A Return to the Tried and True

How often have you made a return to the tried and true? And why do we quit these habits in the first place?

Define Tried and True

That’s easy. We’ve done it before (Tried). Furthermore, we know it works (True).

So Why Do We Quit?

It’s really about creating habits versus the unrelenting search for something better.

If you like variety in life, like I do, it’s easy to chase after the new, shiny, 24 carat gold bangle when it drops right in front of you. There’s nothing wrong with that.  Yet, the shiny objects can live in peace next to the comfortable earrings we reach for almost everyday.

How Do We Restart?

  • Slow down.
  • Listen to your intuition.
  • Live in the moment.
  • Look for the joy.

First, we are all very different. Understanding yourself goes a long way toward being successful in your return to the tried and true. How do you start to understand your personality? One of my favorite ways is Clifton Strengths. This is not a free assessment, but well worth the price. If you are more into free, the TypeFinder Personality Test website also links to Enneagram Types.

A Real Life Example

Are you wondering why I have the photo of my bookcase? It’s how I managed to return to my tried and true method for self discovery, Morning Pages. If you look closely, you’ll see the original Artist’s Way book by Julia Cameron on the bottom shelf. Yet, that wasn’t how I started Morning Pages again. Rather, it was seeing the beautiful spine of the journal I pulled out of the many journals on the top row. Royal Botanic Garden SydneyThis journal is important to me. I bought it at the gift shop of the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney, Australia after I completed my Shoden, Reiki Level One at the International House of Reiki in the Blue Mountains.

For something seemingly unrelated, I’ve been watching Rake, an Australian series on Acorn TV, set in Sydney. It brought back beautiful Sydney memories.

Live the Width of Your Life

How much of your thoughts and actions are concerned with the length of your life? But do you think about how to live the width of your life? What do you think is stopping you from adding to your life now, in this moment.

But i’m Afraid

New ideas can be scary. However, everyone can make a micro change. Here are a few ideas to start to live the width of your life:

  • Slowly take in a deep breath, closing your eyes, letting it slowly out. Repeat.
  • Return the friendly barista’s smile at the coffee shop.
  • Feel the warmth of the sun on your face, close your eyes, and lift the corners of your mouth ever so slightly.
  • Practice pulling your shoulders back, lifting your rib cage and looking straight ahead.

Do you journal? Is meditation a part of your day? Do you practice living in the moment? These are ways you can start living life to the fullest.

How do i start to journal?

It’s simple. Just follow these steps:

  1. Wake up 30 minutes early
  2. Gather a spiral notebook and pen or pencil
  3. Set a timer for 30 minutes
  4. Start writing anything, even “I don’t know what to write”
  5. Go with the flow, writing down anything that comes to your mind
  6. Stop when the alarm goes off, or continue if you’re on a roll and have time
  7. Repeat every morning

Journaling will get the mental juices flowing, breaking up log jams, opening up your ability to live the width of your life.

Be brave. You can do it!

How will you start to live the width of your life today? I really want to know.

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Thank you,
Dawn