It doesn’t matter if you’re 23 or
65, there comes a time (usually multiple) that you need to re-invent yourself.
Most people think re-invention is only about careers, but it could be about
your health, your looks, your home life or relationships.
You’ve made it this far doing
things the way you do so why change it now? Maybe you just work up realizing
that you aren’t where you want to be, or maybe some drastic change around you
has happened to throw your world into a tailspin. (If that’s happened my dear
friend Author Charmaine Gordon says to “just put one foot in front of the other”,
it’s good advice).
What do you want in life? What are
your true passions, your dreams and your likes? Make a list of where and who
you want to be. Even if you want something seemingly fanciful, aim for it. If
it proves to be unrealistic at least you’ve tried and you’ve probably made
significant moves in the right direction.
Work and careers: My mom always
told me that if you enjoy your work, you’ll never (feel) work a day in your
life. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to look forward to what you do all day long and
still pay your bills? It isn’t uncommon to pursue a career based on favorite
hobbies. Hone your skills, take night classes (often offered at a local high
school for little or no cost) to learn new talents.
Health and body: Improve your diet
by eating the right foods, losing/gaining weight (slowly and regularly),
getting adequate sleep and taking time for yourself (personal grooming). If you
are changing your diet make sure to see a dietician to make sure that your
nutritional needs are being met. Add regular exercise into your daily schedule,
it doesn’t have to be extensive calisthenics, even walking 15-to-30 minutes a
day counts.
Home life/relationships: If the
person or people you spend time with leave you feeling low, or you don’t look
forward to your own four walls, maybe it’s time to move on. Surround yourself with
folks who have similar interest and values, who intrigue you, and who make you
feel important and special. Maybe it’s time for you to change location – look at
your potential opportunities. You might feel comfortable staying in the
community or you might want to move to an entirely different region. Consider
your ties to an area (family and friends), your job opportunities the weather and climate, safety and your
budget.
It takes time so don’t get
discouraged, but if you don’t see movement within a few years, re-evaluate the
steps you’re taking to move towards your target. Re-invent yourself and be
happy.
