When someone else’s “rule book” is guiding my decisions, I suffer. When I am living by outdated rules I have created for myself, I suffer. If there are “shoulds” in my “rule book,” I suffer.
Reevaluating and letting go of the life “rules” that we play by can set us free. Rules that we have created to keep us safe and in control are the very ones holding us back from living an authentic, resilient, and gratitude-filled life.
Life transitions (back to school, divorce, new job, just about any life situation that changes our routine), are the perfect time to reassess our personal “rule book.” Look at the routines and habits that we have established in our life, some consciously and some unconsciously, do they apply any more? Many rules we play by no longer support us and even hold us back.
Examples of rules that we have set up for our daily life might include:
– What we eat ~ nourish ourselves (or deny)
– How we dress
– Meditate (or not) ~ type of meditation we think we “should” be doing
– How we give (or hold back)
– Who we are in a relationship with, etc.
Let your inner wisdom or intuition be your guide, helping you to create a new rule book (until this one becomes outdated). You know yourself better than anyone – just listen. For example:
- Throw out the rules for how you eat, instead, listening to when you feel full and hungry… what types of food would nourish you?
- Listen to the wisdom of your body, feeling when anxiety arises and asking what is needed to support yourself rather than charging onward.
- Rather than forcing yourself into a stillness meditation practice you begin a walking meditation or knitting meditation practice.
How to start rewriting the rule book:
- Pick one area in your life where you feel the rules are outdated
- Notice all the subtle “rules” you have created for yourself around this area of life. Which ones are beneficial and supportive? Which ones limit you?
- In a perfect world… how would you navigate this area of your life? Think big without limitations. Save this list to come back to
- Pick one idea off this list and start applying it. Make no other changes, add this into your life routine.
Life continually calls us into new ways of being in the world…more authentic, loving, and being compassionate to ourselves, others, and the earth. If you need support in letting go of the old “rule book” or help creating practices that lead to a more authentic, resilient, and vibrant life, please reach out, I’d love to support you.
