I was sleeping through life until I finally awoke. For most of my days, I was unconsciously going through the motions. I didn’t really know what small things give me energy and what didn’t. And I wasn’t aware that my normal, my comfort zone, was actually becoming a golden cage, seemingly comfortable but ultimately energy-draining.
Sometimes your comfort zone can be the most dangerous place for you to be.
I realised… that I was holding myself back for all these years by holding on to old dreams, repeating energy-draining behaviours, and keeping myself small (unconsciously). I didn’t realise that every time, I said no to a social event, going salsa dancing, visiting an art show on my own, acting out of fear instead of curiosity, I was slowly adding another bar to my golden cage, called my current comfort zone.
Awakening to enjoy ordinary life
That’s why I decided to take a break for a while. Instead of continuing with the old, moving forward without considering if I was still going toward something that gives me energy, I have been enjoying the smallest moments. To me, this means really enjoying the rays of sunshine that come through my window, smelling the flowers when on a walk, going on morning runs (sometimes, when I feel like it), sitting in a small café enjoying a choco latte, doing some yoga, joining a hike to welcome the coming autumn.
What it’s all about is giving myself some breathing room to discover what I might harvest in this time … slowly awakening to the beauty of life.
What small things give you energy?
Here are some tips that help me:
- enjoying my new morning routine.
- reading new books that fill me with inspiration.
- writing my heart out.
- letting go of old goals that aren’t of service to me anymore.
- visiting art shows, cafés, etc.
- going for long walks in Rotterdam (trying out some forest bathing).
- I’m painting again!
I’m doing the things that give me energy and say NO to the things that don’t.
I’m calling it “My Year of YES!“
And slowly I find more things that give me energy.
Instead of blindly moving forward, doing what I always did, I’m taking a breather to find out what still suits me and what doesn’t. So that my actions have the desired effect, namely getting me to feel a certain way, energized.
What simple daily things light you up and which drain you of your energy?
Adventure awaits!
Love,
Susanna