I like my routine. I like the familiar. When I get those updates on facebook that tell you what you did five years ago, to be honest not much has changed. It's just a picture of me, my husband to be and our dog, normally in bed, normally watching something on telly. I like going to the same places and seeing familiar people. I like knowing where to be and when. I am a creature of habit and always have been. My place of growth has always been in welcoming new experiences into my life. It is something I have to actively cultivate. I try my best to find new things to do as often as possible and I know enough about human happiness to know that variety really does play a major role in that. Most of the changes that happen in my life are gradual. Like everything else there are seasons to your life. Things come and go. There's ebb and flow to it all. So how can you tell the difference between honouring the routine that you have created to keep you centred on the things you love and leaving enough room to be open enough to grow and try new things? It's a balancing act that takes time to learn and definitely comes with age.
The benefit of having been on the planet a little while is learning to know the things that you are likely to like and the things that you won't. I know myself pretty well but one of the most important parts of myself that I need to remain aware of is my evolution. Ten years ago if you had told me that I would be excited about learning new languages then I would have laughed at you but these days I have found a love and a passion for learning Welsh, Greek and even bits of Japanese. I have no explanation for why I love them, I just think it's fascinating. I follow my curiosity when it comes to things like this because who knows if it might come in handy at some point? It may be the nucleus that changes my life completely further down the road or, it just might be something that's fun. Like when I learned to yodel! Yes, I yodel! Stu is currently learning to play the piano, every week he goes to his lesson and is already a better sight reader than me. Again he's not looking to scrap his career is pharmacy and become a full time musician, he's just following what interests him.
Creating room for growth doesn't always mean that we have to burn our lives to the ground in order to do it. I often meet clients who have built up any change in their lives into a towering wall of flames. You don't have to do it all, just do a little bit. Fascinated by psychology? You don't have to do a whole degree, why not find an evening class or an online class? There's always a way to find room to grow in your own time at your own pace. For me, most of what has appeared to be a “big leap” has actually just been the next logical step. I've had both huge, abrupt shifts in my life pattern and gentle ones both with the same level of impact and if I get to choose, I'd choose the gentle. I'd rather my life swell in beautiful choral evolution to a new point rather than abruptly change song. I try to ensure this by just learning to listen to what tickles my fancy. What really am I interested in enough that I am willing to give it a good chunk of time? How about you? What interest are you over looking that might be the seed of change for you? Take some time and don't forget to play with the idea!
Thank you for reading,
Big Love,
Ryan James x
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