The Power of Perspective
How I was feeling:
Life has felt heavy over the last few months, both personally and in terms of what is going on in the world at large. This heaviness has clouded my perspective and drained my energy more than I was comfortable admitting. Especially as, in my personal life, despite things feeling intense and uncertain at times, the experiences I was having are all part and parcel of the human experience, you know, financial stress, relationship challenges etc.
These are challenges that we all move through in one way or another, and it wasn't until a recent conversation with an old friend that I realized how lost in my own self-pity I had become, how I'd shut myself off from soaking in the good. So alas, I wanted to share what supported me to identify this and some actions/ questions that might help you do the same.
What supported a fresh perspective:
So a couple of weeks ago, I found myself opposite an old friend. The kind of friend I would rarely have a long phone chat with, but one with who it feels like no time has passed when we are once again in one another's company. Like many, we had over two years of updates to catch one another up on. While I would not have the same financial freedom she does, in talking her through my day-to-day, it dawned on me how many beautiful things, people, places, and opportunities I am connected to or have the privilege of being involved in.
As if reading my mind, she responded genuinely by saying: "It sounds like you have a beautiful life", and with a thoughtful pause, "are you happy?"
It was at that moment I realized deep down that I was happy and very grateful. I realized that I had let my worries take over, and my focus had been set quite firmly on what I did not have, and on the challenges at hand.
I feel lucky to have gained this perspective, quite unintentionally, from a thoughtful friend. I felt grateful for the chance to step back and look at my life from the outside, to have the space to share about all of the things, people, places and activities I am connected to that fill me up.
Now let me be clear, I think it is 100% valid to want something better for yourself, to wish to be done with the challenges or difficulty at hand. But I also think that learning to soak in the good and to shift your perspective can support you not only to move through challenges with more ease but also can give you the energy you so deeply need to create or advocate for the challenges you desire and deserve.
Practices that Support Perspective:
So, in reflecting on my own experience, and in trying to make an effort to maintain this perspective for myself too, these are some of the things I will aim to keep in mind, hopefully, some of them will feel supportive for you too:
Gratitude - Soaking in the Good
I have a blog entirely dedicated to this! But the nuts & bolts of it are that we naturally gravitate to remembering the negative, and making a conscious effort to acknowledge when things are going well or feel good can have a tremendous impact on your mood, and also your life as a whole!
I have to ____ —> I get to _____
Try switching your language up, Instead of staying I"have to" try shifting to "I get to"
This naturally fosters a sense of ease!
This IG Post says it much more thoroughly!!
Call in Support | Who and Where can I ask for support?
One of the most dominant narratives of the individualized world we are living in, is of needing to be strong and do things alone, eff that! We are meant to be in community, and while it may feel vulnerable to share at first, that bravery tends to pay off tenfold when you share with and ask for support from those you love.
Prioritize your JOY!
Because, without the things that give you energy, you will run out.
These can be as simple (frothing your milk in the am so your first coffee feels lush!) or elaborate (a getaway with some besties) as you like, but I encourage you to work on knowing that this is crucial for you, not just an extravagance that can be cut. In tough times it is helpful to double down on it, but building these habits when things are good makes that much easier!
Again, do I want some things to change, both in my personal life and in the world at large? Of course, I do. But:
1) I am refusing to wait until they do to feel joy (life's too short!!)
2) I know that prioritizing joy, shifting my perspective, and appreciating the good, will only support me to have the energy to take action to make the changes I can!
If this post has felt supportive for you, it would mean the world to me if you shared it with a friend or let me know your thoughts!
If you are craving more direct support, check out my 1 on 1 coaching opportunities or pop me an email, happy to answer any questions you might have and see if coaching is the right fit for you ♡
