What new way of being do you want to keep?

Right after 9/11 my inbox was flooded with emails and my phone was ringing off the hook.

At the time, I was still working as a career strategist, helping people map out their career/life direction and integrate who they are with what they do.  9/11 served as a lightning bolt for my clients. That tragedy woke them up from their lazy slumber. They suddenly became very clear on what they wanted and they were seeking my support on how to make their new life dream a reality—whether that was changing fields or writing a book.

I see the pandemic, and all of the fallout from this, as being another opportunity to help us get clear on how we want to live.

How will you allow this experience to change you? What do you desire to release (perhaps rushing in the mornings, over-scheduling your family, a long commute, a soul-sucking job, too much time at a computer) and what new way of being do you want to keep?

When I posed this question on my Facebook page last week, many of the responses were similar: less rushing, a quieter life, more time in nature, a slower pace, walks first thing in the morning, less travel, more cooking.

The thread throughout all these replies was the desire to live a more intentional life.

We’re entering a time of BIG unknowns and while we’ve survived many unknowns (divorces, career changes, major illnesses, financial upheaval), there was always an end in sight. This time things are a little different. For now, living in the unknown is our new normal. We have no idea how long we’ll be in this state of uncertainty AND we know things will never be the same. How does this sit with you?

This week, I encourage you to reflect on two questions and then share your responses with a trusted friend on Friday:

1. What new way of being do I want to keep (from this quarantine period)?
2. What self-care practices help me thrive when I’m living in the unknown (look back on past experiences)?

Let’s not waste this time.  Let’s soften and open. Let’s become more curious and more present. Let’s allow this global event to change us into more aligned, purposeful, alive, compassionate, kind, connected and less plugged in humans.  I believe our individual and collective survival will depend on it.

Does my blog help you live more intentionally? Please share it! I’m happy to be able to provide these timely self-care practices, tools and resources to you during this challenging time. If you are blessed to be in a fully resourced place and want to support others, you can make a donation at paypal.me/ReneeTrudeau. I’m offering several free programs right now to families and would welcome your sponsorship!

SEEKING SUPPORT FOR YOURSELF OR YOUR TEAM? HERE ARE TWO OPPORTUNITIES:

• Consider hiring me to create a workshop to help your team, organization or employees feel less stressed and more resilient, energized and focused. My primary work is speaking to professionals worldwide on how to find balance through practicing the art/science of self-care. Whether it’s an in-person workshop, keynote or via a Zoom session, I’d love to support your team now or in the future. Learn more here.
• It’s OK to look ahead! Envision yourself with me at a 2020-21 self-renewal retreat. Come fill your well, get clear on what’s next for you and sink into connection & support with like-minded women. Learn more.

Subscribe here to Live Inside Out, a weekly blog written by life balance author/speaker and self-care evangelist Renée Peterson Trudeau. Passionate about helping men and women find balance through the art/science of self-care, her work has appeared in The New York Times, Good Housekeeping, US News & World Report, Spirituality & Health and more. She and her team have certified more than 400 facilitators in 10 countries around the globe to lead self-renewal groups and women’s retreats based on her work. She’s the author of two books on life balance including the award-winning The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and 18-year-old son. More on Renee here.