How to Figure Out What to do With the Rest of Your Life

“What if I don’t know what to do with the rest of my life?”

“What if I can’t find my passion or my purpose?”

If you’ve voiced (or quietly felt) big concerns like these…..you’re not alone!

It’s a theme that pops up among Red Shoe readers, coaching clients, friends, women entering life 2.0 all the time.

A lot of us struggle with these questions because as capable, strong, confident women we think we have to have it all figured out….in advance.

(take a deep breath)

Well, guess what fellow super women we’re not-supposed-to-have-it-all-figured-out.

It’s meant to be a journey.

(exhale) whew.

Think back to all the life transitions you’ve been through. There were times you didn’t have clarity.  But it unfolded in natural order.  It always does. AND when you were able to really relax and release the hold on controlling the outcome you were often taken to a place even greater than what you’d imagined. Right? Funny how that works!

The passage to Life 2.0 is no different than the others but it can feel……mighty uncomfortable.

Everything feels like it’s shifting.

Roles that have given familiarity and security to your life such as mother, wife, daughter, professional, career person, care giver may have changed.

There’s so many unknowns…you don’t know what you want, you don’t know what your passion is, you don’t know what direction to go in next. Quite frankly you haven’t thought about your own hopes and dreams in such a long time it’s easy to see why the questions are so darn big right now.

So the question becomes how to figure it all out, feel empowered and enjoy the journey to knowing.

Here’s 4 easy tips you can apply immediately to feel positive and optimistic.

GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO NOT KNOW WHAT’S NEXT

Give yourself a permission slip, a free cared or lean in as they say. It feels awkward but you won’t fall.  Know that each step you take will reveal the next one. You don’t have to find your purpose……..it’s going to find You.

ENTER THE SPONGE PHASE

What you’re meant to do here is simply soak it all in like a sponge. Journeys are about learning as you go and making surprising discoveries.

SEEK ALL THAT IS NEW TO YOU

This is the time to seek new things, try new things, allow new information to settle in and expand your view of the world. Read new books, go to seminars, take classes, listen to podcasts, watch videos and TED talks…take baby steps out of your comfort zone. Stick a big toe in the waters on the other side. The more things you try, the more opportunities you’ll have to find clarity and discover passion and joy.

TRUST

You will find your passion. You will know what to do with the rest of your life…all you have to do right now is keep showing up…every day.

ACTION STEP: Make it your mission to do at least one new thing a day. Create a 30 Day calendar and record all activities. Relax into the SPONGE PHASE it’s meant to be FUN! Reflect on what you’ve learned and discovered at the end of 30 Days. Begin a new SPONGE PHASE or start delving more into something that touched your soul.

Journey on Sisters!

Cheryl x

PS Know other seekers? Please feel free to share.