Examining Routines When Stuck
Have you ever been stuck in an area of your life that used to work for you, but now doesn’t?
This was me. For the last several months, I have been trying to figure out why my energy level was low, and why I wasn’t feeling my best. Any time this happens, I know I may not be taking care of myself emotionally and/or physically.
After checking with my doctor and hearing all looked well, I knew it was time to look at my mental wellness. For an excellent read on the science behind emotional issues affecting your physical body, I recommend the book The Body Keeps The Score.
While doing this analysis, there were two major things I discovered that I used to have a routine for, but stopped doing more than a year ago.
The first - forcing my grief. I am a recovering non-crier. For most of my life I was proud of the fact that I never cried. Then, because this wasn’t serving me well, I created a routine to force my grief. This routine would bring all things that were bothering me (even those I wasn’t aware of!) to come to the surface and I would cry. It is so relieving and healing.
The second routine that had changed is because of working at home. Lately, my exercise routine has changed. Now I wake up, work at my desk, then work out, then get back to work. I couldn’t figure out why my workouts weren’t energizing me, and why I couldn’t work out for as long as I used to. I figured it was just my age.
Earlier this week it all changed. I examined my routines from times that I was emotionally feeling my best. You guessed it, once I discovered these missing things, I forced my grief and I started to run at 6 am again when it is quiet, the sun is coming up and I haven’t started my to-do list.
So, I ask you:
Where are you stuck in your life now?
Was there a time that this wasn’t a sticking point for you? What has changed?
What routines that specifically worked for you in the past can you bring back to create positive change now?
Where do you need to establish new routines?
As humans, we are all on a seesaw of life (read more about that blog here). A life filled with purpose and intention can bring us more ups than downs. Getting unstuck by examining and resetting routines is one key to this.
How do I feel this week? Amazing, back on track, and cultivating what counts.