What does 'Life Changing' really mean?
The term ‘Life Changing’ has become a bit of a buzzword in the world of personal development. It's often used to describe various experiences from self help books and courses to coaching sessions and transformative retreats and events. Yet this phrase is often overused and its depth and true meaning tend to get lost in its over use.
So I want to delve into it’s true meaning and give you real life examples of what changing your life actually looks and feels like.
Changing my beliefs
One of the most profound ways that mindfulness has changed my life, is that it led me to find my sister. At 42 I finally felt emotionally ready to look for my half sister. I’d never met her but I knew about her since I was 16. There was so much emotional restriction with this story and I realised I was making a lot of assumptions about other peoples reactions around it. These were keeping my stuck and scared of looking for her. So, I took charge of this situation and decided I didn’t want this to be our story. So I started to bring awareness to all of those blocks, and I started tackling them one by one. I created some mindfulness practices that helped me to let go of old beliefs that I had been holding on to that simply weren’t true. I knew my intention to find my sister was coming from a place of love, so this also helped me to take the leap forward and hire a private investigator to find her.
This positive shift in my belief system illustrates the profound impact that self compassion and eliminating those stories we tell ourselves has on our lives. Many of us tend to assume we know what someone else is thinking or feeling, or that we can’t behave in a certain way because we ‘know’ what the knock on effect of that will be. When we’re kinder to ourselves, acknowledge that thoughts are not facts we can build a more positive and fulfilling life by breaking free of those limiting beliefs.
This is my amazing sister! We met a few years ago and I just love her. What an amazing gift to come out of personal development work. I’m so grateful.
My wonderful Sister
Being Less Judgmental
I used to be quick to judge people, their words, their actions, and their life choices. I thought there was a clear right and wrong way to live. But as I started practicing mindfulness it opened my eyes to the complexity of life. I realised we all have our unique reality shaped by our backgrounds and experiences. This ability to be more empathic has been life changing for me. I'm much more open hearted and less judgmental now, both toward others and myself. It feels so much better to be kind and forgiving. And I can feel the difference it makes in my body too. It’s less tense and more light. It’s just a happier place to be.
Being less judgmental is not just about how we relate to others, it's also about how we relate to ourselves. When we free ourselves from the constraints of rigid judgments, we create space for growth and self-acceptance. The practice of mindfulness is a powerful tool in achieving this transformation, helping us become more compassionate and understanding of others. And this has a ripple effect too. When we change our behaviour to someone, they also change their behaviour towards us.
Strengthening the connection between my mind and body
Strengthening my mind/ body connection and practicing mindful movement has deepened my love and respect for my own body. I used to be pretty disconnected with my body, I couldn’t really sense its messages and understand what some of the physical sensations meant. But over time and practice I can now detect subtle sensations and I can hear my body when it tells me something - like when it needs rest, have a healthy meal, more water, to stretch or run, or to be alone. I also love my body in a way I never have before. As a women growing up surrounded by media telling me what I should look like, I've had a lot of critical thoughts about how I looked over the decades. But these criticisms have softened now and I make time to appreciate my body. All of it. This has been life changing for me because I now take care of my body on another level which has made me healthier, less tired and appreciate the amazing capabilities it has!
Strengthening the mind-body connection is a journey toward self awareness and self care. Our bodies constantly communicate with us, sending signals about our physical and emotional needs. Yet, in the hustle and bustle of daily life, we often ignore these signals. When we embark on the path of mindful movement and attentive self care, we not only enhance our physical wellbeing but also develop a profound appreciation for the incredible vessel that carries us through life. Plus mindful eating gives us a deeper experience of our food too. It’s amazing what slowing down and paying attention to what you’re eating does to the taste and whole experience.
Looking after my body
Increasing my awareness of my surroundings
One of the benefits of increasing my awareness is that I just notice a lot more of what's around me. When I'm walking somewhere, I now hear the birds in the trees, or I notice how beautiful the clouds look, or I make eye contact with someone walking past me and smile and feel a warmth in my stomach, or I might smell freshly baked bread wafting out of a bakery. All these things make up a rich environment that makes me really appreciate being alive and the opportunities I have in life. This is truly life changing because it makes me feel more connected to myself and to my environment, and life itself. We’re here on earth for such a short time, I want to soak as much of it in as possible.
Enhanced awareness of our surroundings is like uncovering a hidden treasure in everyday life. It's a reminder there’s beauty and wonder all around us, even in the most ordinary moments. We just have to notice it. This heightened awareness not only brings a sense of gratitude but also connects us to the present moment. It reminds us that life is a collection of these small, beautiful experiences, and by being fully present for them, we can savour the richness of life itself.
Transforming my perspective
I used to get really annoyed when my husband didn't do the things I asked him to do. It felt like he just didn't care, and it would frustrate me no end. Not putting things away, not being proactive with cleaning or cooking, or being more romantic. I felt so disappointed when my expectations of him weren’t met.
So I began to look at things differently. I started to understand that we have different priorities and ways of approaching life. What mattered to me didn’t to him. So it’s not that he doesn't care, it just means we're different. This shift in my thinking has been life changing because I now don’t let every little thing bother me, and I've dropped a lot of my unrealistic expectations. There’s not a lot more peace at home, and I have the space to appreciate his qualities now rather than just focusing on the negative. And this shift has actually created space for him to be more romantic.
This transformation of perspective is a testament to the power of recognising and challenging our own assumptions and beliefs. It's not always easy to let go of deeply ingrained thought patterns, it can feel like our identity, but when we do find the courage to try something else, it can open up a world of understanding and compassion. We start to see that people have their unique ways of navigating life, and this diversity can enrich our relationships rather than cause frustration.
My lovely husband
Small shifts that have a big impact
These experiences from my life that I’ve shared with you give you a glimpse into the transformative power of mindfulness coaching. They show how small shifts in perspective, behaviour, and mindset can lead to profound improvements in the quality of our lives. We can improve our lives one moment at a time with increased awareness and effort to try something new.
One of the reasons I love mindfulness coaching so much (and why I became a mindfulness coach) is that this work supports individuals precisely where they need it most. It recognises the individuality of each person's journey and equips them with the evidence based tools to overcome challenges, build positivity, and deepen their self awareness. This empowers people to have a deeper connection to themselves and the world around them.
In a fast changing world, mindfulness coaching guides us toward a more mindful, compassionate and fulfilling life. It reminds us that life changing moments are not limited to the extraordinary, they can be found in the everyday experiences that shape our personal growth and authentic living.
SO How do we make these life changes?
In a world that demands constant adaptation to uncertainty, mindfulness coaching stands as a powerful ally, helping us embark on a path of personal growth, resilience, and authentic living.
It’s a unique blend of two disciplines that supports people exactly where they need it in their life at that moment in time. Because this approach is so agile, people receive a really tailored plan. Each client has different practices that reflect what they want to change or what they need right now. And this is the most effective structure and approach to help people have the experience of life they truly want.
Click here to watch one of my dear clients, Wayne, talk about how this work has changed his life.
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Kate Greenslade is a BAMBA registered mindfulness teacher and ICF accredited ACC life coach. Find out more about how you can work with her here.
