face my challenges and explore my burn it down story a lot deeper than I wanted to.
Thanks ladies...lol!
So yes, I had a series of conversations with myself, my small group, and my sister and dug deeper to find the things that needed to change for my inspired life to begin.
These are the things I identified -
Procrastination
I think you could find a picture of me next to the word "procrastination" in the dictionary if it were possible. I am notorious for waiting until the eleventh hour to address or act on a situation. What causes me to intentionally procrastinate? (because yes, I'm very aware when I'm doing it..)
Fear
Anxiety driven, decision making crippling fear. Also, laziness and a tad lack of discipline.
So though procrastination is the grandmother issue; fear, anxiety, self doubt and poor self discipline are the bad ass grand babies that give procrastination life. They are the roots. So what do I make room for once I kick out procrastination and her grand babies?
Faith
My faith in myself needs to grow stronger for self doubt to no longer exist. Once self doubt becomes a non factor, then fear and anxiety will follow procrastination right out the door. I had no idea that my procrastinating nature had so many roots that were giving it life. It's time to do the work and starting pulling out those roots. I'll start with blog posting on time for a change (don't judge me).
Forecasting
I am one of those "special people" that has to over analyze, forecast, and breakdown every bloody act to the point of mental exhaustion which leads to non-action. Constantly trying to figure out how things are going to turn out before even starting has been the cause of avoidable stress in my life. It has also been the cause of a lot of projects and errands never getting started or finished.
I have this need to dissect and dissect again, every scenario. Coming up with theories and possibilities, both good and bad, that could arise from it.
My daughter recently said to me while I was in the middle of another forecasting frenzy - "...Or you could just start and whatever happens, happens". I looked at her in shock.
"How dare you be so intentional about decision making"!
She gave me this look like "did you just hear yourself lady"? She was right. I should be more intentional about my actions.
By being intentional I'm more in the moment. Not worrying about what the next day will bring or what will happen in the next 5 hours. In this very moment I am alive. In this very moment I am carrying out intentional actions. I should be very present in them. Great moments are manifesting around me every second. Like the sun rising and setting. I need to be more aware. Things don't always have to be perfect. What is important is that I was present and my intentions were followed with action. Intentions without action is useless.
Well, this has been a great self therapy session for me. I'm looking forward to searching deeper to define more roadblocks that I need to burn down as I pursue a more intentional way of living.
So, what is standing in your way of living your inspired life?
What is your burn down story and what are you willing to do to make that Sea Change?
I'm looking forward to hearing your stories in the comments so please, share!
Happy Monday! Live Well!