Getting back your oomph Week 14
Last week we explored relationships and our interest in others, which invited us to think about what we are interested in. When considering getting back our ‘oomph’ ‘zest for life’ its important to be aware of what we find interesting and if we have lost our interest in things how to restore it.
When we talk about our life being in balance, its rare every element of our life is completely balanced like a cake which has equal slices, its also rare than everything we find ourselves doing is enjoyable, but does it offer a sense of achievement or satisfaction when it’s done? It’s funny how often that sense of achievement or satisfaction can be just as rewarding (sometimes more so) than a feeling of enjoyment. We all have the things we would rather not do e.g. some serious deep cleaning of the bathroom, however, when it’s done and we step back and see all the taps gleaming, it can make us smile and think ‘I did that’. We are all different, so maybe this does not have the same meaning for you, but for me, giving the bathroom a deep clean, taking down all the pictures and cleaning them and putting everything back all gleaming, makes me smile.
The image is one example of the wheel of a balanced life. It is divided in equal parts. Although they may not be equal in your life, people who experience a sense of wellbeing tend to have something positive happening in each part of the wheel.
If it has meaning for you, perhaps reflect how much enjoyment or sense of achievement you have experienced over the past several months. For each wedge, 0=none, 5=some and 10=heaps. The places scoring zero might be the places to give some thought and take some action to improve the balance within your own life.
Point for reflection, pick what has meaning for you, or add your own
What do you need to focus on to get your life in balance?
- I can get more sense of enjoyment or achievement through learning by.
- I can get more sense of enjoyment or achievement through friends by.
- I can get more sense of enjoyment or achievement through spending time with family by.
- I can get more sense of enjoyment or achievement through spending time on work by.
- I can get more sense of enjoyment or achievement through relaxing by.
- I can get more sense of enjoyment or achievement through looking after my health by.
- I can get more sense of enjoyment or achievement through spirituality by.
You have the power to start making these changes. One way to get going is to make a ‘personal promise’. What promise will you make to yourself today? Be sure it is one you intend to keep. Remember that even small steps can make a big difference.
Sometimes we can feel stuck and not be sure what it is we want to do. Perhaps exploring a new hobby or interest may help? https://www.copescotland.com/resources/regaining-an-interest-in-life
Bouncing back from life’s bumpy road, think about the benefits of having a hobby or new area of interest. They can help you find a focus that brings you relief and gives you a break from stresses beyond your control. Just like a body needs, sleep, a mind needs a chance to recover and pay attention to something positive.
New hobbies and interests can be useful tools for building an internal shelter from life’s storms. They can create a rewarding routine, as well as becoming a new source of pleasure and accomplishment. Both help restore confidence and raise self-esteem. It can also be a way of discovering potential new friends and sources of support among others sharing the same hobby or interest. Point for reflection.
Think of something you have always wanted to do?
What are the obstacles to you doing this?
How can you overcome these obstacles?
What do you have to do to achieve this?
When will you do this? It’s important to have a timeline, so that your good intentions don’t all disappear into the pit called ‘Someday’. You can, and will, find time for whatever truly matters to you, sometimes you just need to take time to remind yourself what that really is.
Next week is our final reflection which shall focus on making time to be grateful, We shall also offer some final ideas on creating your own ‘map’ of where you want your car of life to go.
For now, be kind to yourself as you do matter