I would be lying if I told you I saw my life as it is today! The truth is my parents (mainly my mother) set the standard for my life when I was young and it wasn't until after graduating college, I realized I was never in control of my life.
Every choice or major decision was filtered through pleasing my parents to get their approval and love. I believed that the only way for me to do that was to do everything they said and never go against what they taught me.
Fast forward to 2017 when I moved back home and started realizing that I had no vision for myself. I would ask myself countless times "How do I want to live my life?"
I started praying to ask God for direction and clarity and I started setting intentions. At that time I was one of the make-a-wish at 11:11 girls.
After some time, the job I wished for came, I traveled a lot, and I had a friend group and social life I saw for myself. Even though I was happy, there was still this painstaking feeling of unfulfillment.
I was, again... living out the life my parents wanted for me because subconsciously that was the only way I saw adult life.
Then I experienced the first spiritual awakening that shook me to my core and changed my life forever.
In a dream, clear as the daytime sky, a voice said the following:
To live YOUR life, you have to honor YOUR truth
I woke up and started journaling immediately...defining my truth.
Identifying the parts of me that I was hiding from myself and others.
I had always enjoyed studying astrology and astronomy. I mean learning about Galileo and Benjamin Bannekar during my upbringing we're a highlight of my childhood. But I studied in secret because of fear and shame.
My dreams were always how I received messages for myself or about family. But, I never said anything about them until something happened physically that deeply aligned with the dreams.
I was deeply suppressing my creative and intuitive abilities because they didn't feel accepted or nurtured growing up.
This brings me to the work I do today, helping women identify their truths and start living in their greatness and authenticity.
After identifying my truth, I've been following these 5 steps repeatedly ever since.
Here's how I created lasting change within myself starting in 2017:
1. I accepted the VISION for my life - I would see myself living a life of luxury and generosity. My Tumblr reblogs revealed my love for high-end fashion, large homes, and his and her everything. Today my Pinterest Boards reflect the same vision (just less pink lol).
2. I'm continually discovering my wants and desires - For decades, I believed all we needed in life is what we needed. This mindset caused me to deny my wants and desires because "that would be too much."
Every day I am allowing myself to desire and receive more than just what I need to survive. I allow myself to thrive in plenty and overflow of love, money, connections, time, energy, health, consistency... the list goes on.
3. Defined my Goals - Goals have become more like objectives to complete. In 2017, I defined my goals for marriage, business, relationships, parenthood, health, and wellness. Each day I make choices that align with my objectives for each of the major areas of my life.
Currently, my main focus is friendships and partnerships and how that objective relates to the other goals. Identifying the type of people that are healthy for my mind, body, and business has been a game changer in my self-work.
4. Taking Inspired Action - Inspired action can always feel impulsive to some people. I believe this is when God is providing clear instructions on the next step. Taking inspired action is how I started to build trust in my discernment and intuitive guidance. Taking inspired action continues to support the change I've initiated in my life.
5. Adapting and Adjusting - This is the most important step in creating lasting change. Without adjusting or adapting to the vision for self, we are subjected to returning to what feels comfortable or normal. This is the step that requires the most accountability if you want to change for good and never return to old and unhealthy ways of being or thinking.
When I learned that I was no longer in student loan debt earlier this month, it took me 7 days to adjust in my mind and nervous system to my new financial truth and reality.
I'm still adapting to this change, because "getting out of debt" had been an unconscious intention in my business and brand. I also feel like it was another reason why my business struggled for the longest time.
Now I'm back to step 1, adjusting my vision and intentions and working through this process to continue building on the change I've created so far.
I share this process with you because the journey of change is going to happen regardless if we're intentional about it or not.
I also share this with you as a reminder that growth and development are not a 1 and done process. This 5-step journey to lasting change is a cycle that helps you while you build up every level of yourself.
- Here are some journal prompts for your journey: What talents or abilities do you have that you are naturally good at and passionate about?
- In what ways does your everyday way of life reflect your most important values?
- What beliefs or fears have held you back from pursuing your main passion in life until now?
- In your life so far, what valuable lessons have you learned that others might find useful? What are the ones you could start teaching others today?
- If you no longer had to earn money, what would you do instead?