Disrupting Patterns

In other news, I’ve been working with a Client recently who is feeling ‘stuck’ and describes herself as ‘living on automatic’.  She is not in any real distress, but feels like she is simply ‘going through the motions’ – and it made me wonder, how many of you reading this are doing the same right now?

Are you at a point in your life where you feel ‘stuck’, bored of the same old/same old, and tired of your routine?

Are you living on automatic pilot too?
Have you adopted a series of routines and patterns that keep you safe?
Safe, but lacking creativity, or fun?

It’s fine to have a life of order, and many of us seek out this kind of security.  It’s comforting to live according to a pattern, but the truth is, everything in our world is constantly changing.  A flower grows from a seed, and later, the petals fall from the stem.  This is the natural order of life; nothing stays the same.

Disrupting your patterns will help you to shake things up and avoid becoming ‘stagnant’.

Maybe your desire for routine is working against you, preventing you from feeling ALIVE.  You may be missing out on opportunities, heartfelt moments, memorable experiences and special connections.  And where is the opportunity for spontaneity and joy when you are so locked into a specific pattern/routine?

If you are feeling comfortable but also a bit dull, if you are missing the vibrancy of life, then it’s time to rekindle your curiosity and open yourself up to try something new.

And it doesn’t have to be anything too daunting.
Simple things to break up the pattern.  That’s all it takes.

• After being in the office for hours with meetings, e-mails and looming deadlines, it is imperative that you get up and get out for a bit; why not go for a walk in your lunch hour? Head to the local park and notice how the leaves are changing on the trees.  Or if you prefer, head to the most expensive street in the area and admire the beautiful homes.

  You can return to your emails and your deadlines afterwards, but you will notice a shift in your mind, body, and your energy by getting away from the desk for as little as half an hour.

• When you notice that you are feeling stressed, why not take 5 minutes to play some uplifting music or listen to a calming meditation, instead of reaching for a chocolate bar.

• If you are eating the same, easy, boring dinner several nights in a row, experiment with a new recipe.  Or try out a new restaurant.

• Visit a bookstore, browse in a genre you wouldn’t normally be drawn to, and buy something that catches your eye.

• Take a different route home (if you are still travelling to the office), shop in a new supermarket where you are not so familiar with the layout – you might just discover new products whilst searching for your ‘usual purchase’ items.

• If navy or black are your ‘go to’ colours, try something new.
  How about orange?  Pink?  Yellow?

• Maybe it’s time for a spot of redecorating at home?
  Leave behind the neutral colours and add some drama by creating an accent wall

A few simple changes will give you a new way to look at things, starting with the obvious – your home, your work and yourself.

Sometimes, when I am working at my desk, I can feel uninspired.  Even here in my new home. And unless I do something to shake off this feeling, I know that the day will be far from productive.

Best thing I can do when I feel this way is either to pack up my laptop and head out somewhere – even if it’s only to the coffee shop. Or better still, take my notebook and my pen, get into the car and drive somewhere I’ve never been.  Somewhere beautiful that will inspire me!  Like last week, when I drove to Culzean castle.  Wow!  Wow!  Wow!  I felt so inspired by the beauty of my surroundings and this instantly shifted my energy so that I returned to my office feeling refreshed and inspired.

When do you feel most creative?

Ask yourself?  When was the one moment in time when I felt most ALIVE?
Now notice the question – I’m not asking when you felt happiest, but when did you feel most ALIVE?

WHAT was it about the experience that made you feel so alive?

What could you do today that would allow you to experience more of that feeling?

Make a list of little things that can enrich and shift the monotony of your day and bring something new and bright into it.  Then start by doing those little things.

You are not a stagnant being, you are meant to continually evolve & grow.  For if you are not growing, you are dying – right?

Relish in your aliveness.  Nurture your creativity.

x Until next time, sending you love x

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