Creating lasting changes can support us in designing a mindful and intentional life that nurtures our wellbeing. How do we create lasting changes?
We begin by developing clear intentions about what matters most, about who we want to be in the world, and about what we need to do in order to be that person. After we create our intentions, we need to find a way to keep them front and center in our awareness. We can do this by writing them down in our journal and writing them in a place that we will we see them on a daily basis. Again, we want to keep the intentions in mind.
Once we are reminding ourselves of our intentions, it’s important to design a clear path toward realizing them. What steps will we need to take to realize the intentions that we have set forth? Make a list of the steps, and then create a timeline for getting there. What new habits are you attempting to develop? Where will you begin? What supports do you need in place to help you to succeed?
We will likely encounter obstacles along the way. What obstacles do you anticipate? What are some strategies for dealing with these obstacles?
Try to approach developing and realizing your intentions with mindfulness. Mindfulness is awareness of the present moment with kindness. How can you be kind to yourself in the midst of moments when things are going well and in the moments when they are not going well?
When you’re attempting to make changes in your life, the harder you are on yourself when things are not going well, the more likely you are to feel badly about yourself. The worse you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to turn back toward the behavior that you were attempting to change in the first place, in an attempt to cope with feeling so badly about yourself. Try learning to relate with self-compassion, and notice what happens. Practicing self-compassion is one of the most powerful things we can do to support us in realizing our intentions.
Carry on, with mindfulness and self-compassion. Take it one step at a time.
Jen Johnson is a mindfulness coach, teacher, and therapist teaching mindfulness and creativity for healing and resilience. Learn more about Jen Johnson’s Mindful Self-Compassion course.