The ever-evolving list of life lessons I’ve (repeatedly) learned the hard way.
Every year in December, I run away from home.
I typically leave the country on a solo retreat.
A sacred and adventurous journey away from my everyday life, creating the space to reflect, recharge and set intentions for the year ahead with (hopefully) just a bit more wisdom and grace.
These life lessons continue to evolve every year as I face new challenges, find myself repeating the same mistakes over and over again, and work to continually rediscover myself amidst the wreckage of stress, failure and reinvention.
- There is no destination, just the journey today.
- To grow, sit still.
- To be free of fear and anxiety, make it a habit to do scary, brave, wild things.
- To defeat almost any inner demon, act the opposite.
- To feel “good enough,” take big risks. Never shrink into safety.
- To love my body, use it fully to move, play and explore.
- To break out of apathetic avoidance, burn the to do list, let go of all obligations and just do something. Anything.
- To feel loved, love myself and have faith: The right people show up at the right time.
- To live fully, stop planning. Watch and listen for the signs and then say yes.
- To be a great parent, be imperfectly real and terribly patient.
- To feel safe, take the risk and be vulnerable.
- To walk through depression and other periods of hell, lean in to the pain with compassion, and then go outside.
- To find belonging and connection, listen to and show up for others without judgment.
What are some of the life lessons you hold onto?