It can feel daunting. Change is, well, challenging.
Firstly it requires logistical and practical considerations for change-making. Our personal resources and time are demanded, and then we must make space, which can cost money, and time, or myriad other things.
Secondly, there is the implementation part of doing something new.
So once we've managed to make space, the only thing left is to 'do' the thing.
Which is not actually as simple as it sounds.
The very nature of starting an unfamiliar practice or creating a new habit means, by default, a degree of failure, if not complete breakdown in the beginning.
And this where we seem to have misunderstood the nature of 'practice'.
Practice is what we do, to experience a process again, and again.
Practice, the verb:
"perform (an activity) or exercise (a skill) repeatedly or regularly in order to improve or maintain one's proficiency."
OR
"carry our or perform (a particular activity, method, or custom) habitually or regularly."
Nowhere does it say 'to 'perfect' or 'master'.
I choose to adopt the second definition as I find it offers more joy and possibility. And those qualities align with my intention for my personal desires around habit and routine making.
When I see practice as an experiential action - that has no expected destination or outcome - the practice itself becomes easier, and the process more enjoyable.
When practice is simply a playful effort or attempt, the possibilities are infinite.
There is no set expectation on outcome.
It is then that practice becomes a way of being with, or in, the experience of your process. Whatever your process is.
Rather than a destination and result-driven pursuit: practice becomes an art of exploration, a commitment to trying.
This approach to practice gives space for what 'is'.
In this way, practice becomes a way of embracing and embodying imperfection.
So as you adopt or experiment with something new, can you embrace the true meaning of 'practice'?
Can you make space for the inevitable imperfection and uncertainty and failures and in doing so, give yourself limitless permission for so much more? ( I talk about the inevitability of change here...)
The more I rejected expectations and the classifying of my efforts as good/bad in my practice, the better the outcome.
Sure, I can still experience what can feel like a train wreck/mess of an attempt.
Now, however, I no longer care.
The perceived 'success' is not important because I've learned to welcome and accept fluctuations in my experience as a naturally occurring, human phenomena.
And that my dear ones is #liberatingAF.
(Not sure what I mean about the undeniable liberation of embracing your human-ness, read more on that here).
I'd love to hear if you feel inspired to adopt a permissive philosophy to your (imperfect) practice(s), and if you notice any changes along the way.
As it happens, we are experience change and challenge in epic proportions right now.
To be of the highest service and support you dear one, I've created two online events for exploring self-supporting practices, and process for grounding and finding the possibilities - joy, creativity or maybe something else entirely.
Click here - or on the images below.
Or perhaps you would like some support in re-imagining your life in this way. I'm available for free 40 mins chats and would love to hear from you!
online Women’s Circle
