How to Create Lasting Change in Your Life

Are you happy with your lifestyle right now?

Maybe you feel stuck, or you don’t feel like yourself anymore.

You’re not alone.

Not only that, but it is possible to create lasting change. How can you change your personal life? Let me show you.

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How to Create Lasting Change In Your Life

Creating lasting change happens one step at a time.

It starts with getting clear on your values and priorities, then setting goals centered around those things. From there we establish routines to build habits that create lasting change.

I’ve proved this process true in every area of my life with the help of some invaluable resources. Before we get into those, I want to take a moment to share what I mean by creating lasting change.

The Meaning of Lasting Change

It’s important to note that you cannot force yourself to change, nor does change happen overnight. In order for change to happen and to last, it should come from the inside. That comes with reflection, self awareness, and mindfulness.

This means we have to consider how we got where we are and take responsibility for our part in that. It also means facing fears, overcoming limiting beliefs or self doubt, and knowing your worth.

As you start to peel back the layers, or what I call digging your way out of the burial ground of trauma, stress, and overwhelm, your “want to” will grow. In other words, your current circumstances or way of life won’t feel right anymore, kind of like when you’re wearing ill fitting clothes. It’s that desire that will embolden you to seek help, resources and accountability.

How Long Does it Take to Make Lasting Change?

Change takes time. Fortunately, change that comes from within tends to be genuine and therefore lasting. That doesn’t mean you won’t stumble or fall or always feel happy. It does mean you’ll recognize those old behavior patterns a lot sooner, and you’ll have to the tools and know how to redirect.

In my own journey to create personal change, I’ve observed an interesting pattern: When our internal world changes, it is reflected externally. And vice versa. This process isn’t linear. Sometimes change happens physically first, then spiritually. Other times, we have a spiritual awakening, then set out to align our physical world.

With that in mind, the resources I’m sharing with you address us as a whole person: mentally/emotionally, spiritually and physically.

Resources to Change Your Life for Good

Home Life

If you want to drastically change your life, start at home.

There’s so much I could say about the effects our home life has on our well-being and success in life, but I’ll let you read about that in my favorite resource for creating a home and life you love.

Home on Purpose: Mindful Living in a Hectic World– I might be biased, but I think this is one of the best books on organizing your home. I poured myself and everything I know into this book in hopes of giving you a simple-to-follow path filled with encouragement, resources and tips. The things I share in this book made my life better and happier, and I want that for you, too.

But, as readers have said, it’s not just a book full of tips. It is also filled with heartwarming stories that will have you laughing, crying and saying “me too!”

Chaos to Calm: A DIY Guide to Organize Common Clutter Zones for Good – I created this course as a response to the most common clutter zones in our homes; the ones that tend to cause stress, overwhelm and chaos. When you’re finished with this course, you’ll experience the calm and simplicity you crave.

Time Management Resources

How we spend our time is how we spend our days and ultimately our lives. The following resources will help you become more intentional with your time.

Power Sheets from the Cultivate What Matters Shop – I fell in love with this planner the moment it entered my life. Laura, the creator of Power Sheets, weaves a garden analogy throughout the pages of this planner to help you “cultivate what matters” and live with purpose. It’s a really effective tool, making it hands down one of my favorite planners.

Bullet Journaling – This is the method I currently use for life and goal planning. I love it because it’s so easy to personalize. Grab your favorite notebook to get started. My favorite notebook is the Leuchtturm1917 Medium A5 Ruled Hardcover Notebook. It typically lasts a few months. I tend to buy a new color for each quarter/season. I’ve used the Make It Happen journal from the Cultivate Shop, and a Moleskine journal.

Resources for Your Health and Wellness Goals

These three resources are my secrets to having a healthy mind and happy life.  

Physical Health

Eat Move Live 52 – I fell in love with this couple within seconds of watching the first video in their course, The Real Food Reset. Since then, I’ve become a big fan and follower of everything they offer: 

• Eat Well Move Well Live Well – This is a great book with a well-balanced approach to healthy living. You’ll want to keep it handy as a guide to wellness. The authors of this book have become dear friends and mentors to me. In fact, there probably isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t think of the example they set and try to follow it in some way. My life is so much better for it! 

• The Real Food Reset – After getting rid of foods I’m sensitive to, I knew the next step in my wellness journey was eating healthier food. So, I participated in The Real Food Reset with Roland and Galina in January 2017. It’s 30 days of real food to kickstart your weight loss and curb your cravings. I recommend it to anyone trying to break sugar addictions and eat healthier.

• Every Body Moves – Another great resource by the Denzels. If you suffer from chronic pain or aren’t mobile enough to exercise, this course will help you start moving again. After just a few minutes (that’s all you need) my body feels so much better. I’m always so amazed at how such basic movements can have such a great impact on my body. 

Mental & Emotional Health

Yoga – Yoga has become my favorite form of exercise and served as my introduction into mindful living and the mind-body connection. Our bodies are amazing creations! My favorite yoga teachers are:

• Adrienne of Yoga with Adrienne – she is an excellent teacher and is perfect for beginners. Her classes are free on YouTube. If you’re new to yoga, I recommend starting with her foundations of yoga playlist.
• SaraBethYoga – Sarabeth is another excellent teacher who is easy to follow along with. I love her soothing, calming voice. You can start with her free beginner challenge or follow her on her YouTube channel.
• Sandra Razieli – You can find Sandra at RaziYoga on Youtube or raziyoga.com where she offers live and on demand online classes.

GYPO (Get Your Pretty On) Style Challenges– I’ve been participating since the Summer 2017 challenge and haven’t missed one since. I finally have a wardrobe I love to wear. My outfits help me exude confidence, and I feel pretty. I recommend starting with the Closet Staples Closet Wardrobe Builder or the current season’s Style Challenge.

Journaling – Journaling is a tried and true method for making positive changes in your life. I use my bullet journal to process thoughts and emotions, think through decisions, and gain clarity on goals. There’s not right or wrong way to journal. Just start writing and see what happens. I believe you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much lighter and happier you feel.

Spiritual Life Books

All the voices on faith, religion and spirituality are downright overwhelming and can be very confusing. I’ve struggled my entire life to make sense of it all; to reconcile Christianity with my inner convictions and work out my salvation.

These two books cleared up a whole lot for me and started me on a journey that has improved my spiritual life like nothing else. 

Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by Henri Nouwen – Henri is the most gracious teacher I’ve ever read. I found his writing so soothing; like a kind gentleman sharing his years of wisdom and perspective. It was so wise and so profound, I had to read it slowly and take time to ponder, reread and really let truth seep into my searching soul.

If you could use a little spiritual uplifting, then treat yourself to this book. It will change the way you live your life. 

Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff – The title says it all. Bob put to words what I’d long felt in my spirit; Christianity is so much simpler, and kinder, than we make it. And Bob’s stories are so inspiring and encouraging. They will make you see the world, and the way we live in it, in a whole new light. Reading this book is like taking a deep breath of fresh air.

I hope these resources help you find the joy and happiness you deserve as you create lasting change in your life.

For more tips to change your life, read:

• How to Start Practicing Self-Care Everyday
• 9 Personal Goal Setting Tips for Busy Women
• A Self-Discovery Journey: The Long Way Home

 Wishing you a life you love!