Values > Everything Else

“You get to remake your life from the inside out.” - Shauna Niequist

Every time I watch an episode of Oprah’s SuperSoul Sunday series, I feel beyond inspired. Andddd, when I saw her interview with Present Over Perfect author Shauna Niequist pop up in my feed, I was again left with all of the thought provoking feels.

During this interview Shauna shares insights from her latest read, detailing the contrast of what she would describe as valuing most in her life (i.e. family, health) and what she found herself living by day-to-day. She also touches on the moment she realized she needed to make a change and how her life has forever been changed for the better.

>>W-O-W 🙌<<

In sum, Shauna perfectly articulates the inner conflict where I think many of us come to a crossroads: what we think* others expect of us and what puts that which we care about most at the forefront.

Recently deciding to make a change according to what I value most myself, I also found that her tone and personal experience provided a much-needed confidence boost that what you feel deep down in your gut deserves action. For example, family, a healthy marriage and being a present, supportive spouse, friends, health, passion, etc. all come first for me. Anything that I didn’t feel in my gut was enabling me to put these values in the front seat needed to be adjusted.

And let me tell you, there has been nothing more freeing than having the courage to lead with this values first attitude. To be 100% candid, even just last week I found myself shedding a few tears of happiness and relief due to feeling so much lighter and whole since taking self-imposed pressure off the table, embracing what my heart and soul was telling me.

As scary as it is, I can’t express how important taking a moment to listen to yourself, heart, soul, gut, and all has been. What matters most to you, and are the various aspects of your life supporting what rises to the surface? There is no bigger payout than stepping outside the comfort zone of what you know to uncover alignment with the values that you hold closest.

That said, it feels only fitting to close with one of my favorite sound bites from this interview: Shauna’s take on what freedom means in relation to our own lives, “…. having authority over your own choices – to get to live according to your values, not the pressures and expectations that other people have for you.”

Happy hump day listening, folks - soak in the good vibes 💋