If you're reading this article, chances are you're feeling dissatisfied with life. You may not feel good about romantic/social relationships, feel burdened by your career or lack inspiration for anything. However, despite many attempts to improve life, every day you feel empty. What to do?
What are the common causes for a lifestyle change? According to Sean Grover, a psychotherapist and author with over 25 years of experience, three external stressful events trigger lifestyle changes: trauma (example: health crisis, accident), loss (death, end of a relationship), and hardship (layoff , debts).
According to him, the signs of the need for a lifestyle change include:
1. Your life lacks joy. The days are depressing. You feel stuck in the same routine; every moment feels the same and you have nothing to look forward to.
2. Chronic stress. Even simple tasks are a burden. Tasks like cleaning the house, shopping or visiting relatives can seem like big jobs to do.
3. Common disappointment. Everything, and everyone, lets you down. Even when you do your best to be friendly and upbeat, you feel let down.
You read the features above and thought, "Yeah, that's me." It is therefore time to analyze what changes should take place. You always have the power to make new choices.
Once you've identified that change is needed, don't take action right away—schedule a meeting with a therapist, coach, or counselor to explore new choices and spark ideas. Talk to your close friends. Start writing down new ideas.
The more conscious you are in this process, the more obvious the need for change. Setting personal goals such as following passions, trips, courses, sports activities, etc. it will also clarify the new lifestyle you want.
Psychiatrist Sean Grover also points out a simple question. Before you decide to make a lifestyle change, imagine yourself in the future and complete this sentence:
"Good thing that 20 years ago I decided to______."
The answer to this question may awaken a hidden desire for a whole new way of life.
Source: Psychology Today
