By Kathy Steffen
We have been living a different sort of life for over a year. As we shift into our brave, new world, anxiety for the year (and life) we lost haunts us. There is anxiety about what the future holds. As you rebuild your “new” life, make room for what is important. So how to accomplish that goal? Take time to listen to your inner voice. Not that nagging fear and doubt voice, the one that chants I-have-to-do-this-and-that or I-don’t-have-enough-time voice. The voice you need to allow to surface is the one that is deep inside. Your knowing. Your gut. Your heart. Your soul. Your insight. Your inner guidance system that is so easy to ignore as life and tasks take control. This is the perfect time to listen!
In order to hear this voice, create space for it to come through. There is no better place for your inner voice than the page. When you write (actually engage with a pen and paper), you slow your “gerbil-wheel” mind and quiet your “gotta-do-this” voice. The link between brain, hand and what is deep inside forge a connection when you write. You listen to yourself and build clarity for your life. And the added bonus: You’ll have a record of your contemplations and can go deeper where you feel it’s necessary. So take some time to contemplate (and if you are a planner — plan) your life. Dig deep and you’ll be grateful you listened to yourself! Here are some prompts to get you started:
Visualize your ideal life. How do you feel when you wake up? What does your ideal day look like? What do you want to be doing? Why are you happy? Make a list of what you would spend more time doing. Now make a list of what is holding you back. How can you make time for what you want to do? What can you do to improve your physical health? Your mental health and attitude? What are some steps to begin the journey to your ideal life?
What do you feel is missing from your life? How can you bring what you want/need into your life? What habits do you want to develop and do on a consistent basis? What habits do you want to change? What steps do you need to take to get rid of them? What do you struggle with? List five things you’d like to change about yourself.
Do you worry about how others see you? Why? Is this more important to you than how you feel about yourself? Do you compare yourself to others? Why? Do you accept yourself for who you are? Why or why not? What are you insecure about? What can you do to improve yourself? Make a list of limiting beliefs that keep you from realizing your true potential. Make a list of what is most important to you.
What do you like about yourself? What are you good at? What makes you unique? What can you do most other people can’t? List your five best traits. List five things you can do to improve your life. What inspires you? Do you feel you are successful? Why or why not? Create a bucket list.
Listen to your inner voice and with pen in hand, create your better life.
Kathy Steffen is an award-winning novelist and author of the “Spirit of the River Series:” “First, There Is a River,” “Jasper Mountain” and “Theater of Illusion.” She writes, creates art, and gardens from her home in Spring Green that she shares with her husband and kitties.