Shedding

We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come. Joseph Campbell

I’m doing a lot of shedding right now. Letting things whither on the vine. Die. Crumble. And fall to the ground.

I’ll sweep up the mess later.

I want to listen, and move swiftly, as I attune to this urgent calling to clean house. To let go–once and for all–of old beliefs, attitudes and habits that no longer serve me. That represent outdated, outgrown ways of being. And seeing. And relating.

I’m shedding parts of my business–and ways of working–that are no longer sustainable. I’m shedding aspects of my personality that are holding me back (thank you New Way of Being teleclass for helping me let go). That are keeping me from experiencing a lighter, freer, more open and “ready for anything” Renee.

I’m going through my spice rack, my old journals and purging my clothes closet. I’m releasing relationships and ties that are taking up too much energy. I’m using an industrial size loofah sponge and  sloughing off the dead skin in my life.

So I can simplify, streamline and create wide open space for what’s coming my way. For the wild unknown.

Feeling called to join me? Here are three questions to sit with: What in my life am I ready to release and let go of for good? What aspect of my personality keeps me from living more fully, from living the life I desire? What recent signs have I received that indicate parts of my life/career are complete and ready for composting? If you’re in transition (read 10 things I tell my friends in transition) be gentle with yourself, reach out for support and take baby steps. Just start by purging your bedroom closet –then go from there.

TAKE ACTION: What’s the best way to navigate big life transitions? With the empowering support of a women’s circle. My new Embracing the Wild Unknown Austin women’s group is sold out, but our Personal Renewal Groups are meeting around the globe (and always offer scholarship spots). Find out more about how to join or facilitate women’s self-renewal groups/retreats here. This powerful, 12 year-old award-winning program has supported thousands through major life transitions.

Subscribe here to Live Inside Out, a weekly blog written by life balance teacher and Career Strategists president, Renée Peterson Trudeau. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Good Housekeeping and more. Thousands of women in ten countries are becoming RTA-Certified Facilitators and leading/joining Personal Renewal Groups based on her award-winning curriculum.  She is the author of The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal and Nurturing the Soul of Your Family: 10 Ways to Reconnect and Find Peace in Everyday Life. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and 12 year-old son. More on her background here.