There’s no cinematic second higher than the rom-com metamorphosis montage. I’m speaking in regards to the iconic Mia Thermopolis makeover, Julia Roberts’ Fairly Girl transformation, and naturally—it all the time comes again to Anne Hathaway—the Satan Wears Prada glow-up so good, Gisele Bündchen was left speechless. And whereas every of those examples serves to make audiences smile and snigger, our cultural obsession with the glow-up factors to our fixed want for self-improvement. And in order that begs the query: is it attainable to learn to be content material?
We’re all the time in search of self-improvement. Whether or not it’s in our look, at work, or on social media, we all the time need to be higher. However what would occur if we stepped into every day feeling sufficient? First off, we’d probably purchase an excellent deal fewer Instagram-sponsored merchandise (simply sayin’). However extra severely, we’d cease pursuing progress for progress’s sake and eventually learn to be content material with issues as they’re—in each second, proper now.
Featured picture of Cyndi Ramirez by Belathée Photography.
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The way to Be Content material: A Recovering Perfectionist’s Information
A lot of the issue with how we view contentedness comes from the truth that we confound it with complacency. With phrases like ‘no ache, no achieve’ permeating our cultural unconscious, it’s no surprise we’re afraid to take a seat with ourselves and our accomplishments in a second of peace.
It’s necessary to grasp that studying tips on how to be content material is completely different from experiencing happiness. Over the previous decade, a lot of the dialog has surrounded how we are able to pursue and attain happiness (with a lot of the narrative pushed by a disillusionment with our capitalist society). Nevertheless, whereas each phrases describe constructive feelings or states, it’s necessary to distinguish the difference. Happiness describes the state of being comfortable, whereas contentment defines a state of being glad. Crucial distinction between the 2? Happiness takes place within the quick time period, whereas contentment occurs in the long run.
Level is, chasing happiness is a misguided pursuit. It’s one thing we expertise as an emotion reasonably than a protracted state. Personally, in an effort to get better from my very own perfectionism, I’m working towards extra every day habits that may deliver me to an area of serenity and calm with my previous and the path I’m headed. Sound like one thing you’re taken with doing for your self? Let’s dive into the methods we are able to all learn to be content material and settle for ourselves each step of the best way.
Depend Your Blessings
I’ll pause so that you can roll your eyes. Sure, I’m conscious that virtually each wellness article features a pitch so that you can apply gratitude. However reader, gratitude practices wouldn’t get the hype they do in the event that they didn’t work. I used to be skeptical, too—don’t fear. (And admittedly, slightly too lazy to tug out my journal on the finish of the day.) Nevertheless, since committing to the apply in earnest, I’ve seen a whole transformation in my outlook. By reflecting on the individuals, moments, and experiences which have introduced me pleasure, I’m in a position to concretely join with my values every day. Whether or not it’s love, connection, studying, or creativity, cultivating gratitude permits me to give attention to what’s really significant in my life.
Make it occur: Begin your individual journaling apply! On the finish of your day, spend a couple of minutes in mattress or on the sofa jotting down what introduced you pleasure at present. Keep in mind: No gratitude is simply too small. You’re focusing by yourself expertise—and that’s all the time legitimate. (Psst… peep our favourite gratitude journals here. And for those who want extra assist getting began, try Camille’s guide to journaling.)
Journaling Prompts
- Write about one thing that made you snigger uncontrollably.
- What’s the greatest reward you’ve ever acquired?
- Write a couple of pal you actually admire.
Make a Plan Toward Your Goals
We love a good goals list over here. After all, creating direction for ourselves can help us get where we want in life. However, we can run into trouble when we focus so much on the finish line that we don’t make a plan for aligning our daily actions with our goals. If we’re always looking toward the end goal—and don’t see how our day-to-day habits contribute to where we want to be—it can be easy to feel like we’re not making progress.
Remember: our goals reflect our values and what we find meaningful in life. To feel content with where we are, as we still make progress toward the growth we want to experience, it’s important that we structure our goals in a way that allows us to enjoy the journey.
Make it happen: It can be easy to feel scattered and like you’re not making progress when your goals are all over the place. To live each day with purpose and explore the dreams we have for ourselves deeper, it’s important to set yourself up with the tools to help you set intentions and build meaningful progress. The best way to do that? Download our 2023 Vision & Goal Setting Workbook. With this guide, you’ll have the support you need to identify your priorities and celebrate your growth along the way.
Journal Prompts
- What are my top three short-term and long-term goals?
- What do you love about your life as it is right now? How can you bring more of that into every day?
- Imagine your dream day. What are you doing? Who are you spending it with?
Embrace Authenticity
So much of our discontent in life comes from comparison. With people’s wins and highlight reels in our faces at all times, we don’t have to look far for reasons to believe we’re not doing enough. But when we embrace our authenticity and reside in our fact, no matter others do and no matter occurs exterior of ourselves can now not affect our pleasure.
Make it occur: It’s been mentioned 1,000,000 instances, however it’s price repeating: crucial relationship in your life is the one you could have with your self. Spend time with your self. Date your self. Seize your journal and dig deep to get clear on what’s really necessary to you. Schedule a day, a night, or a complete day to spend by your self. Let these 30 ideas for romanticizing your life encourage you to seek out the issues that spark pleasure for you and also you alone.
Journal Prompts
- What issues in my life mild me up?
- What’s one thing you completely know to be true?
- Write a couple of time you felt a profound sense of peace.
Observe Self-Compassion
In 2023, we’re dropping the unfavourable self-talk. We’re being type, mild, and understanding towards ourselves. However reasonably than this trying like poisonous positivity, we’re getting within the behavior of assembly ourselves with self-compassion. Errors are inevitable, so reasonably than beating ourselves up when the inevitable happens, we’re studying from our missteps and persevering with to maneuver ahead consequently. A big a part of studying tips on how to be content material comes from embracing our humanity and acknowledging that everybody makes errors once in a while. After we construct up a toolkit of practices that remind us that we’re merely doing our greatest, we are able to preserve our path and embrace the place we’re proper now.
Make it occur: There’s nothing fairly like working towards constructive affirmations to shift your perspective. We shared 51 of our favorites right here. You may say these to your self within the mirror within the morning (it’s uncomfortable at first, however keep it up!), write them down and maintain them beside your laptop, or fill a mason jar with affirmations that you just pull out one firstly of your day. Let these truths sink in and enable you to see your self because the fantastically flawed, completely imperfect particular person you’re.
Journal Prompts
- What unrealistic expectations of myself can I launch?
- What obligations can I launch from my weekly schedule to create extra time for myself?
- What issues enable you to really feel protected and supported?
