That which no longer serves you

As I was thinking about welcoming in a New Year and symbolically a New Start, I framed my desires for 2017 around the question of "What is no longer serving me?" The answer that came to me as I meditated on it was that having a television with cable TV no longer was serving me. Once I fully let that sink in, and accepted what it meant to get rid of TV, I took the plunge and cancelled my Comcast TV account effective this Friday. Deep breath in…deep breath out. (Side note: I am, however, keeping my Netflix streaming plan for those dire moments when I just need some couch time and a favorite show, because I know my boundaries and that indeed show watching down time can be a good stress reliever).

Let me backtrack a bit and tell you why TV is no longer serving me. Those who know me well know I am a champion "hunkering in" person. I could win awards for the amount of time I spend alone, at home, and content to do so. I have created a number of rituals around being a "nester" that bring me comfort and help me to not feel lonely but rather as though I am "feeding my soul." Curling up on the couch, greyhound nearby, a good home cooked meal in front of me, and identifying a number of TV shows or movies I enjoy has been one of those rituals. However, as 2017 approached I realized I wanted to do things a little differently. Step outside the nest a little more. Push my boundaries, and live a little more. I realized that I won't meet new people sitting inside my quaint and cozy condo; that the only people I meet are characters on the big screen. That I won't see new art, or take in great theater, or take an evening walk enjoying the sunset, or even sit at a coffee shop with a book or a writing project and take in the energy of the people around me. 

My space, as well, is no longer serving my needs as I work at home and need ample creative space to make art, write, and work. Part of this reason is because my condo is very small and I don't have an extra bedroom to make into an office; but the other part is because an entire wall is dedicated to the TV. Getting rid of my TV will allow me to finally get the space balance I need in my condo to live, work, and entertain.

The question "What is no longer serving you?" isn't cut and dry. It isn't about "giving things up" necessarily; it is definitely not about bringing lack and scarcity into your life. It is about…

• What is keeping you from living the life you want to live? 
• What is keeping you from achieving the goals you have for yourself? 
• What are the roadblocks to your dreams/desires? 

Maybe you hit the snooze button many times in the morning, which makes you late getting off to work, so you can't get that workout in you want to do in order to get more fit. Hitting the snooze button no longer is serving you; but then maybe going bed so late or drinking coffee late into the afternoon is no longer serving you as well because it keeps you groggy and tired in the morning. The question "What is no longer serving you?" isn't about one thing that you need to stop in order to reach a goal; rather, it is a lifestyle question that helps you frame how you want to live your life and how to achieve your life's goals, hopes, and dreams.

As we inch our way through the first month of this year, take some time to reflect on what is no longer serving you. Ask yourself these questions:

1. What do I want more of in my life?
2. What is no longer serving me? What is getting in the way of what I want for my life?
3. How can I let go of what no longer serves me? How can I embrace the changes I want to make?
4. How can I live enough outside of my comfort zone that I will be more courageous, brave, and energized about life this time next year?

Even though the question "What is no longer serving you?" can lead to a positive lifestyle shift, baby steps are often how to get there. It doesn't have to be as big as getting rid of your TV; maybe it is as small as not hitting the snooze button…which may lead to your workout…which may give you more energy…which may make you excited to do it all again the next day. However what you decide to change looks, take note of the positive impacts it has on your life.