Designing Your New Normal

My article, Finding Your New Normal, provided a framework for thinking about what you can create during this time of change. This article shares thoughts on how you can take the next step and begin to actively design your new normal.

You Have Agency

Sure, a lot is out of your control right now with so many things changing in the world. However, this doesn’t take away your capacity to act independently or to make your own free choices. You can begin now, designing where you want your life to be in the new normal. The new normal is the emergence of conditions and circumstances as the changes the world is experiencing settle into our lives.

You have choice: let change take you for a ride without exercising your agency or take the reins and direct yourself towards a place you would like to go. Where would you like to be? Are there aspects of your life and work that have fallen away and will not return? Are there developments that have occurred that open doors to positive changes you want to make? Are there aspects of your life and work that are easier to let go of now?

Set Your Intentions

Even amidst uncertainty and the unknown, you can start now and set your intentions for the life you want to be living. Change loosens things up, providing opportunities for doing things you may not have been able to do before. Begin looking at what is out of balance in your life right now. (Be kind to yourself. The changes we are enduring are significant.) Identify what you need to bring your life and work into balance. You could need to get yourself in better physical shape, address emotions that are out of control, rethink your life and work in terms of your values (perhaps your values have changed), or reach a place of acceptance of the changes and challenges you have experienced.

Your intentions serve you by aligning your energy and actions in a specific direction. You could end up changing course, but if you do, you will have already covered some distance and built some momentum in designing your new normal.

Once you have set your intentions, create a plan to go forward. Set some goals, stay aware of the direction change is taking you and commit time each week to designing your new normal.

Make It Yours

An important factor in your fulfillment and happiness, is to let go of the “shoulds” that society or others may try to impose on you. You are charting this path; you do not have to follow a path dictated by others. You can do this, even though others may try to discourage you. Charting your own path does ask more of you — you have to consider realities, explore unknown elements and set accountability squarely on yourself.

Give your creativity and imagination free reign as you start out. You can get into specifics later. What do you dream of? What do you think would make you happy? Create periodic open space to think freely about your new normal. Putting boundaries on your thinking creates limitations. You have freedom, ability and unique talents to help you achieve what you set out to do.

If it helps, don’t share your plan with anyone at first. Share it once you feel that it is truly yours. Let its prospects excite and motivate you. With this behind you, you can present your plan with confidence and not be easily discouraged or confused by others.

Think Outside Your Comfort Zone

I strongly encourage you to step outside your comfort zone as you design your new normal. Many comfort zones have already been shattered by the changes the world is experiencing. That, in itself, propels you out of your comfort zone. You can’t go back to what was.

For being outside of your comfort zone, it is important that you create a support system to help you during challenging times. Think of what can support you physically, emotionally and mentally. Trusted friends and mentors? Things that build your confidence? Places of refuge when you need them? Faith or spiritual practice? Use your support system as often as you need to.

You Can Do This

The future is close to a blank slate. Don’t let the opportunity to design the life you want to live pass you by. You have what it takes. I can’t wait to see what you do!

©2021-2022, Ann E. Vanino.