How to ignite your spark again
In this overstimulating society, it’s easy to lose your spark, to lose touch with your intuition, your inner light. Over-aware of every single thing that happens, struggling with feelings of responsibility and fear of doing the ‘wrong’ thing. We get lost in the noise, in all the options and opinions. Distracted by all that is happening.
It’s not as easy anymore to keep focus, to have tunnel vision. We live in a time of rapid change, work has become more demanding than ever because of it, having to keep up with global (technological) trends and innovations as these have been growing exponentially faster ever since the rise of the internet and technological tools of this 21st century. We have to change and adapt way more often and faster than we ever have. And all this in the same 500 year old capitalistic system that hasn’t evolved with us at all.
It’s fair to say people really have been having less and less time to actually care for themselves as careers have taken the forefront of our lives. Burnout, depression and suicide numbers have never been proportionally as high as they are today. The internet has created a shift in our life perspective, being much more aware. This is why ‘health and well-being’ is seeing such a rise in popularity. Plenty would call this a ‘trend’ I believe it’s not ‘just a phase’ but a crucial element of life, that has been overlooked and is now reshaping our entire business and society structures. Hence the chaotic period of intense change, we are right in the middle of revolutionary times.
Nevertheless, being aware doesn’t mean we get the hang of it and know what to do in moments of overwhelm.
Which is why I gathered some practical tips and tricks based on the latest research and personal experience:
First of all sit still, alone, in quiet. Just you, no distractions, no music, no podcast, no screens, nothing. Sit alone, so that no one else’s energy or words or attitude can influence your truth. It will only arise if you let it, if you allow it, make space for it and welcome it. If you don’t want to sit alone in quiet, your fear/judgement of facing those intense thoughts and feelings might be what’s making this a hard thing to do. If making yourself aware of this still makes it too difficult, please seek help, from therapists, coaches, osteopaths or anything and anyone that will guide you on how to face those complex feelings and thoughts.
Often there is something specific yet random that triggers us to decide to face them and let them out. A realisation that any act other than facing those difficult thoughts and feelings will only make it worse and keep us from getting better.
Secondly, you can just become aware of what you feel and accept it, and perhaps attempt to question what triggered you feeling this way. If you feel like it, you might write it on paper (nobody’s grading or seeing it) so write all the grammar and spelling mistakes you want in your ugliest handwriting, all that matters is getting what you feel and what triggered it to the surface to be able to give it a place in your mind and find what you want and don’t want to feel and do. To see it materialised and recognised somehow will help you make future decisions more in alignment with your truth.
The following concrete steps might help you hear yourself again:
Make a list of things that bring you joy and excitement. Or make an ultimate bucket list of all the things you want to do in your life before you eventually die. This thought is usually a scary one for a lot of people. But it’s unavoidable truth, whether we die at 20, 50 or 100. Our bodies decay, and it’s that realisation, when that really kicks in, that usually triggers people to finally do all the things they dream to do and allow themselves to be happy. It’s a very efficient tool to get to your deepest, desperate desires that have been drowned in societal noise.
The next step is to implement as many of these things in your (daily) life and recognise them as you presently experience them. No excuses anymore, now is the moment, don’t overthink it or find excuses because it’s scary and intimidating to try new things that you have lots of hope and expectations for. If you keep your expectations to “I trust the universe/god. I’ll make the best of any situation”, you’ll be just fine!
Make a habit of writing down or meditating on your gratefulness for those experiences and feelings. The daily shifting of your focus to what you are grateful for and what you love, such as feelings of happiness and bliss, will only attract more of it. Taking pictures, keeping tickets to make a scrapbook or photo album and journalling about your day and experiences, are practical tools that may help entertain this practice and feeling.
And then you do it again, as life is an ongoing experience that never sleeps and you have to practice this to keep close to your truth, to your essence…
If you have a hard time recalling what brings you joy and excitement, try to experience new things again, do the latest activity that seemed nice and has been on your mind, or try something that you feel jealous about when you see people experiencing it. Try something new, when any opportunity for it arises. Assess how you feel about it before, during, and after trying it. It will help you determine what you like and what you don’t. And be courageous, be brave, be daring, for we averagely only get 80 summers, 80 springs, 80 autumns and 80 winters.
I sincerely hope these tips help. When we realise the power we hold over our lives and take responsibility for our own happiness we can create it. It doesn’t have to be that hard, it’s only as hard as we are conditioned to believe it to be. Read that again : “It’s only as hard - as we are conditioned - to believe it to be.” Start rewiring your brain and see you around for another article.
Love,
Mélanie
