Why Taking a Leap of Faith is Just What Your Subconscious Ordered

Living the life you want comes at a cost that isn’t always mentally affordable. The price, you ask?

• A giant leap of faith. Make that a few.
• Comfort zone demolishment
• Emotional investment

Yep, it’s a hefty amount and without an Afterpay option, it’s no surprise that we sometimes abandon our cart and run in the opposite direction.

Fortunately, the universe will generally send us a few abandoned cart emails to make us reconsider the life we constantly daydream about in a gracious attempt to motivate pursuit. Consider this one of them.

Taking a leap of faith isn’t easy. It can emotionally taxing and the mental hurdles that emerge can be incredibly daunting. The initial and arguably the most apprehensive obstacle is choosing to change.

That decision lies with you and only you. It’s more than saying yes. It’s about making an honest pledge to yourself to follow through in spite of the uncertainty that lies ahead. It’s about embracing the unknown and accepting the fact that change is a fundamental part of living out your biggest dreams.

The choice to change takes enormous courage, strength and perseverance. Unfortunately, it’s also typically met with resistance, fear, doubt and a whole gang of rude emotions you’d rather not feel. The silver lining? The more you conquer, the sweeter the satisfaction. 

Everyone’s got their own way of overcoming these barriers. Some of us search for emotional support and validation from those around us, some take a more logical approach and pose the “what’s the worst that could happen” question and some of us procrastinate, using the age old excuse of “no time.” We’ve all been guilty of the third at some point in our lives.

The thing is, if “no time” is the recurring issue, you’ve really got to reevaluate your priorities and decide if your desired lifestyle is worth the most precious commodity in modern society.

We’re not suggesting any radical approaches and we're certainly not drafting a step by step plan for fulfilling your lifelong dreams. That’s for you to work out. We’re simply providing you with a few well grounded tips to send you on your way.

Find your motivational cheer squad

When you surround yourself with people who are on the same page as you and with whom you share a connection, you’re able to openly discuss your goals, thoughts, ideas and concerns, without fear of judgment. These people can empathise with you, offer genuine support and be your motivational cheer squad along the way. When the going gets tough, these individuals will help keep you accountable. It’s all part of the unofficial job description.

Think bigger picture

Avoid fixating on the obstacles and barriers that lie before you. It will only distract you from the bigger picture. Take a step back and consider the bigger picture of what you're pursuing and more importantly why you're doing it. That “YES, I did it” moment of glory is only a tiny fraction of what you stand to gain.

Yes, the initial discomfort is unsettling but it’s got to be worth whatever it is that is occupying precious daydream space. Understanding the real reasons for your pursuit will help you achieve a deeper level of clarity that is sure to propel you forward and over those pesky hurdles. The next time you’re in doubt, rememberwhy you started. The why is a renewable energy source, one that will reignite your fire when all appears to be lost.

Be kind to yourself

The need to slow down has never been more important in a society of hustlers. Scheduling self-care rituals into your daily routine is the perfect opportunity to take a breath, check in with yourself and tune in to your emotions. It could be a short meditation, sweating it out at the gym or going for a long walk.

Just remember to listen to your body and respect that it’s not a machine. You won’t always feel amazing and that’s okay. Sometimes, putting your feet up and taking a day to unwind and recharge is the best thing you can do for yourself and those around you. 

Trust your instincts

Ah, the age old advice of trusting your gut emerges once again. It’s always worth giving your gut a seat at the decision-making table and listening to what it has to say. According to Melody Wilding, a licensed therapist and professor, trusting your gut is trusting the collection of all your subconscious experiences and is therefore a rather powerful source of wisdom you didn’t know you had.

With only a few weeks to go until we draw the curtain on 2017, it’s time to start reflecting on the past 365 days.

Did you spend the year in the way you had intended?

What events/situations/moments brought you the most joy?

What have you learned?

What’s one leap of faith you can take in 2018?