Reinventing Yourself Can Increase Happiness-Here’s How You Do it

When I was in the midst of my chronic illness, I found myself extremely disappointed in myself and the life that up until that point-I had been proud of.

Initially upon finding out that I was sick I was pretty depressed, in shock, and grieving. But once I decided I was going to control what I could control-and work toward getting healthier-that's when I became disappointed.

The thing I learned about the autoimmune disorder I had was that it was brought on by a mix of lifestyle choices, relationships, and mental health struggles that I had in my life. This was so disappointing to me because I had considered myself to be such a healthy person. In fact, I prided myself in my "come up" story...how unhealthy my life was and how I turned it all around.

So, understandably, I was like, "what do you mean I'm the one who is making me sick??"

Once I got past the ego part of it all, I started to learn how I needed to restructure my life for my health...and everything got better from there.

To reinvent yourself means:

1. Looking at the person you are today, and examining whether or not this person reflects the best version of yourself. If you could...what would you change to be even better?

2. Leaving your comfort zone. Taking your mind to a place where it is self-reflecting and deeper than ever before. Accessing emotions and memories you've long avoided. Going into situations and experiences that you're afraid of. Taking the leap.

3. Creating change. The food you eat...the clothes you wear...the places you visit...the people you surround yourself with...the way you spend your time...the way you talk to yourself... pay attention to how each make you feel when you nourish yourself and your life in them. & then ask yourself, "DOES this nourish myself and my life? Or does it cause it to wilt?"

4. Take action. Embody the person you want to be. Create small, meaningful goals that are led by your values and done with intention to create a life that feels like it belongs with you.

Reinventing yourself this way (over and over in life) means that you're going with the ever-changing tide, not against it.

When we cling to the past...to the person we used to be...we are resistant. We are swimming upstream.

If we are unsuccessful in doing so we find ourselves depressed or frustrated. If we are successful in doing so we will find ourselves bored, and afraid.

But reinventing yourself and rewriting your timeline...your goals...your visions...that leaves you feeling positive, hopeful, excited, passionate and above all, happy.

So here's some steps you can start taking to reinvent yourself:

Define Who You Want To Be

Envision the next chapter of your life...what do you want it to look like? How do you want to show up in it? What kind of clothes do you wear, where do you spend your time, what are your hobbies, how do you show up in the world around you? Define her. Visualize her. Think about her traits and values, her thoughts and feelings. If you're not sure who she is...what lessons have you learned this year? How can they lead you to a better you in the coming year?

Let Go Of The Old Versions Of You

Identify all of the old stories, thoughts, beliefs and identities that no longer apply. Or maybe that aren't conducive to the person you want to be. Let them go. Declutter yourself mentally every night, switch up your environment, and don't keep anyone around who isn't okay with your growth.

Define Your Values

These give your life meaning. What gives your life meaning? How do you want to feel in this journey? How can you take these values and turn then into actions to live by?

Create New Systems

Your old one is outdated. The new systems you create need to align with the person you WANT to be. Not who you are currently, or who you've been. What do you spend your energy on (thoughts, actions, time) that isn't taking you toward your best self? Toward your values? What habit can you replace it with instead? Something more aligned?

Explore Your Passions

Get curious about the world you've created for yourself. Take yourself to places you've never been. Try new things. Do experiences you've never done. Find out what ignites you and lights you up. Discover your superpowers and your struggles. How are they all part of your story? How can they lead you into the next era of yourself?

These are some of the basic things I did when I realized I needed to restructure my life, and that ultimately-this would restructure my Self.

When I saw my future self as healthy...that was a great starting point to leading me into the habits and ways of living I needed to change. Defining the values I wanted to live by and how the systems needed to align with those gave me daily direction on how to embody this new version. This all led me to my passion-guiding others into discovering the authentic version of themselves that they may have been missing all of this time.

What started out for me as the scariest and most devastating moment of my life-turned me into the best and most aligned version of myself that I could've ever dreamed of. I want that for you too.

You deserve happiness. You deserve to feel this free.