Getting your Spark Back …

Do you feel stuck in a rut?

If you’re a woman in your encore, this can happen easily. When you leave the 9-to-5 lifestyle, you lose a lot. One of those things is often drive or motivation. Rediscovering a zest for life can be transformative and change your world.

Let’s look at some practical strategies to help you reignite your passion. Dive into these insightful tips to reignite that inner spark and embrace a vibrant life again.

1. Take Up a Forgotten Hobby. A great way to break out of your rut is to engage in activities that motivate and energize you. Whatever happened to that old hobby you spent hours engrossed with? It may give you a sense of achievement and purpose when needed.
   
   
2. Bask in Sunlight. When we feel like our spark is lost, we often sit around and wallow. Fight this urge and get outside into the sun and nature. It cranks up your vitamin D level and boosts serotonin in your brain. Serotonin promotes peaceful, calm feelings. Your ability to focus improves, as do your energy levels.
   
   
3. Do Something Different. Dull routines can remove the spark from your life. So, do something different. Challenging yourself with new experiences wakes your senses and can stoke your inner fire. Bonus points if you try something outside of your comfort zone.
   
   
4. Have a Difficult Talk with Yourself. Sometimes, we’re our own worst enemies. Be honest with yourself and see if you can make changes that create better outcomes and promote positive emotions. If you find nothing you say is helping, it might be time to look at outside help. Coaching or therapy are both great options.
   
   
5. You Don’t Have to Do This Alone. Feeling alone is a big reason we lose our spark. When you’re feeling lonely – reach out to a loved one. If you don’t know what to say – offer them help. Helping others feels good. It can provide an energetic spark for everyone involved.
   
   
6. Make More Time for Self-Reflection. Dedicate quiet moments to introspection. By understanding what motivates and excites you, you can set meaningful goals and find purpose in daily activities. Revisiting past journal entries or writing down your feelings can offer clarity, guiding you toward reigniting your inner spark.
   
   
7. Prioritize Self-Care. Take care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Regular exercise, meditation, or even occasionally treating yourself to ice cream can help maintain a balance. Being sound of mind, body, and soul makes it easier to tap into your inner spark.
   
   
8. Seek Inspiration Everywhere. Beauty is everywhere. Incredible, amazing, inspiring life moments happen all the time, and they pass unnoticed if you focus on nothing but your challenges. Nature, art, literature, and even daily life events can be rich sources of inspiration. Take mindful walks, immerse yourself in a captivating book, or observe daily interactions. You’ll find motivation and ideas in unexpected places by being present and receptive.
   
   
9. Set Aside Creative Time. Carve out moments in your day solely for creative exploration. Whether it’s doodling, writing, playing an instrument, or crafting, these dedicated periods allow your mind to wander, fostering innovation. You can discover new passions and rekindle your inner spark by engaging in these activities without judgment.
   
   
   

You can probably come up with a few more ideas for yourself after reading these. Let me take it a step further and give you a couple of things you can do now to get yourself into action.

First, set a ten-minute timer and immerse yourself in any creative activity. Let your mind roam free. No judgments, just pure expression.

Second, choose a topic you know little to nothing about and spend 20 minutes researching it online (or in a library) or reading a related article. Embrace the novelty and joy of learning something new.

Finally, before bed, reflect on your day for a few moments. Identify one thing that inspired or intrigued you, whether small or unexpected. Write it down and keep adding to your list. You’ll be amazed at how that can get you looking forward to tomorrow.

Your encore should be the best time of your life. It’s full of freedom and opportunities. Don’t let the changes that come with this stage rob you of the joy of living.

P.S. Looking to really get yourself moving?

Think about Precision Coaching and work with a master coach to realign your life and rekindle your passions.

www.LauraHess.com/precision