Happy Mondays
Leading life and happiness coach
SEPTEMBER’S almost through and summer has long ago officially lost interest in us – but have we? Scroll through hundreds of social media posts, camera peering between toned and tanned thighs to a glorious sun, sand and sea view and you would be within your rights to think everyone except you had a fabulous summer and now it’s the slow descent into the dark months.
The school-age children of our friends are kitted out in “you’ll grow into it” uniforms, their faces mixing excitement and the rictus-grin fear of what fresh hellish term awaits.
We all know the sense of renewal the autumn term brings. Granted, some will have had lovely holidays (and will not tire of telling you about them) while others will have muddled through the same old rest of the year stuff in slightly warmer weather, face pressed against an armpit in a rush hour train or bus, nearly empty Smart water bottle poking out of bag, not really feeling any smarter for drinking it.
September is a seasonal cue for you to turbo-charge your life. Just as children grasp unwritten exercise books so our futures are unwritten but we can start making lists and plans.
What has been weighing us down? What has inspired us? In what instances are we chugging along with a half-hearted smile without really getting anywhere? Just as important as short-term “to do” lists in diaries are “not to do any more” lists. Think of the things or people or ideas or self-beliefs that have been holding you in a pattern like those planes at airports, circling slowly and waiting for their turn to land.
September is your time to land, and – not in spite of but because of the crisp, autumnal air – you should arrive on terra firma with a spring in your step and a gladness in your heart.
You don’t have to hope to get the “nice teacher” like the kids do. The nice teacher is yourself. Open your books at the first page and let us begin.
Start by decluttering your home and life. If it doesn’t make your heart sing bin it. Don’t hold on to things out of guilt or duty and aim for streamlined simplicity. Declutter your social circle too and rid yourself of energy hoovers and those on permanent broadcast.
Don’t over-complicate your thinking. Aim for clarity. When you have clarity you don’t need therapy.
To get clarity you need to know yourself. What you love and are naturally good at makes your heart do a Pavarotti and gives you a hot flush (but without the hormones).
Stop waiting to get “there”. This is your life. This very second you can choose to do things differently. Life isn’t over there ready to start when you’ve got the guy/gal, have dropped a dress size or got the car.
Write down a list of 10 great things you’ve done this year, how it made you feel and what 10 things you want to do next. No list?
See me after school.