5 ways to enjoy the journey now
We all have times where we hope to be further on in our story, or perhaps even on a new journey. How can we embrace where we are now without losing our pace?
Georges Antoni for Elle Australia’s November 2018 issue.
Hair: Daren Borthwick
Make-up: Linda Jefferyes
As women of bold endeavours, we often long for the future. We long to already be the person we are becoming, bold in her approach to life, and work hard to live out our dreams. It is a script we rehearse over and again with fervour.
We can fall prey to a notion that what separates our present reality from our preferred future is a single remarkable opportunity. However, it is often the incremental decisions, our ability to know when to say ‘yes’ and ‘no’, and a determined pursuit of our purpose that brings us to the place we had hoped to be. In favour of following our true north, whilst remaining fully present in the moment, here are five ways we can enjoy the journey we are on now:
1. Remember your why
In the busyness of showing up and living a lot of ordinary days, tasks which once had meaning can become relentless to-do lists. Remembering our why enables us to see every hour of our work as important, because it represents a significant chapter of our overarching narrative. Some days are simply mundane in the course of our journeys, but they are no less important.
When our purpose is at the forefront of our minds, we are positioned to thrive in some of the difficult seasons of life, even when thriving seems impossible.
2. Adopt a long-haul perspective
Many of our pains and losses in life are intensified when we cannot see our next step, like trying to walk in the dark without stumbling. It can feel paralysing when we cannot predict when there will be a change or an end to a particularly rough time. To enjoy the journey we are currently on rather than willing the flight to land so we can disembark, taking a long-haul perspective on our way can help.
When our present circumstance is not what we had hoped for, remembering that it is a chapter in a bigger story can help us to gain an understanding of where today fits in. Some seasons conflict with the trajectory we are on but eventually reveal their value when we look at them retrospectively. Take heart.
3. Practice gentleness
We are usually more adept at offering grace and kindness to others than we are to ourselves. Gentleness is not always heralded as worthy in our culture. Because we are ambitious, we have high expectations that our performance should match our vision, and this can wear on our soul over time. It is rare to be happy with where we are as we so often feel it is not where we should be.
We can show ourselves gentleness by practicing self-care, not only as a diary slot one day a week, but as a fundamental value. Exercising a gentle approach in our self-talk, caring for our bodies, and getting adequate sleep are simple things we can build as healthy rhythms, knowing that they serve to further our efforts, and not detract from them.
4. Approach today with thankfulness
Often forgotten in the grit of pursuing a dream is time to stop and be thankful. If we take a moment to reflect on our journey, we will realise that there are things we possess today that we longed for in times gone by. It is easy to become ungrateful and focus only on all the things which are yet to be.
Approaching this day with gratitude may be helped by writing down some things you have now which were ideas or hopes a few years ago. Sometimes, putting pen to paper and reflecting on our progress can be a restoring practice which refuels us to keep going.
5. Celebrate small wins
There is something to be said for small things. In the Bible, the writer of a book called Zechariah says, ‘Do not despise these small beginnings’ (Zechariah 4:10 NLT), encouraging the reader to see the power of not only the obvious victories, but those that may seem menial.
Celebrating a small win could be pausing to acknowledge a step or two forwards by sharing it with a friend, or by marking the occasion in a way that recognises it as significant. We can learn to thrive in the process of our adventure, ultimately adding growth and stature to who we are as individuals.
WORDS BY
Rachel Calland
