Can you feel it? Change is happening all around us. Massive shifts are occurring all over the world, as many of us yearn to return to the way things were, but hold on, what if we have an opportunity to use this pause and see what things are actually worth returning to.

Things are so uncomfortable right now for so many because we are all going through a massive change, and all change is growth, consider this the growing pains as we sit in transition. Change ultimately means growth, and some of the most profound growth moments are in reinvention. Each time a major shift happens in the world and in our lives—leaving a job or a relationship, disease, losing a loved one—we have a chance to re-center ourselves.

All change is growth. We can use this time to realign with who we truly want to be.

It is interesting that the entire world is going through the same experience right now. Massive changes are occurring every day on a global scale, and yes it can feel uncomfortable, but that’s what change does. It forces us to grow out of what we are used to, to push past our comfort levels into the unknown. What if these changes happening out in the world are a reflection of changes that need to occur within our own lives?

Can you feel the invisible tap on the shoulder? As if to say there is a better way . . . You are made for more than what you’ve previously settled for.

What if we used this time as an invitation to realign, refocus and reinvent ourselves? Up until this point, many of us looked out into the world to tell us who we should be. We felt shame and guilt if we didn’t fit into the tight mold, but we aren’t born to fit in. The part of us that feels depressed, sad, lost and alone is the part that yearns to be seen, experienced and appreciated in the world. And the only way to get our deepest needs met is to be more of who we really are, and at times this requires a transformation from within—a reinvention.

By giving ourselves permission to be more of who we really are, we reverse the need for outside approval. We no longer chase things to fill the void, for we are full up on our own self-love. We can be better than before, as a collective group, and as individuals, a society, and the world, we can use this time to decide what truly was working and what was not. These steps can help you realign with yourself at any stage and age.

Step 1: Identify what is calling to you

Perhaps you are being called to release old addictions or patterns so you can create a new healthier foundation for your life. Maybe you want to change careers, move locations or start a new creative project. Reinventing yourself does not have to be a big ordeal but simply an allowing of alignment with more of your true self. Where are you being called? It could be in the form of a whisper, a gut feeling, a recurring dream or an idea that has been with you for years. We all have dreams tucked away. Ask yourself what kind of life you really want to live? Who do you want to be?

Step 2: Release what no longer works

I saw a quote going around social media the other day that said, “We can’t go back to normal because normal wasn’t working.” Chances are there is an aspect of your life that was not working as well as you needed. Instead of holding on to old aspects of your life that are no longer working, give yourself full permission to change, evolve, grow and bloom into the person you truly want to be in this world. Get honest with yourself about your old “normal.” Identify the areas of your life that felt blocked, difficult or frustrating. Get very clear about what no longer feels good and is not truly in alignment with who you want to be and release it. Give yourself permission to release these patterns by rewriting your story.

Step 3: Rewrite your story by reclaiming your true self

We all have stories we tell ourselves, like I will be happy when I lose the weight, or get out of debt, my job sucks but it pays the bills, etc. These stories have kept us in a box, keeping us just outside our potential. In this time of awakening, the illusion has been seen, the walls have shattered, and now we are left with ourselves. Where do you go when there is nowhere left but to go within, how is this time being used? Are you just getting by and trying to survive and make it through another mindless day, or do you want to reevaluate and refocus your life into a new direction, one that feels better than you ever thought possible?

In my book Joy Seeker, I share how we can move past our own limitations by rewriting our story. What do you tell the world about you? What is your story? Notice the limiting beliefs you cling to, and be willing to look past their false security. Often this requires a radical self-assessment and self-forgiveness is needed. Can you forgive yourself for not being who you thought you should be, and accept what is? Take responsibility for your life, and instead of focusing on what is, focus on what you want to be. What kind of person do you want to be? Who are you really?

What if we used this time to take inventory of your life. It might be immersing yourself in your favorite hobby once again, prioritizing self-care and love, ditching the draining work hours, playing more with your furry friends or being present with your gorgeous children, setting boundaries, cutting toxic people out of your life and not saying yes when you actually mean no. The self-aware, new version of you only does what truly feels in alignment with you at your core.

Step 4: Commit to being better than before

It is up to each one of us to get honest with ourselves and really look at all areas of our life to determine what is and isn’t working. Chances are there is an aspect of your life that wasn’t working as well as you had hoped. Maybe expectations were not met, perhaps a self-sabotaging habit has gotten the best of you, or maybe you feel off track or behind. Now is the optimal time for us to really understand on a deeper level who we are and what we stand for. You can be better than you were before. Right now, we are rebooting. This pause can guide us to realignment.

We have all been given the gift of time; things have slowed down; What of the Universe is asking us to go on an inner journey. As we dive into our inner world, we can create the outer world with more intention, function and love.

Step 5: Ask yourself key questions

I’ve put together a list of questions to help you through this transition. If you want to reconnect with your true self and use this time to grow into a more aligned version of you, pull out your journal and answer them. Feel free to journal, meditate or simply think on these. These questions have helped me step into a more grounded, motivated and purpose-driven focus. I hope they do the same for you. Journal Questions to Help You Align with Your True Self

1. What is no longer working as well as it used to?
2. What am I holding on to that is ready to be released?
3. What is falling away?
4. What is calling to you?
5. What newness is emerging?
6. What matters most to you?
7. What do you stand for?
8. What is good in your life? List what you love and what is going well.
9. What is the highlight of each day?
10. What new habit, skill, perceptive to you want to cultivate and carry forward?
11. What do you look forward to?
12. Who do you want to be?
13. What can you create more of each day?
14. Do you want to go back to the way you were living, or is it time to reinvent an aspect yourself?

Start by eliminating your intake of outside information, consider limiting social media, turn off the news, so you can detach from drama and carving out a life that feels good. Continue to focus on what you want and need to live a good life. What was has no bearing on what will be. Release the past and watch how you can actively participate in the creation of your ideal life. This time we have is a gift. My wish is that you can use it to help support your growth.

Although this time may feel challenging, consider it a pruning of all that is needing to be tended to. Systems in the world and in your own life that were not working, processed, automatic habits that were broken can now be addressed.

Sometimes the solution to correct yourself is to stop and balance yourself. We can do that in this great time of pause. Now is the opportunity to eliminate what does not work and we will be fresh for it. We will be stronger for this, smarter, healthier and happier.

I’d love to hear in the comments what is falling away for you, and what you are looking forward to creating in its place?

#HowTo #Reinvent #Realign #Reconnect #TrueSelf