Have you ever experienced that moment where you felt that your life was no longer your own? Where you realized that you were so immersed in the day-to-day routine and the “should dos” and the “must dos” and the “don’t forget to dos” that you completely forgot about your own needs and your own desires and your own purpose?
If so, you most likely looked around and felt a bit of resentment (or a lot of resentment), a bit of sadness (or a lot of sadness), and a bit of discontentment (or a lot of discontentment).
But then what?
You’ve now pulled yourself out of the fog of living your life on auto pilot, but what comes next? How do you stop the monotony and the routine that you never wanted to be a part of in the first place? How do you embrace YOU and start living a life that fills you up and makes you happy and that feels like home to you? How do you get back to living your soul’s purpose when you seem to have veered off track?
These are questions that I’ve been grappling with over the last few weeks, and I can tell you that it’s not always pleasant (at least at first) to look around and feel that you’ve gone missing in your own life. Feeling like your life continues to move forward while you’re on sabbatical is a very strange realization. And, frankly, it’s not a way that I want to feel anymore.
So I’ve started making changes. And I’ll continue making them until I feel that the life I’m living and the life I want to be living are one in the same.
It’s absolutely essential for my soul that I do this, and I invite you to do the same.
I love my life. Really, I do. I never ever take for granted that I get to make a living doing what I love. I live with my beautiful husband in a nice home with our sweet fuzzy kids. And I spend my days helping others reconnect with their soul through my writing, groups, and guidance.
And that’s amazing. All of it.
But here’s what I’m learning:
It’s only amazing when it’s in balance. And it’s only amazing when I remember why I do what I do. When I get deep down into my soul and remember my purpose and my message and the love that I want to share with others. It’s only when I remember that in order to share this love, I have to first fill myself with love in the form of rest and downtime and absolute balance.
When I remember to do this, all of the love comes flowing right back in. All of the gratitude comes rushing back into my heart. And I am filled with purpose and passion again.
So if you’re also feeling scattered and pulled in a million different directions and are wondering what’s the point of it all – I would lovingly recommend that you spend some time getting to this deep place within your soul and asking yourself the following questions:
- Why is it so important that I continue doing what I’m doing – whether it’s writing or healing or sharing, etc.?
- Why did I start doing it in the first place?
- How would I feel if I stopped doing it altogether?
- How willing am I to make changes in my life to get back to this space of love and gratitude and purpose?
- What are some changes that I can make right now to help merge my current life and my ideal life?
And then stay conscious and keep remembering why it’s important that you share your message, your heart, your soul with others. Keep coming back to remembering why you do it – why you want to do it – why you HAVE to do it.
For me, I do what I do because I can’t imagine doing anything else. I feel like the universe tapped me on the shoulder and said it was time to share my message:
To live fully, love fully, and help others do the same.
And so I leaped into this calling wholeheartedly – without reservation.
But what I’m learning is that I can share this message with others and also take care of myself at the same time. I had sort of forgotten the self-care piece of the puzzle in my passion to help as many souls as I could. And so I’m now learning that I’m the absolute happiest when my life is balanced – when I spend just as much time going within (writing, reflecting, chilling, reading, being “off”) as I do connecting with others (chatting, guiding, emailing, inspiring, being “on”).
So, for the last few weeks, I’ve spent time getting clear about what my ideal life looks like. I’ve asked myself how can I share this loving message and support lots of people while still having time to write and go within and honor my own spiritual growth.
And I found that there were several changes that I could make:
- Mindset changes: letting go of the need to want to do it all and be there for everyone at all times
- Schedule changes: taking 1-2 weeks off each month where I don’t have any calls/Skype sessions scheduled so that I can create balance and time for writing
- Administrative changes: beginning the process of hiring an assistant to help me handle the hundreds of daily emails and various tasks that are just too much for one person
And it feels so freeing to admit that I need to make changes. It feels so freeing to admit that I can’t do it all. It feels so freeing to honor my need for just as much yin as yang. And it feels freeing to admit this to all of you. To say that I am still figuring it all out, and I’m doing my best to stay conscious at each step along the way.
I really hope that you’ll also take some time to ask yourself why you do what you do – why it’s important to you. And I also hope that you’ll make whatever changes are necessary to ensure that you can continue sharing your message in a loving, balanced way.
I definitely want you to be living your purpose and sharing that with others. And I’m sure you do, too!
Please help spread the love by sharing this on Facebook and Twitter!
Hugs,
P.S. – It’s so exciting to see all of the registrations coming in for the Coming Back to Life Ecourse! There are still some notebooks/notepads left that I’m mailing to the first 20 who register! There’s something extra special about getting mail! Click here to learn more and join us!
Good for you Jodi! You’ll be twice as happy and joyful as you are now. xo
Love you, Tess! XO
Jodi, I love how you share all things and not just the glowy—make you look good stuff. This is how we learn. Truth and honesty are the best teachers, and watching you wrestle with your life and how to care for yourself, helps to show me how to take better care of myself. Thanks soul sister!
Thanks, sweet Leah!
It means so much to hear that because I really do try to walk my talk and share my true, in-progress self here.
Lots of love!
I’m glad for you that you are coming to these realizations at an early age, and one more person living fully with intention and joy will certainly help lift up the whole. I have to tell you, though, that I am sometimes frustrated to realize that I have yet to run across a “self-actualization” counselor or program who can truly speak from where so many of us “lost souls” are at. I’m 50, and, through various choices I made both willingly and not so willingly, find myself at a place in life where I am swallowed up by so much more flotsam and debris than a fabulous husband, pets and the demands of a rewarding vocation. I’m in a decades-old marriage that has lost its luster, have two teenage sons who have always had outside-the-box needs, and for some time have shared a domicile with aging parents now facing end-of-life health crises and painful choices. I can’t even remember if my soul ever had a calling other than to do what was needed and expected by those around me. I struggle for the motivation to just get through the day without being overcome by resentment and depression when faced by tasks that have nothing to do with my WANTS and everything to do with others’ NEEDS. I don’t even have a career or income source of my own anymore to draw on in seeking out opportunities. Obviously this is not your problem or issue, and I certainly don’t blame anyone but me for my life circumstances. I just wonder if any other “seekers” of joy and enlightenment share my frustration at not seeing any role models out there whose lives even come close to reflecting the challenges and balancing that face so many of us. Perhaps some of your other followers have thoughts on this?
Hi Rebecca,
I’m sorry that you’re feeling so low right now, and all I can tell you is that I have been there. No, my external circumstances weren’t exactly the same, but I know what it’s like to feel pain (just like every other human being). My life is the way it is because I have consciously created it. I was in a marriage that I wasn’t happy to be in, I have had loved ones die, I have had jobs where I felt completely miserable, and I spent almost 20 years sick and in physical pain. So I do get it. But what I realized many years ago is that I didn’t want to be in that space anymore, and I didn’t want to bond with others from this space of pain. I wanted to live – truly live. That’s actually why I created the Coming Back to Life Ecourse. Because I wanted to show that there was another choice. And it warms my heart that so many people have pulled themselves away from this negative cycle and recreated a life that they love because of it. So please know that I do understand, but I have chosen to raise my vibration and create a life that feeds my soul and my passion and my heart. I’m honestly evidence that we do have the power to make positive changes and to live differently. My intention with everything I do is to show others that there is another way. To show that I am living this way, so I know it can be done. We CAN be happy. It’s our birthright to feel joy. It’s our choice. My wish for you is for you to see that you do control your destiny, and even making one small change a day will help you see that you have the power to change your life. Sending love to you.
Jodi, please know I meant no implied criticism of you. You are a lovely young woman with the courage and wisdom to know what you want out of life. It’s just a little disheartening to realize one day that most of one’s life has passed and, while a lot of miles have been covered and a lot of searching been done, that “holy grail” of passion and purpose remain elusive. I cheer for you that you have done such a fine job of charting your own course. With love and continued success–
Hey Rebecca, just want to send you a big virtual hug! I have been there (or somewhere similar too), and it is frustrating when you are in a dark place of hating life to see all these happy clappy people. (I am one too now so I feel no guilt for saying this!) But what I’ve learnt over the years is that most of them started in a dark place, a miserable place, a place of hopelessness. They got out of it, you can too. I know, you’ve heard it before, so here’s a piece of concrete advice for you: take excellent care of yourself – body, mind, heart and soul. The more you do, the better you’ll feel, the better you feel, the easier it is to change…and it’s never too late to change your life. xxxx
Thanks, Donna, for the hug. I’m not in a completely hopeless place, thank goodness, and I choose to invite a little “happy, clappy” into my life to buoy me up. It’s just been a really rough six months watching my parents struggle physically and emotionally, having some old sibling crud rear its ugly head, and dealing with my own teenagers and their normal angst. My poor husband has almost fallen out of the frame, and I have indeed nearly lost all touch with mySELF. I know that, for whatever reasons, 2013 has been a rough one so far for a number of people. It does help to know that people care and understand, and I’m looking forward to Jodi’s course “bringing me back to life.” Thanks again for your concern and caring! See you on the other side of the hill!
Sometimes living our life’s purpose can get sooo busy…. that what I am learning is to do it all with ease and joy! THAT brings peace and gratitude right back where it needs to be!
Thanks for sharing!
Great post, Jodi. So true it always benefits us to keep remembering WHY we are doing what we do and I love that you mention everything being in balance, which I believe is another way of saying we “walk our talk”, especially those of us teaching others about self-care, empowerment, life purpose, etc. If WE aren’t applying that stuff in our own life then we’ll never be as effective as we could be for our clients and readers and everyone we serve. A really important thing for all of us “light workers” to remember. 😉 Thank you for reminding me, I’m taking it to heart. <3 xoxo
Fabulous post Jodi – the question about stopping just about broke my heart! I’ve bookmarked this for days when I need a little booster! xxx
Super post Jodi. I am lucky in that I have constant reminders as to why I do what I do. I do know tons of friends who don’t get to see those results so consistently and they seem to suffer for it. Again, great post and I plan to share it with them to hopefully give them a new perspective on an old hurt!
I make changes as well. It’s frustrating to be in that place. Even more so when you can’t change the one thing that needs changing.
Hi Jodi,
I’ve had some huge changes happening over the past week and a bit, but before that I was stuck in the biggest rut even though I was making a determined effort to get out of it. I’m pretty sure thats why the changes came about, which are an absolute blessing.
I’m absolutely thrilled to hear of the changes you’re making in your approach and making time for the stuff that really matters.
With love
Shân
Hi Jodi,
Thank you for expressing yourself so openly and allowing us to see your doubts. I know the benefit people can gain from seeing that we all have experiences of confusion or pain, and I think it helps us to grow to admit them in a public space. We grow as people and as professionals, and it opens up a safe space for others to also express their vulnerability, which is priceless.
You are absolutely right. It is crucial to know why you do what you do and then to re-evaluate that why on a regular basis.
Thank you for sharing from the heart Jodi! You have really gone in-depth here in a way that can help us do the soul searching that is part of the path of heart-based entrepreneurs!
Dear Jodi,
Thank you so much for this brave, focused thoughts on your fantastic article..You are a open-hearted soul expressing so honestly and lovingly..
I need to make a big change that not resolved for quite a long time..Thank you so much for showing the way to make it happen!!!!