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Life Architecture
Spring into Summer
Spring is a time we see life thriving instead of just surviving – a time for cleaning out closets, replanting gardens and shedding clothing for summer. As we spring into summer it’s the perfect time for eliminating stressors and shedding old habits and barriers that keep us just surviving. Make room for new supports and try on the new strategies to thrive in life! I recommend 3-Steps to Spring into Summer so you thrive in ‘05.
Step 1: Strive to Thrive Visioning Exercise
The first step is seeing your thriving life. Consider from now until the end of this year. Envision how your daily life, wellness and relationships would look in that six months if you were thriving in life? Are you leaving the office in time to swim with your kids? Do you close the big deal in record time at work? Are you taking that yoga class you keep putting off? Is that vacation to go to Couples Resorts booked? Do you see yourself taking dance lessons with your significant other? Write, draw or collage what this thriving life looks like. Be as specific as possible. Explore each aspect of your life and what it would be like if you thrived in each area.
Step 2: Out with the Old
The second step involves taking stock of what’s working and what’s not in your life, just like you do when cleaning out the closet, playroom, office or garage. Create one list of what’s working and one list of what’s not working to allow you thriving in life. List people, features in your environment and behaviors you use that help or hinder you. Your list of what’s working may include: taking turns making dinner each night, your new electronic organizational gadget; or your membership to the gym. Your list of what’s not working may include: not sleeping well, phone interruptions at work all day, or boredom with a workout routine. Now you can see the aspects of your life you can keep and it’s out with the old stuff that holds you back!
Step 3: In with the New
The third step is to bring in the new; new strategies, new supports, new ways of thinking and behaving that support your life of thriving. Make a final list of what you plan to do differently. This list might include: purchasing a yoga mat for that class you’re finally going to; using that new healthy cookbook you received during the holidays, changing jobs or hiring a specialist to help you achieve your goals. To really make this step work, throw out that list of what’s not working, post this “In with the New List” where you can see it and start entering tasks to do in your planner to build new habits.
Once you start living your thriving life you’re guaranteed to feel invigorated and alive, much like you do when you wear that new summer-shade lipstick or step into that ocean in Jamaica!
For more information on incorporating these or other healthy pleasures into your busy lives, contact me through www.atlaslifedesign.com.
Be well until next time …
Dr. Elli, Life Architect
Elysa Roberts, PhD, OTR/L
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