From “Meh” to Magnificent in Three Easy Steps

Written by: Kirsten Frey; Vision Quest

Isn’t it interesting when life presents you with exactly what you need?

Had to laugh with myself as I sat to write about how I stay passionate. The last couple of weeks have been less than stellar. Lots on my mind with no clear answers. Off my mojo. Feeling a little “crunchy” which is my word for when I feel irritated or restless. Lots of chatter in the ole monkey-brain, none of which is particularly helpful. Definitely not connected to my passionate self.

I know this feeling.

It usually signals that a change is coming or necessary, that I’m resisting something I need to do, or that I have been spending way too much time in my head, analyzing, intellectualizing. In short, I’m out of balance.

As Albert Einstein so wisely said: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Which makes sense, of course. What we focus on, expands. And that’s where the magic is…we can change what we focus on in any given moment.

So, I have huge appreciation for our topic this week. How do I shift my focus? How do I stop the momentum of negativity, worry, or doubt that occasionally attempts to lure me into overwhelm? How do I reconnect to my passionate core?

I pull out my “Tap-In” toolkit. Inside are the habits and activities that I have discovered that centre me and bring me back in touch with my authentic, awesome, passionate self! Sometimes it’s a quick fix and other times, I need all the tools in the box. Here are three tools that work for me.

First, to move! It’s time to get out of my head and turn on those feel-good chemicals that come from moving my body. As Tony Robbins, the iconic motivational speaker and life coach says, “Emotion is created by motion”

I like going to the gym. I have a background in personal training so the gym is a happy place for me. Whether I strength train, do a cardio session or combine them, I always leave feeling better than I did when I came in. Energized, clear, happier. If I can’t get to the gym I like to go for a walk or run outside. Being outside gets me away from the computer, clears my head, and allows me to focus on the beauty of nature. Especially now that we are rolling into spring. The birds are singing in the morning and the tulips are breaking free from the ground. The air is still cold but some days I can feel the warmth of the sun. Bliss!

Secondly, connect: Now that I work from home there can be stretches where I don’t see or talk to anyone for hours, maybe even a day or two, except through email, text or social media. I’m one of those people that like and need the “juiciness” of connection with others. Exchanging ideas and life stories, laughing, sharing. That’s where I thrive and flow. So when I’m not feeling it, it’s usually been a week where I haven’t had a lot of contact with people. That’s when I know it’s time for a date with a friend. Time to connect and catch up which directs my focus away from me and to the warmth, love and appreciation for the person in front of me.

Third, journaling: Over the last year and a half, I have developed journaling as a consistent practice. It gets the thoughts out of my head and onto the page, allowing me to see them as independent things. It separates who I am from what I think, bringing some much-needed space, clarity and perspective to the situation! When I feel less than passionate, the act of writing allows me to process what’s really going on in my head and heart. Usually, when I first start out, it’s very structured and feels almost a little formal, but as I keep writing a subtle shift occurs and the words begin to flow smoothly, almost effortlessly, with very little thought. It’s less from my head and more from my heart.  It feels authentic, guided even and that’s when the insights, impulses and “a-ha” moments happen. And I “know” them when I have them. And that experience always rekindles the spark of joy within me.

When I am living passionately and in the fabulous flow of life, journaling helps me keep that momentum going. Then my writing is very much about appreciation and gratitude. For all that is abundant and flowing in my life. Right now I appreciate the sun shining through my office window, the birds chirping outside, and piping hot coffee in my Minion mug. I’m grateful to be planning for my next workshop, prepping for a course I’m taking at the end of the month, a great new book to read for book club, and hugs from my hubby before he starts his day.

All of these tools: movement, connection, and journaling help me shift from “meh” to magnificent! There are more tools in my toolbox, but these three are the ones that always help me reconnect to my passionate soul.