- End of Year Reflections
- My 5 Rulers of Life
- Your Turn: Look for an exercise within each ruler
Reminder....I’ve been sharing the road to $50k MRR in 6 months with Level Up Creators.
Today we are in the home stretch.
So, did we do it?
Did we get me to $50k MRR?
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♟️ MY TURN:
It’s the last month of the year.
A month I reserve for slowing down and reflecting....
for ritual and celebration.
In a recent journaling session I started to ask myself:
“How do I know if I’m living the life I want to be living?”
So I jotted down a list of things that signal to me I’m on the right track and wanted to share them with you.
I've summarized these thoughts into 5 Rulers of Life to ensure I’m living the life I want in the long run, not just the short run.
My 5 Rulers of Life
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Ruler #1: Micro Joys
Joy and happiness are not the same thing to me. Happiness is a long term, macro emotion and perception. You can be upset in a day but happy with your life.
Micro joy, on the other hand, is about finding the beauty in a day.
I know my life is on the right track when I can spot and appreciate micro joys despite the chaos of the day.
That first sip of coffee? Joy.
The ability to speak to people all around the world with a click of a button? Joy.
Watching my son twirl his hair when he gets sleepy? Joy.
The nightly search for my daughter’s blankie that seems to magically disappear? Joy.
When I stop seeing, acknowledging and pausing to appreciate these micro-joys throughout my day - I know my life is getting off track.
Your turn: Name 3 micro joys from your day today.
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Ruler #2: Emotional Elasticity
As someone who has gone through infertility, divorce, single parenting and a lot of other tough times, I can confidently say: life is full of curveballs.
My second ruler for if my life is on the track I want it to be is what I call “emotional elasticity”.
In economics price elasticity is the measure of how much the quantity demanded of a product changes when its price changes.
- If demand is elastic, a small change in price will result in a large change in the quantity demanded. This typically happens with non-essential or easily substitutable goods.
- If demand is inelastic, even large changes in price have little impact on the quantity demanded, often seen in essential or unique goods.
When shit hits the fan in my life, I want to remain as centered as possible.
I want my emotional reaction to be appropriate for the situation.
Tip: if your emotional reactions are quite elastic (small changes in your day create large changes in your emotions) then this is a sign to check in with what emotions are piling on together.
It may actually be unresolved anger, resentment, anxiety, fear, etc from a younger version of yourself.
Your turn: Think about the last emotional swing you had. Ask yourself - how much of it was honestly due to the present moment?
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Ruler #3: The F word
Life can really life sometimes. We keep on the hamster wheel of wake up - work - family - bed.
And as you become an adult, time with your friends (partner included) can turn into a series of to-do lists, challenges and trauma unpacking.
But then I watch my kids.
Their time with their friends is chock full of laughter.
What is it about adult responsibility that adds a weighted blanket of seriousness to our lives?
I want my life to be full of laughter and smiles.
To be full of fun.
If I can’t recall the last time I laughed hard with a friend or partner, then it’s a sign we need to break out of our rhythm and allow ourselves the freedom to laugh until we cry.
Your turn: When was the last time you laughed hard with a friend or partner?
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Ruler #4: Tired Puppy
When we first got a puppy, a trainer said “don’t forget, a good puppy is a tired puppy”. If the puppy was tearing up the couch or biting a lot, then it’s a sign they need more exercise.
If I can’t focus during the day or fall asleep at night, it’s usually a sign I didn’t move my body enough.
It’s the ruler I use most often.
Feeling super unfocused? Walk 15k steps and see how you feel.
Feeling super agitated? Lift a lot of heavy things and see how you feel.
Unable to slow your brain down at night? Wake up early and go for a run. Watch how quickly you fall asleep the next night.
Your turn: Where has movement been prioritized and how do you feel it’s impacting your energy, mood and ability to focus?
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Ruler #5: The Hug Test
So many studies show the power of a hug.
Long hugs can have several positive biological effects due to the release of certain hormones and the activation of calming pathways in the body.
Things like:
- Oxytocin Release
- Reduced Cortisol Levels
- Lower Heart Rate and Blood Pressure
- Endorphin Release
- Increased Serotonin and Dopamine Levels
I know my life is off track when I rush a hug from a loved one. It means I’ve built a life where urgent, unimportant tasks are distracting me from meaningful connection to the people I love.
Your turn: I challenge you to hug someone you love today and see if you are able to sit in it for a moment. Allow yourself to really feel it.
I hope these Rulers help you go deeper in your end of year reflections.
Let me know which one resonates!
XO
Amanda
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