Aligning Your Life with What Truly Matters in the New Year

About four years ago, I found myself completely drained. I was juggling the intense demands of raising a young child while navigating a high-stress job during COVID. I had always been passionate about supporting women’s mental health, particularly through challenges like reproductive mental health, caregiver burnout, and major life transitions. Yet, the idea of starting my own private practice felt overwhelming. Despite my desire to work on the issues I cared deeply about, anxiety whispered doubts that made me hesitate.

As I wrestled with these fears, I noticed a pattern: the times when I felt most conflicted were when anxiety dictated my decisions. I had been so caught up in “playing it safe” and worrying about what others might think of me that I lost sight of what truly mattered: fostering meaningful connections, helping others, and creating a balanced, joyful life for my family.

Once I sat down and explored my core values, everything began to shift. Slowly, I started leaning into those values, which gave me the courage to take a leap and launch my own practice with one of my closest friends. It wasn’t an overnight transformation—it was the result of countless small decisions and intentional actions that gradually brought my life into alignment with what I truly cared about. Living a values-aligned life takes time, but each small step creates a foundation for meaningful change.

Today, I get to work with incredible women, helping them navigate mental health challenges with clarity and purpose—a career that feels deeply aligned with who I am. This realization not only transformed my life but also changed the way I work with clients. Many women I work with struggle with the same cycle I faced: letting anxiety and outside pressures steer the wheel, often at the expense of their true desires and needs.

Now, when anxiety arises (for both myself and my clients) I’ve learned how powerful it is to pause, breathe, and reflect on what truly matters. Reconnecting with my values has been a game-changer, offering a sense of grounding and empowerment that I strive to pass along to the women I work with.

Why Do Values Matter?

Values act as an invisible compass, guiding how we live, make decisions, and build relationships. When we honor our values, we tend to feel more authentic and fulfilled. However, when our actions conflict with our values, it often leads to dissatisfaction, burnout, or a nagging sense that something is missing.

Unlike goals, which are specific achievements (e.g., “get a promotion”), values are broader guiding principles (e.g., “growth,” “connection,” or “creativity”). While goals can be checked off a list, values are lifelong beacons that shape how we journey through life.

Signs You’re Out of Alignment with Your Values

If you feel:

• Unfulfilled despite success: You’ve achieved what you set out to, but it feels empty.

• Exhausted or burned out: You’re spending energy on things that don’t nourish your deeper needs.

• Strained in relationships: Misaligned values can create conflict or distance.

• Indecisive or overwhelmed: Without clear values, decisions can feel meaningless or even paralyzing.

If you are noticing any of these symptoms, it might be time to pause and reconnect with what truly matters to you.

How to Rediscover and Align with Your Values

1. Reflect on Defining Moments
   Look back on pivotal experiences in your life—both joyful and challenging. What made those moments meaningful? Often, your values are reflected in these memories.
   Example prompt: “Think of a time when you felt most alive. What values were you honoring?”

2. Identify Your Core Values
   Create a list of values (e.g., integrity, adventure, family, growth) and narrow it down to your top five. Ask yourself:

• What makes me feel authentic and grounded?

• What values do I want to model for those around me?

3. Assess Your Current Life
   For each core value, ask:

• Am I prioritizing this right now?

• What changes or boundaries would help me honor this value more fully?

4. Realign Through Intentional Action
   Realigning with your values often requires tough decisions, like reevaluating commitments, shifting your career path, or setting boundaries in relationships. While it may be challenging, it’s also deeply rewarding.

How A Women’s Values Workshop Can Help

This kind of values work can be hard to do on your own, which is why I created a Women’s Values Workshop. It’s designed to help women reconnect with their values in a supportive, judgment-free environment.

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At the workshop, participants will:

• Reflect deeply on what matters most to them.

• Identify core values they want to prioritize moving forward.

• Learn practical strategies for integrating values into daily life.

• End with a Yoga Nidra session, a deeply restorative practice designed to help integrate the insights and reflections from the workshop.

This workshop isn’t just about self-reflection; it’s also about connection. You’ll join other women on similar journeys in a safe and supportive environment, exchanging support, insights, and inspiration as you work together to create lives rooted in authenticity and purpose.

Workshop Details

• Date: January 25, 2025

• Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Location: Hooray Art Studios, Alexandria, VA

If you’re ready to step back from the demands of daily life and reconnect with what matters most, this workshop is for you. Register here.

Living a values-aligned life isn’t about perfection, it’s about growth. By reflecting on your values and making intentional choices, you can create a life that feels authentic, fulfilling, and true to who you are. Whether you’re navigating big transitions or simply feeling stuck, taking the time to reconnect with your values can be a powerful first step toward a life you love. Consider this as a gift to yourself - a gift of time, connection, nourishment, and introspection. You deserve it!

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