Hey Reader,

These past few weeks have felt like my energy and creativity have been shot. And truly, not in a completely bad way, either. I feel like during the past few weeks, I have been trying to figure out what I want this next stage of my life to feel and look like on a daily basis.

Lately, it feels like my life (and me, as a byproduct) has been changing a lot. And even though the changes are not completely outward, they are more present for me than ever.

You see, change (even when it's great change) is freaking scary.

And even though I'm completely excited for the changes that I know are coming to my life (and the ones that are already here), I'm also completely terrified by the uncertainty and the newness of it all.

My career, my purpose, my routines and habits, and even my identity, all seem to be shifting right now, and I'm not yet sure where they are going.

So, to be completely transparent, I'm simply scared of what the changes coming might mean to my life.

And at the same time, I'm completely excited to experience a new chapter in my life (even when I don't know what that chapter will look like yet).

That's why today I wanted to talk to you about the duality, and let's be honest, the completely contradictory nature of change.

When we feel stuck in our lives, bored, or in the "same old, same old", we crave change. We want something (or someone) to come and change our lives.

But often, when that change arrives, the discomfort and the uncertainty that come with that newness are not fun.

And something that has helped me better deal with change is getting really honest about the regrets associated with the change.

To do this, I use Sahil Bloom's 80-10 Test, which is a mental decision-making framework that helps you make decisions that both your 80-year-old and 10-year-old self would be proud of.

When you feel overwhelmed with the uncertainty of change and what to do next, ask yourself: "What will both my 80-year-old self and my 10-year-old self be proud of in this change/decision?"

Getting into the mindset of your 80-year-old self allows you to prioritize the long-term effects of the actions you take today. Getting into the mindset of your 10-year-old self reminds you to have a little more fun along the way.

Both allow you to create a fulfilling and joy-filled life. Even when it's scary to confront the changes in it.

And really, just learn to be more optimistic (versus being realistic) in the face of change.

• What are the changes you're experiencing and that are coming to bring the best experiences of your life?
• What if it is even better than you expected?
• What if you allow yourself the space to thrive in that new stage of your life?

Optimists see the open doors. And if not, they kick down the few closed doors along their way.

A reminder that attitude and perspective do change your experience of the changes in your life.

Two ingredients for a better life

A lot of the life we experience comes down to two things:

• The story you're constantly telling yourself about what has happened to you before and what you're capable of achieving next.
• And the places where you're directing your attention and focus on a consistent basis.

Is the conversation you have with yourself in your head each day helping you move forward and encouraging you? Or is it constantly putting you down and holding you back?

Are you directing your attention and energy towards the things that truly matter to you? Or are you letting the things that fall in your lap control where your focus goes?

Improving the quality of your inner monologue and where you place your attention daily has the power to change your life.

On the "woo-woo" of manifestation

I have been thinking about manifestation lately.

And not only that, I have been listening to it and deep into learning more about the energetics of manifesting new things into your life.

I'm currently doing the TBM "Be Seen" Challenge, and it's all about expanding what you think is possible for you (kind of like "seeing is believing"), unblocking the limiting beliefs and the programming you already have about why something is not possible for you (here, there is a lot of journaling and meditations involved), and then about taking aligned action (big or small) with the things you want to manifest and bring to life into your life.

What I like about their method and their concept is that change doesn't start just by knowing and being aware of what is holding you back, nor is it just about doing, and doing, and doing, and never taking a moment to stop and notice our beliefs and patterns and the things we even believe are a possibility in our lives.

That's why when people talk about manifestation as just "woo-woo", I think they don't fully understand there are whole scientific facts that support the theory of manifesting new things in our lives.

So, whether you believe in manifestation or you're sceptic to the term, I want you to still give this simple process a chance:

• Expand your worldview: Find the people, places, things, experiences, stories, books, movies, that expand your view of what is possible in life and that inspire you because they make you believe you could also start creating that reality in your life.
• Unblock your beliefs: Notice the stories you're consistently telling yourself about what is not possible in your life or not possible for you and who you are. I call these your "Never Beliefs". The things you're constantly telling yourself and others that you "could never do" or "would never do", and really investigate them and get curious about them. Ask yourself, "Why?" and "Why not?"
• Then, take aligned action: What are the smallest actions you could start taking today, this week, to get closer to those people and stories that inspire you and make you believe that you're capable of more? What small, micro actions would make you change your mind about those things that you say now that you could never do?

Sometimes, manifesting a new reality starts when we simply believe that that reality is a possibility for us. And then, acting in a way that is aligned with that belief.

What I'm watching lately

• Last week, I binge-watched Outlast The Jungle on Netflix. I recently watched the final two episodes, and I absolutely loved that two women won the show. If you like games and survival shows, I totally recommend you give this one a try. (I also started watching the original Outlast Alaska and didn't enjoy it as much as the Jungle version).
• The Rafa documentary, followed by the Carlos Alcaraz: My Way documentary. Watching the differences between both tennis players' career paths and personalities made me think about how there's definitely not one way to have success and accomplish big things in life. Worth a watch, especially if you're into sports and tennis.
• I also watched the true-crime documentary Maternal Instinct recently, and disturbing doesn't start to describe it. It tells the true story of a Texas woman who faked a pregnancy for over 10 months and then murdered one of her friends expecting a baby to steal her unborn child. It was honestly one of the worst crimes I have seen in a while.

What about you? What have you been watching lately? I would love to know your recommendations. Reply here and let me know what you're loving!

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