Rewriting the Rules Stage of Life
/My weeks don’t look like they used to. I’m embracing this rewrite-the-rules stage of life. Upon review, the constant scheduling, pressed commitments, and hurry are excused. Replaced by gentle refinement, grace, and flexibility. When was the last time you refreshed the rules you set for yourself?
Rewriting doesn’t mean walking away from your dreams, goals, or relationships. It means showing up in a true, genuine light, better because you remove or tweak what no longer resonates. You’re free to show up in all the ways that matter to you.
Below, I’m sharing nine areas to reassess and ask yourself, what works now? Give yourself permission. You may be excited to recraft, edit, or delete a few old routines and replace them with a new energy and vision.
Does work need to be 9am-5pm? Are you still squeezing all the appointments and errands into your lunch hour, out of habit? As long as the work gets done, the “when” is up to you. Half days, skip a day, work an evening, a weekend. Know which hours are the most productive and creative for you, and start from there. You’re allowed to have seasons of work too. Weave the work you love around a life that fulfills you (not the other way around).
All the fabulous, none of the feel bad. Have you picked at least one spirit-free beverage to expand your options? The variety and quality of spirit-free drinks make this choice so much more appealing now. You can enjoy and celebrate, not worry about the drive home, and be clear-headed and creative tomorrow. Cheers to that!
The notion of naps. The quicker picker-upper. Let go of the power-through mentality, and re-energize with twenty minutes of rest. (Or, see #6 below.)
Reinvent recess. Say yes to a mid-day ice cream with sprinkles, where you spin the cone at Olympic speed to keep it from melting down your arm - loving every lick. Insert your own favorite splurge or escape for a few minutes of fun! This mental break gets you out of the grind and back to fresh energy.
Friendships are rarely forever. I talk with so many who echo this sentiment. It’s hard, it’s normal, and it’s okay. You can honor their place in your past and move forward with new possibilities.
Movement brings the magic. Skip one scroll session and walk outside for 15 minutes instead. Science tells us that motion, exercise, is the key to our health and happiness. Your brain loves a walk, to be outside in nature. How can you weave motion into your day?
Savor the solocation. Are you carving out time alone to reflect and refine who you want to be and the direction you’re going? My hope is that you set aside at least one full day, or more. This time is precious, and only in the calm can you hear yourself clearly.
Refinement is the royal treatment. Make a list of things to stop doing. We are the queens of adding more. What do you need to quit doing today?
Self-care isn’t indulgence; it’s sustainable living. Do you ask your body to show up above and beyond the norm? Working long hours, caring for others with little sleep, expecting mental sharpness without proper nutrition, or wondering why you feel bad exercising when you haven’t moved regularly in weeks. (No judgment here, I’ve done them all.) Take care of your body. Either schedule appointments or care for yourself at home with beautiful music, a lovely candle, and a relaxing bath. I’ve made it a priority to support my body so she’s here for my next best self. Decide to age powerfully. What’s one thing you can do to show yourself that rest and rejuvenation are the new plan? This is one rule worth having.
If someone you know needs a refresh and a note of inspiration amid their life changes, I invite you to send portable moments of beauty to encourage and uplift them.