Rewrite 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.

1. 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). 

2. 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 appealing. You can enjoy and celebrate, not worry about the drive home, and be clear-headed and creative tomorrow. Cheers to that! 

3. 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.)

4. 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.  

5.  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. 

6. 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? 

7. 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. 

8. 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?

9. 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.
   
   

Interest Is Your Compass

In my conversations with women, I find that many are looking for an immediate answer, a quick solution to the question of what comes next in this new chapter. Most don’t want to wade into the unknown with enthusiasm in order to uncover what’s possible. Often, we’re too practical for that. We lament, thinking of how much time we’ll waste. (I know, I’ve said those words myself.) We’d just like the answer, please. So we can keep going. Yet, it doesn’t work that way. 

Follow what feels interesting, and see what direction it inspires.

For those of you staring straight into change, a transition, the mystery of it all, here’s what I recommend. Dial the noise down a notch and alter your environment. Note what captures your attention. See where your compass points. In the midst of bright sunshine and longer, more luxurious days, this is a perfect time to be open - in your mind and in outdoor spaces. 

As crazy as it sounds, slowing down now to reveal your interests is what allows you to move faster, later. An intentional pause saves time in the long run, avoiding unnecessary restarts. One thing I know: if you don’t pause for a refresh, you speed into chaos.

And if you say, “I have no interests,” then spending time in the quiet is at the top of your list. You’ve kept yourself so busy that you haven’t yet allowed your interests or passions to come alive, to be heard. That’s job one. It will be uncomfortable; however, do it anyway. Walk without your phone, or sit on the floor and take some deep breaths. Practice being in silence until the chatter dissipates and you can hear yourself nudging and inviting what’s next. (If this idea terrifies you, then you might explore why.) 

Instead of following your usual routine and doing what makes sense, follow what feels interesting and see what meets you there. 

If this sounds like where you are, and you’d love more inspiration, I invite you to explore Visions of Possibility.

What if Your Vision Fits Your Life?

Are you holding on to your current life so tight that your dreams are slipping away? I talk to women who work so hard for what they have and think their only option is to choose between their dreams and the life they have today. What if it’s possible to create space, a world where you continue your growth and fulfillment, and savor what’s fun and fabulous in your life?

create a vision that savors the fulfilling, the fun, and the fabulous

There’s no magic wand required; it comes down to three things. Getting clear on what you want, defining next steps, and being devoted to your priorities.

Gaining clarity means first choosing your non-negotiables. What are the joys, the activities, the things that are the most important in your life? These elements remain a priority, and your body of work or business is threaded around them. Family gatherings, date night, dinner with friends, your art, journaling, reading, travel, long walks, etc. What is the life you’re creating?

Once you set your non-negotiables, you weave the work you love around these areas. This is the time to refresh and refine your plan. Write down the steps you want to take this quarter and add them to your calendar. Then, step back and take a look at what you’ve created. Does this schedule excite you, feel inspiring, offer you a chance to stretch and grow? Or are you exhausted looking at it? Be real. Move, extend, or change what doesn’t feel right in this chapter of your life. Your calendar speaks volumes, and as a smart, capable individual, you decide your timeline and path forward.

Lastly, being devoted to your schedule and to the priorities you’ve set makes all other decisions easy. It allows you to avoid temptations and time-wasters disguised as opportunities, activities that move you off track, and derail your plan. Because you take the time to get clear and make thoughtful decisions, you can say “yes” or “no” with confidence, choosing to stick to your plan and the exciting life you’re building.

As the CEO of your life, revisit and refresh your plan. Savor the fun and fulfillment with a vision that fits your next vibrant chapter.