It happens to the best of us, the us that works hard and plays hard, the us that checks all the boxes that we were taught to — a good education so you can get a good job so you can get nice car and a nice house, so you can raise your family and live happily ever after.
It’s not like we have a bad life, it’s just that when push comes to shove, it doesn’t feel like the life we’re meant to live. Maybe we start feeling anxious, alone, or that we can’t make decisions or problem solve like we used to, or that maybe we’re not as social.
We start feeling things that are happening and ultimately signalling you into the fact that you are ready for a change, maybe even a huge, scary, life-altering change.
You are not alone, trust me. I know because I’ve been there. I’ve put together a list of 10 signals below, some of which I felt and which ultimately led me to change my whole life. I’m not saying that change has to be drastic because every one of us is different, but I am saying that it’s possible.
After all, Audrey Hepburn did say: Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!
So here goes… and I’m sure there are others, but this is a good start.
Signal 1: You’re in a life transition already
This one is sort of a given. If you’re transitioning in your career or job, relationships, finances or family life, you don’t really have a choice but to change. That’s ok! You’re ok!
Let’s think about this one — you may be feeling really nervous or excited, you will definitely be out of your comfort zone, and it might even be a totally new environment, working with different people.
Change is what helps us grow and learn about ourselves, and it’s our attitude and response to change that determines how smooth the ride will be.
You know what they say, change is the only constant. It’s up to you to decide whether to embrace the change and get out there or be afraid of the change and hide.
Signal 2: You feel stuck in a routine that makes life sound like this…
Just got home from work. Made dinner. Watched TV. Went to bed. Woke up. Got dressed. Went to work. Worked. Ate lunch. Drank some coffee. Worked some more. Got home. Made dinner. Watched TV. Brushed my teeth. Went to bed. Woke up. Got dressed. Went to work. Worked. Ate lunch. Drank some coffee Worked some more. Got home. Made dinner. Watched TV. Brushed my teeth. Went to bed. Woke up. Rinse and Repeat.
That was as painful to write as I’m sure it was painful to read. Hopefully you’re still with me. And Parents — I can imagine that this would look very different for you, or maybe not, I’m not sure because I’m not a mama yet, but I am an auntie ?.
In any case: Routine is definitely a signal that you need or are ready for a change. You can rewrite the story about your relationship, your career, your mindset… at the end of the day, it sounds lifeless. Like I’m in the movie ‘Groundhog Day’.
Switch it up, take a different way to work. Go out after work. Go for a run in the morning. Get your hair done and feel fabulous. Buy some new outfits and give away some outfits to goodwill or a local college. Make a list of what you do that makes you FEEL AWESOME! And GO DO IT! Event if it’s the last thing on earth you want to do. Trust me 🙂
Signal 3: You feel you’re on the edge of something, like if you don’t do something now, it’s never going to happen
This one I’ll try to explain, but it’s almost like you have to live it to feel it. It’s this feeling inside that is anxious, uneasy, nervous, excited, unsettled, unfulfilled, tired, I know, it’s a lot of feeling, but it’s like this feeling like if you don’t do it now, you’ll look back one day and always wonder, or worse yet, regret it.
Suggestion: Start a Journal. Do a Vision Board — dream big with intention and see what happens. It’s so rare that we take the time to dream, to explore the possibilities as if we could do anything, be anyone (i.e. our true self), and have anything.
But when we do, magic tends to happen. Ever heard of The Secret? Law of Attraction… There’s only one of you, so jump in, all in, and go for it.
Signal 4: You can’t commit, have little to no energy or zest for life
It’s about the 5th day of the 5th week this year that you said you were going to start exercising tomorrow. Only tomorrow came and went, and every day you feel like the next will be different, only it isn’t.
You break plans with yourself, with your friends, you feel like watching TV or laying on the couch all day, or maybe you just don’t have the energy to get out of bed or shower some days.
If you’re feeling any of these things, you want and may be even needing to change — start a new hobby, do what you can to not break plans just because. It feels like the worst idea at the time, but it’s baby steps towards changing how you think, because our thoughts drive our feelings. True story.
Today. Right now. There’s no better time because you can feel it in your bones! Right now, I am taking a chance, I’m making a choice to make a change because <insert WHY here>.
Signal 5: You’re feeling anxious, maybe depressed, or stressed out
There is something in our thoughts that is causing us to feel this way. Often times, we don’t listen what our feelings are trying to tell us. Negative thoughts or feelings are a signal that you need a change.
Maybe you’ve started to think ‘why am I feeling this way’, which is a great start — this is the awareness step (step 1). Reach out to a friend, your family doctor or even a Wellness or Life Coach to help you go deeper and understand the root of your feelings.
Journalling is also a great way to get your thoughts out – you may surprise yourself in a good way.
Signal 6: Your dreams are bigger than what you’re living
This is like that feeling of knowing you’re destined for great things but as you look around, again, it’s not necessarily that your life is bad, it’s just that it, well, it doesn’t feel right. Like your soul is calling out to you to be, do and have more.
What’s holding you back? Is it the fear of change, or the unknown? Is it money? Is it the people around you (this is a tough one)? Is it self-doubt?
Whatever the reason, whatever the story your mind is trying to distract you with, know that you have all the answers and power within you to BE who you are, to DO and HAVE more of what you want.
Signal 7: The universe — everything just works out
Ok, this may sound a little out there for some of you, but you know when everything just goes right for you? Or something happens, or doesn’t happen, and you get that ah-ha moment or that ‘man, everything is coming up <insert your name here>’, like it’s meant to be?
That’s where I’m going here. Like every decision or outcome is leading you towards this ‘path’, and it feels gooooooooooood. In fact, you’ve never felt so alive.
That’s what I’m talking about. Ok, maybe there’s a little luck there too, but come on!
Signal 8: You’ve picked up a bad habit
Started smoking or smoking more? Drinking more than you used to? Sneaking in food or drinks so no one knows?
Some bad habits can lead to addiction because they help us feel better, they become our best friend, someone who is always there, ready to celebrate and commiserate with. But the truth is, that feeling is almost always short-lived and causes more harm than good.
Listen to what your feelings and thoughts are telling you, really dig deep to think about the root cause — don’t shrug it off with ‘I dunno’.
You are in charge of your thoughts and feelings, don’t forget that. All you need to do is be aware, listen, and make it happen.
Signal 9: You’re living in the past or the future
‘Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but TODAY IS A GIFT, that is why it is called the present’ ~Master Oogway
Sometimes we live in the past because it’s familiar, we know what happened.
Sometimes we live in the future because it hasn’t happened yet. Sometimes it’s hard to live in the present because it’s uncertain.
Don’t get me wrong, I love to reminisce and it’s important to think about the future when it comes to retirement planning, business planning, live visions…
It’s when we’re always thinking about the past, wondering what if I did this or that differently, or taking ourselves back in time to a moment when we felt better, that you may start to feel depressed.
It’s when we’re always in the future ‘planning’, that we forget that it’s the actions, choices, and decisions we make TODAY that shape us and our make our future goals or dreams a reality.
So many people want to get to the goal, but don’t enjoy the process or the work to get there.
Enjoy the process, embrace the uncertainty, be present — do something today that your future self will thank you for.
Signal 10: You’re reading this
You know in your heart of hearts that you want a change, that you need a change, that you’re ready for change. You can feel it in every bone of your body. Listen to your body, listen to your heart, start journaling, start meditating, just start… baby steps.
What’s the worst that could happen? You fail? You make a mistake? That’s what life is all about, and it’s been that way since you were born. Remember all those times you fell down when you were taking those first steps?
Me neither, but if you ask a family member, I’m sure they’ll confirm 😉
Remember you are not alone, there are people who love you, that support you, that you may not have even met yet. And as Jack Canfield says: Don’t worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try.
Failure is not fatal – Make it happen!
I’ll end this post with this great video – #failearly #failoften #failforward: Will Smith on failure
2 responses
So many of these resonate with me- exactly like you said at the beginning: life isn’t bad at all, but it still feels like there could be more. Thank you for creating this and sharing it with the world.
I’m so glad to hear, and thanks so much for sharing your comments Mikey 🙂