How to enjoy your ride on the hamster’s wheel

Are you constantly in a hurry with a long list of items to accomplish?

Do you feel like you’re always so busy that it’s almost impossible to find time to meet with your friends and family?

Does it look like you have a full life, but deep down you feel empty like you’re missing something?

Then this blog is written for you.

In this blog I will give you:

  • My story.
  • My awakening thanks to Carlos Castaneda.
  • The steps of my own transformation.
  • My suggestions on how to feel spectacular on your ride on the hamster’s wheel.

“Work, and then do it all over again in the opposite direction”

I know the feeling...when I was in my late twenties I was working for a financial company. It wasn’t really a job I loved, but I was quite successful at it. My commute was long, I had to leave the house at 7:15 in the morning. I would drive to the train station, ride the train to the city where I was working, take a bus, and then walk to the office. I would work a full day and then do it all over again in the opposite direction. Many days I had to run to the train station so I would get there in time to catch the train. I was at home by 8pm, exhausted and unhappy. My body was screaming at me that something was wrong, but I wouldn’t listen to its wisdom. I had a skin rash every night for more than six months.The many doctors I consulted all came to the same conclusion: stress. That didn’t surprise me.

I felt like I was on a hamster’s wheel, running all the time, but I was going nowhere.

What about you? Have you ever experienced something like that?

I thought it was normal to live like that

But I thought it was normal, so many people were living their lives exactly like me! And they weren’t complaining. From the outside I had everything. I had a good job, a great relationship, a house. I didn't dare to say it out loud, but deep down I knew I wanted something different. Something more.

My awakening: A man named Carlos Castaneda 

One day, a day that I now celebrate as the day of my awakening, something helped me radically change the way I approached life.

I remember it vividly. It was a pretty cold winter evening and I was sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket. I was reading a book by Carlos Castaneda titled “The teaching of Don Juan”.

I was almost halfway through the book when I stumbled across some words that had such an impact on my life that I want to share them with you.

“A path is only a path, and there is no affront, to oneself or to others, in dropping it if that is what your heart tells you... Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself alone, one question... Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn’t it is of no use.”

My answer to the question “Does this path have a heart?” was a loud and clear no! And I just couldn’t ignore it any longer! That evening something profound happened: I gave myself permission to listen to my inner wisdom.

The steps of my own transformation

This event has been the catalyst for my own transformation that led me to a new path that has a heart.

The first thing I found out was that I needed to slow down and when I did, something magical happened: I allowed myself to have more space to think about what was really important for me in my life and what my inner values were.

Then I figured out what was bringing me joy and I committed to checking in daily with myself to see if I was honoring my values, my needs, and if what I was doing brought me joy. I committed to listening to my inner wisdom and to dismissing the craziness and the distraction from my own mind.

Ultimately, I started to listen to my body-soul connection and I started enjoying my life again. What I understood was that I could find myself again on a hamster’s wheel, because who am I kidding, life is life. But if I consciously add meaning and joy to the things I am doing, it becomes a different wheel, the one where the hamster is actually having fun.

Make your ride on your own hamster’s wheel spectacular

I want you to experience the same freedom and joy I experience every day. So these are my suggestions for you if you feel trapped on the hamster’s wheel.

1

Figure out what your values are

This is the starting point to get to know yourself better. Understanding the things you value the most in life and then committing to live by these values every day will help you reach a deeper sense of fulfillment.

2

Do something creative every day

Engage in a creative pursuit will help you raise your overall sense of well-being. It doesn’t have to take a lot of your time. Even cooking a new recipe will do the trick!

3

Make a list of the rules you are following just because you are used to

Have an honest conversation with yourself and write down a list of rules that are no longer beneficial to you. Give yourself permission to write a new list with only rules that you are happy to follow. 

4

Commit to doing something that brings you joy every day

Always keep a virtual “Joy Compass” in your pocket. Get very familiar with the signs that your body and soul give you and come back to your center. If what you are doing is not bringing you joy, self adjust your route. Say “no” if you have to, have a self-care practice, spend time with people you love, take a walk by the sea, journal, dance… 

You can decide whether to make it a spectacular ride on the hamster’s wheel or not. It’s up to you.

Thanks to my awakening, I became a life coach and I found my mission: supporting women as they tune in with their own inner voice and realign with their deep desires so they can live life with passion, purpose, and meaning while they express their talents fully!

If you feel like you need some help in finding out your values or in creating your “Joy Compass,” schedule a complimentary get acquainted session with me using the link below. I would be honored to support you.

International Life and Health Coach
Founder, Owner
Whispering Out Loud LLC

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