Transformation: 5 Things To Remember When it Feels Difficult

Earlier this week, while trying to drift off to sleep I noticed something felt off.

As I focused and listened, I realized I could hear a bird singing. It felt unfamiliar because I wasn’t yet used to the emerging sounds of spring.

At first, I was a little annoyed. (Sleep can be difficult for me, even in silence.) I wondered why in the world he was singing at this hour.

Once I relaxed again, I decided it really wasn’t so bad. Almost nice, in fact.

Isn’t that typical of spring?

Spring is a series of changes that lead to a new normal. At first, the changes can feel unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

Even Though We Want the Outcome, the Process Can be Messy

Most of us want the promise of warmer weather and longer days. We want to be able to look out into a world that is awake with the bright colors of blooming flowers and various shades of green in the trees and grass.

We crave the feeling of sitting outside, taking in the last drops of sunset while chatting with friends.

We desire those moments of magic when we see a butterfly or a hummingbird gently land on a blossom in front of us.

But the road into spring can be a little messy. It’s …

  • Noticing the weeds that spring to life right along with the new grass in the lawn
  • Digging up dirt to plant new flowers
  • Cleaning the winter haze off the windows, to let in spring’s bright sunshine
  • And yes: getting used to the new sounds of birds and insects, after so many months of near silence

As someone who’s spent years studying, and doing the work of personal development, that all sounds very similar to the process of personal transformation.

If personal transformation were a season, it would be spring.

Personal transformation is often messy and unfamiliar. It can feel clumsy. The moments before the biggest breakthroughs can feel maddening.

But just like spring’s freshly planted seeds that eventually push past the confines of the soil, and go on to bloom … so can you.

Whether you’re working on transforming your relationship with food and your body, or you are transforming into a new role, etc … following are some steps to help you along.

5 Things to Remember When Transformation Feels Difficult

1. Focus on exactly why you desire this change. A strong “why” can help carry you through the roughest days.

2. Keep in mind that new actions require active thinking, until you get used to them. Actively having to think out each step can feel difficult. But just like you eventually learned to walk or talk without consciously thinking through each step, you can get to that same ease with new actions too. It might just take a little time. Hang in there.

3. See yourself as already being, doing, or having whatever it is you’re trying to achieve. Mental imagery is a common practice among high achievers, including top athletes. Give it a try!

4. Know the difference between moving forward and forcing ahead. Just like spring, move at your own speed. Don’t force. Be gentle with yourself. Be drawn by what feels right for you in each moment.

5. And, no matter how long (or short) the journey … all you ever need to do is take the very next step. So, there’s no need to worry that you don’t know every step. You weren’t meant to. Just begin and keep moving forward.

If you need any help on you journey. Let me know.

XO
Piper