Now we’re not talking about driving a coastal highway in California in a convertible, because that is cool.
No, I’m saying that
Cruisin’ through life ain’t cool.
Warning: I’m about to do a bit of “disturbing of the poo”, so if you want to stay settled in a comfortable life you may not want to read ahead and ponder the upcoming onslaught of questions……
You’re still with me???? You’re awesome!!!! You are my kind of person. I like to check in with myself and what I’m doing and why I’m doing it on a regular basis.
In fairness I only started doing this a few years ago. The lead up to turning 40 unwittingly brought out some big questions for me.
What am I doing? Do I want to be living this exact life for the next 20 years?
Life was good. But I was suddenly aware that life could be so much better. And you can’t push that thought back in the box. Believe me, I tried, it just won’t go.
It has kind of become the devil on my shoulder, tempting me with future goodness.
Problem is, I have an angel on the other shoulder trying to keep me comfortable and safe.
Firstly I think we need to rename “the devil” because it’s not at all devilish. It is in fact an amazing vision of my future self. And “the angel” is actually my present self which comes with an overactive self protect mechanism and an unhealthy dose of self doubt.
When you let your future self out of the box there is no more comfort in “cruising” because they are with you, on your shoulder, nudging you awake.
If your future self is already awake then you are already feeling the weight on your shoulders that your future self is causing.
And if you haven’t experienced that yet, ponder some of these questions:
It’s 10 years from now – 2027, you are _____ years old. Your
family life
social life
work life
home life
spiritual life
health
wealth
are all the same as it is today. How do you feel about that?
What are you not doing that you wish you were doing?
Think of 5 people in your life. How do you want to be remembered by them? Would that be true if you left them today?
Why do you live where you do? That place? That neighbourhood? That city / country?
What interests you? (think of pictures that catch your eye, conversations that get your attention, magazines you like to look through). How much time do you give to actively participating in what interests you?
Even consider what you wear. Is it you? Are you expressing yourself? Or are you dressing to avoid attention?
There’s so much to consider. We could get into morning routines, career choices, relationships, but you get the point.
A tiny change that will bring you out of cruise control can have a huge impact on your life.
Now, I realize I haven’t told you what to do with that future self that keeps giving you head jabs of awareness but no help in the what to do department. And I will. But first things first, we want to make sure that everyone is well and truly awake first.
So spend the week being present with yourself. Aware of your routines and habits and actions. Aware of how you feel. And no numbing allowed!!!! Stick with uncomfortable feelings – DO NOT pick up a gadget / phone to take away those difficult moments.
Next week I’ll be back with a plan for you to try and if you are already a subscriber you will get a printable in your inbox. So sign up now so you don’t miss it.
So, now go do some of your own poo disturbing. You’re worth it.
Hugs, Vic x