The Reinvention
Do we reach points in life where it’s almost inevitable that we need to make a change? If so, why? If not, are we too comfortable?
Last week I introduced the multiverse of you. Yes, you! Consider a scale from 0-100 of versions of you in different imagined universes. The 0-end marks the least successful you and the 100-end marks the most successful you. I argued that the best place to be is just above the midground, at 51%. You’re wonderfully average, but you’ve not committed so much that aspects of your life are missing like the version on the 100-end, and deep down, that version of you isn’t happy.
Being at 51% involves slow, purposeful growth while giving time to love yourself, and others around you.
Maybe at some point in life, you reach a crossroads. Or perhaps you’ve reached the end of a road. It’s at these points in life where a decision has to be made. At the crossroads, which way do you go? At the end of the road, do you walk back on steps you’ve already made, or do you jump?
When we reach these moments in life where “something gives”, we recognise a change is necessary. I reached one of those points before I started writing here on Substack, and I think I’m reaching one again.
What Prompts This Revelation?
When we look around at our lives, what can prompt this recognition that we might need a change?
Burnout – Sometimes, we work so hard for so long, that a persistent tiredness doesn’t fade. This is burnout, and living with the effects of it over a prolonged period is no way to live. Perhaps a realisation such as this can spark such a realisation that a change is necessary.
Unsatisfaction – Take a scale from 0-10. Give every day a rating based on your happiness. What increases the rating? What decreases the rating? Most importantly, what is your average? How could you prioritise the aspects of life that increase the rating through a change?
Significant Life Events – Big life events already have the potential to bring about huge change. They can allow us to recognise what’s truly important in life, and an initial change can prompt further changes.
Achieving A Huge Goal or Milestone – When we achieve a goal, we often reflect on our past journey that got us to this point. Once we’ve reflected, it can come to the time to assess what’s next. This can often find us in new situations, and the potential to see new opportunities for growth that emerge through changes.
Inner Growth – I know I’ve sometimes felt stagnant in life. Firstly, this can sometimes be a consequence of short-term thinking. So ensure we take long-term views when it comes to growth. However, if you think you need to change strategy with your routine or habits, pursuing this can lead to changes that lead to a less stagnant feeling.
When we reach these points in life, what comes next is to take a jump. How can we take advantage of this?
Know Your Values – The Minimalists have a great resource called the Values Worksheet. We have foundational values shared by most people, such as health, connection, creativity, and growth. It’s through our structural values that we come to better understand ourselves. Perhaps we want freedom, or we value gratitude, solitude, or trust. Once we understand what we value, we can better judge if a change in life would suit us.
Mental Time Travel – We can often dive into situations with little thought, and this can be good if we remain adaptable. However, as a pre-emptive measure, fast forward to yourself in a month, or a year. Where are you? How do you feel? Is this a life worth pursuing? If so, what changes need to be made and how can you work towards them? By mentally preparing, when it comes to taking the jump, it’s less of a frightening task.
Seek Support – This can all be daunting alone. Talk to those you love who you know have your best interests at heart.
Act – If you say you’re going to do something, do it.
Be Adaptable – As mentioned earlier, if you pursue a change and take the jump, and it’s not at all what you expected, how can you make the best of this situation? It’s important to know when to quit, especially if a situation is having a more negative impact than a positive. But it can be good to give it a try. We often avoid discomfort when it can sometimes align with the biggest growth periods in our lives. It can be these situations where we change the most and better learn about ourselves and what we value.
Concluding Remarks
So, we’re at the point where we’ve decided we might want to reinvent ourselves. What comes after reinvention? Rebirth.