Beth Backes

Sometimes we forget that the things we do on a daily basis are really cool. We just think “meh, that’s what I’m supposed to do”. But is it? You have really cool skills that not everyone has, and it’s time you acknowledge that!

Let’s do more of noticing the things we do that come naturally to us. This week, I want you to write down 5 things you notice yourself doing that feel easy to you and you find yourself enjoying. Those things are special to you and your personality. It’s all YOU!

Then let your confidence shine each time you’re doing those things. Whether you’re great at organizing, are stellar with numbers and creating a household spreadsheet would rock your world, like planning themed meals, or maybe you can read fast and fly through a book in one sitting. Whatever it is, love it, enjoy it, and add your own flair to it.

“Take time to actually be present and enjoy the things you are good at and others will begin to notice your confidence too.”

— Beth Backes, Mindfulness Coach

Now go listen to the podcast, because I am honored to share this confidence booster meditation with you. I believe in you, and believe in the positive vibes that have brought us together.

7. Celebrate Yourself – Mindful Actions

I’m curious about if/how you identify the mindset, intentions, and actions that encompass your daily routines.

When journaling, I write out my plan every day. I start and end every day the same. It’s my routine, it’s my ritual. It’s how I treat my body and mind, so yeah, it’s kinda important to me… If you’re into the whole commitment to yourself kind of thing and all. I’m guessing you probably are if you’re reading this.

I came to the conclusion the other day while writing out my schedule that “day prep” and “chill” don’t really fit those time slots anymore. Those are terms I first started using when I was learning my routine and figuring out my brain space. But now that those habits are engrained in me, I feel like they deserve a more worthy label that fits my vision and goal for the way I spend that part of my day. That’s 2 hours of my life every single day that I’m living with intention. Why wouldn’t I give it a name that felt special to me?

It took me a little while to figure out what fit there. I went through a lot of terminology for what I do during that time. Meditation, journal, gratitude, workout, mindfulness, affirmations, yoga, reading, hydrate, coffee time. But all of those are a single action, none of them holistically covered my intentions.

Then one night while practicing rhyming words with my 4 year old, I figured it out…

In Mind | Unwind

It’s simple, reminds me of my intentions, and encompasses everything I set out to accomplish. In the morning I’m getting in my head, in my mind, waking up and focusing on goals, stretching, movement, and preparing myself for the day. I’m prepping to be in my mind. Then in the evening I’m reflecting through gratitude and meditation to relax and prepare myself for a peaceful sleep (hence where the “chill” term originally came from).

I now get to write these bookend phrases on my schedule every single day and it puts a smile on my face knowing I go full-circle with intention. Intention that I created through my own personal wants, needs, and routine. Wakeup and get in my mind zone, then relax and unwind before bed. AM Mind | PM Unwind. Easy to write, easy to remember. {praise hands emoji}

Reflect on the routines, rituals, and things that are important to you. Besides the commitment, how do you honor their significance in your life?

I saw a post recently that said something along the lines of: stop paying for classes that claim to have the answer to help you find your purpose. You will find it on your own through experiences and being mindful and intentional about everything you do.

Wow, that hit me like a load of bricks. Not because it was a tough gut-check to hear, but because of the raw truth behind it. The truth that I came to realize recently as well.

I found my purpose, well… what I know right now to be my purpose, because I started a blog many years ago. It was a failed blog. That blog most definitely was not my purpose. It was based around a topic I enjoyed, but it wasn’t what I was meant to write about. It wasn’t about the things that cause the light within me to shine bright, but it was the start of something bigger. When I started that blog, I worked my butt off learning the in’s and out’s of blogging, bought the domain, set up my site, took the workshops, figured out how to monetize the site (before I had anything to sell, because #goals). Through what I initially thought was my passion, I built a solid foundation to grow through. Once I did actually figure “it” out, I was ready to hit the ground running.

This time, I didn’t need to waste time figuring out all the logistics. I already knew what I was doing, and that’s how I knew I’d found my purpose. It all just flowed together perfectly. No questions, no doubts, just clarity. All those things I’d worked so hard on before, and felt like a failure at, were really just leading me to where I was meant to be today. Just like the setbacks and failures I have today are setting me up for something else unknown in the future. It’s a never-ending cycle.

To be clear, though, by no means am I done searching for my purpose. I’ve only barely scratched the surface, and only just begun to align my life with what I know deep down is where I’m meant to be. I am so grateful for that failed blog. I am so grateful to past Beth for working hard and pushing towards something that didn’t feel quite right at the time, but felt it was worth something in the long run.

So don’t put pressure on yourself to find your purpose before you’re ready. It will find you through subtle ways you’re living your life. The fact that you want to find “it” is the first step in opening yourself up to the possibilities. Start by acknowledging how you’ve live your life so far, and acknowledge the moments that stand out as something you’ve enjoyed, or something you’ve wanted. Those could be the very first signs of your true path dimly showing its light. But, truthfully, only time will tell.

Be patient. Stop searching, and start living.