Who Doesn’t Love A Charcuterie Board?
Recently I was asked, “What do you do that’s mindless? Like not learning or getting better.”
My initial response was laughter as I thought about how many times a day I pick up my phone to scroll social media and get lost in video after video of the latest dance challenge or become entranced by the dumpster fire that is each new season of ‘90 Day Fiance’ (Remember, we don’t judge here).
Once I got beyond the initial giggle, I was curious about WHY they asked the question and WHAT IT MEANT to them to be “mindless”.
Me: I will answer your questions, but first… What do you do that’s mindless, not learning or growing?
Them: I scroll social media. I just like being in my space with music. I walk around Target.
Me. How do you feel when scrolling? Or listening to music? Or strolling through Target?
Them: I feel relaxed.
Me: And relaxed means what?
Them: Relaxed means I’m not in a rush…I’m not thinking about anything that could cause worry. I’m just enjoying that space.
Me: Sounds like creating space for you to CONTINUE to “get better”. But what do I know?
Me: Growth feels un-fun to you right now. Learning and growing isn’t that to me. Opportunities to ground myself, whether alone or with people, is still growth and learning.
Them: I agree with your first statement.
Me: It’s your perception that there is “work” in it.
Them: Work in growth? Yes. Definitely.
Me: Do you realize that your charcuterie boards were learning and growing? Just like buying yourself flowers and having a space that feels clean and inviting? That’s ALL you growing. But it feels yummy so to consider that it’s part of this work seems a little impossible.
Them: I didn’t look at it that way but I see it now.
Years ago, when I decided to dig deep into my own personal growth, I told my Life Coach that it all felt like too much “work”.
There was so much to do. So much to learn. So much to unlearn. Getting from where I was to where I wanted to be felt nothing short of impossible.
And then she suggested that maybe, instead of calling it “work”, I call it something that felt more delightful, something that allowed for grace and ease.
Her words gave me permission to shift my perspective, to see the process in a way that felt less heavy and more possible. They gave me permission to create experiences that were both mindless and healing. And sometimes all we need is permission.
How we each experience life and growth varies, but it is when we give ourselves permission to embrace the process with a sense of ease that we are able to see through fresh eyes, reframing old stories from a place of understanding and creating new ones with a sense of excitement.
At the end of the day, I was not being asked about the television shows I watch, the dance challenges I get lost in or other ways I decompress from the day. I was being asked if it’s possible to find the balance between mindless strolls through the aisles of Target and deep exploration into how we think and feel.
The answer? Absolutely….one charcuterie board at a time.
If you are ready to have a conversation about what it looks like for YOU to embrace growth in new, fun and empowering ways, Let’s talk about it!
Schedule your complimentary chat with me TODAY!
