A while ago, I read a blog post called Living in Alignment with your Personal Philosophy. It’s all about how we cannot become our best if we don’t know the true principles that guide our decisions in life. Those principles are our personal philosophy. The post, which I’ll link to below, explains all about how to create a personal philosophy using quotes, phrases and words that are meaningful to you and that you tend to live by.
About 10 or so months ago, I actually followed the steps, created my own personal philosophy, and saved it as a note in my phone so I wouldn’t lose it or forget it. More importantly, as my life unfolded, I tweaked it and added in extra principles that I found value in. It’s nothing anyone else has told me to think, feel or act out. It’s completely personal and unique to me. My themes are minimalism, simplicity, authenticity, mindfulness, movement, outdoors, gratitude and abundance, self-care, and love.
There are days and times when I’m not at my best. It has become much easier for me to correct thoughts, actions, or words, or at least recognize when I’ve done something that does not align with my best self. How do I know what my best self is? I refer to my personal philosophy to check in. I review it before or after a meditation. I try my best to think about it when I’m making decisions. I analyze it if I’m feeling particularly out-of-sync with how I feel I should be moving through the world. I validate the things I’ve done that are in line with my personal philosophy, and I re-adjust to make myself more aligned when I’ve wandered off course.
It’s much easier to follow through with making positive changes in life, when they are a direct result of a personal value statement, because this statement provides the reason behind all we do. For example, instead of thinking “I need to lose 10 lbs,” I might reflect on the statement movement and meditation are my medicine so I know I need to be active AND mindful because that is what lights my fire and makes me feel better. The decision now becomes more intrinsic than related to any external motivation - it answers my why.
I also know there are some areas in my life I would like to improve upon. I’ve always been a sarcastic and cynical person and I know that does not always serve me well. For example, I’ve been working hard to meditate on love, notice the love around me and send it out more freely. I understand the importance of living in, and expressing love, even though it has not always come naturally to me, and wish to do better in this regard. So I added a statement in my personal philosophy about love, and I set an intention to live in and express love so that I can work towards fulfilling that line in my personal philosophy. Because it’s a rule I want to live by, it’s easier for me to carry it out than it is for me to remember just to simply be a nicer person.
Along with personal philosophies comes personal rules. I really like this notion because it allows us to set boundaries for ourselves and our personal lives so that we can live authentically and not be afraid to say no thank you when we are asked to do something we do not want to do. For example, I have a personal rule that I do not accept invites to activities on Fridays before 7:30 pm because I have a standing commitment with my Zumba class. I have a personal rule that I don’t typically stay in the office over lunch as I’m well aware I need the fresh air and some movement to get me through the afternoon. I have another personal rule that Wednesday nights are blocked off so my husband and I can dedicate that time to a regular date night. These little rules allow me to be unapologetic when responding to requests, because I know I am prioritizing my own personal values first. In addition, they all line up nicely with my personal philosophy.
With the year coming to an end and 2019 around the corner, I’d like to challenge you to reflect on your personal philosophy and personal rules instead of new year’s resolutions. As long as you reflect on them often, and make them simple enough that you can remember, you might be surprised at how better able you are to meet your goals when they’re framed as a philosophy instead of a resolution!
And so it is.
If you’d like some help crafting, or living by your own personal philosophy, please contact me to see how we can work together.
Because together, we rise!