Time to pause and re-think how you want to live

After a year of being in hibernation mode due to the pandemic, this past week felt different to me. It felt hopeful. It felt like change was in the air.

Maybe it's the longer daytime hours, the warmer temperatures, and the sound of the birds chirping. Maybe it's getting daily reports from some of my friends (ages 60+) that they've received their first COVID vaccinations. Maybe it's sensing that my own vaccination opportunity isn't that far out anymore. Maybe it's knowing that we'll slowly be able to resume new-normal lives.

All this has brought a pep into my step that hasn't been there for a few months. I've started wearing brighter clothes that haven't seen the light of day in a year (clothes that actually require ironing!). I've re-started my daily walking routine and joined a walking challenge. I've started thinking about how I want to live my life once this pandemic is over.

While the pandemic has taken a tremendous toll on everyone, it also has given us the chance to pause and re-think how we want to live going forward. If your focus before the pandemic was primarily on your career and making more money, maybe you want to spend more time with family and loved ones going forward. If you neglected your physical and mental wellness before the pandemic, maybe you've realized that your health is more important than any physical possessions.

"It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver" -- Mahatma Gandhi

This quote resonates very strongly with me. You can find it as the tagline on the main page of my yoga website.

Throughout my 20s and 30s, I was completely focused on my career. But my career achievements came at a cost to my health and well-being which I mainly ignored. By the time I turned 40, I was overweight, suffered from chronic back pain, and had trouble sleeping.

I physically and mentally transformed myself during my 40s by bringing yoga into my life, changing my eating habits, and learning about the science of wellness. Today at 51, I've never been as fit, full of energy, and mentally strong as I am today.

While my bank account might not be as big as that of some of my friends who have stayed in their finance careers, I've never regretted leaving my stressful career behind and finding a lifestyle that better balances my desire for intellectual stimulation (through angel investing and serving on corporate boards) and for wellness (through my yoga & wellness business).

I invite you to dedicate time to reflect on what you've learned about yourself during the past year. What do you want your life to look like going forward? Do you want to go back to how your life was pre-pandemic or do you want to make changes, small or big?

Only you have the power to change your life. What do you want it to look like? As Walt Disney famously said, "If you can dream it, you can do it."

It's time to make your dreams a reality, no matter your age. Don't wait for another year or for another pandemic to give you the push to go after your dreams!

Best,

Christine

P.S. If you want to start practicing yoga on a regular basis as part of your new wellness focus, I encourage you to join my slow-flow yoga classes on Sunday mornings. If you've never attended my slow-flow classes, I invite you to try a class for free. Simply enter the discount code TRYFREE when signing up. See you on the yoga mat!

P.P. S. If you enjoyed this article and want to get practical and actionable wellness tips and tools directly in your inbox every Saturday morning, I invite you to sign up for my wellness newsletter:

Wellness & Yoga with Christine

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