I’ve been thinking a lot about what happens when we actually give ourselves permission to step away from the routines that keep us comfortable. Right now, I’m on the road with my dogs and a van that’s more functional than fancy, and I’m calling this time my adult gap year (or period, lol). I may not have everything figured out, but I’m seeing what comes up when I put myself in new places and give myself space to grow. A “gap” experience is all about having the courage to NOT KNOW what’s next. And for making space for what nourishes you.
You know, it’s funny what you start to think about when you finally peel yourself away from the day-to-day grind. Mostly, it’s just about giving myself space to breathe and seeing what bubbles up when I’m not constantly busy. I think this is why shaking up routine matters.
I’d love for you to join me on this Wise Walk to explore that very feeling. We’ll explore the magic that happens when you shake things up, how to tune into those little sparks that give you life, and why it’s more than okay to not have the next step all figured out. It seems like the best moments happen when we finally switch off autopilot and just let ourselves be.
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- Outside of becoming homeless, what are the ways you can change things up or bring in some gap year elements so you can immerse yourself in new experiences and perspectives?
- Where in your life can you shake things up to gain a new experience and increase self-awareness?
- What’s a routine that has been working for you, but you’re curious if there’s another avenue worth exploring?
- Are you willing to step outside of that norm or structure you created to gain different perspectives, new real-world experiences, and then decide if you want to continue, enhance, or change before committing to a new path?
- Are there areas in your life that you cherish but want to approach differently, especially with self-care practices you haven’t been consistent with?
- How can you set yourself up to release what’s holding you back and take yourself on a new exploration to try things differently?
- What is it you want to do with your time, what really matters to you, and are you willing to commit to making space for that?
- Where can you carve out alone time so you can hear your own voice and emotions above everyone else’s?
- What do you want to do with the information that surfaces when you slow down and listen to yourself?
- Where in your life can you be open to receiving messages and self-awareness that are already inside of you?
- How does it feel to imagine yourself excited about what might surface?
I’m really excited to pour my energy into the self-care practices and creative outlets that feel aligned right now, and to see what comes to life for me. And I’m so grateful that you’re here, walking this journey with me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I can’t wait for next Thursday’s Wise Walk. In the meantime, I’d love to hear your thoughts, ideas, or feedback from today’s conversation. Don’t forget to prioritize fun as you read the signs, direct your path, and get your Stride On!
In this episode:
[03:04] I realized that I had gotten into routines and habits that felt like I was on autopilot. When you’re in these routines it’s more difficult to gain new perspectives and experiences.
[04:09] When things are too consistent, I don’t feel like I’m growing and expanding as much as I could. During this gap period I’m disconnecting from what I’ve known for a long time.
[05:29] The beauty of this period of newness is that we don’t know what we don’t know.
[06:39] I’m excited about bringing some of my favorite self-care routines on this trip.
[08:56] My van is functional with bins and bags of beautiful self-care items. I got very clear on what I’m going to make space for in the van.
[10:48] The biggest thing I’m making space for is my dogs. Nourishment is another big thing. Plus my self care items, and I’m holding space for my creativity.
[12:17] Podcast equipment is coming, so you get to hear all about my new adventures. These Wise Walks and you, my listeners, are so important to me!
[13:30] I also want to see what surfaces in this gap experience.
[15:17] Sometimes we can’t hear our own thoughts, if we have too many things and too many well-intentioned people influencing us.
[17:24] I’m excited to invest time and energy in the nourishment and the self-care practices that feel aligned for me. And to hold space and invest in my own creativity and those outlets and see what comes to life.
Memorable Quotes:
- “I am someone who appreciates change because it helps me shift out of that autopilot mode and it makes me go on Wise Walks with myself.” – Mary Tess
- “Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is say, I don’t know what’s next, and be okay with it.” – Mary Tess
- “When you quiet the outside voices, your own wisdom gets louder.” – Mary Tess
Links and Resources:
Mary Tess Rooney
Email
Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram
Heart Value
EP254: Let the Feelings Flow & Let Go
Sometimes things don’t go as expected. Yet, there are unexpected surprises that give us more than we imagine. This episode talks about celebrating the surprises of life.
I’m feeling extremely energized and happy this week. Why? It’s my birthday week! Yes, I completed another trip around the sun. I find myself in this new year where I get to carve out another chapter of my story. It makes me reflect on how far I came and how far I can go.
I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP101’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. I am literally the definition of a surprise. In this episode, I share my birth story with you and how I completely surprised my parents. It’s a story my mom tells me every year during my birthday. It already holds a special meaning for me, and I felt it’s a lesson on embracing change (outside of being hilarious).
On our Wise Walk, I talk about dreams, intentions, and the chance to craft a new narrative. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:
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- Where in your life are you allowing for surprises to come in?
- Are you taking the time to celebrate them?
- When you think of your past, where has your life taken a detour and that detour worked out better than expected?
- As you think about your future, where can you release the expectation around how it comes to life?
There is this cosmic unknown that is influencing our paths in life. We can embrace changes as they come our way, making the most out of each moment. Embracing the moment puts us back in our power.
You have to be willing to open up to the possibilities. Don’t get too attached to the “how.” Let the universe support you. Allow the future to fluidly unfold with these Wise Walk questions:
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- Where in your life are you allowing growth and expansion to occur?
- Where are you releasing expectations and openly inviting love and new experiences into your life?
- Where have you honed in on some expectations that are potentially limiting?
- Can you release the limiting expectations?
Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other.
In this episode:
[00:23] – Welcome to the show!
[01:33] – Mary Tess shares why her birth was a surprise for her parents.
[03:38] – Celebrate the surprises in life.
[05:54] – You never know where life will take you.
[08:34] – Mary Tess shares a love story that surprises her. What shocked her?
[11:20] – Be open to receive good in your life.
[13:17] – Allow the future to fluidly unfold.
[15:36] – Thank you for listening!
Memorable Quotes:
- “I am taking my life chapter by chapter. And each year I’m gifted is another year I get to write the story of my dreams.” – Mary Tess
Links and Resources:
Mary Tess Rooney
Email
Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram
Heart Value
The daily ability to self-reflect and apply what you learn or discover to your everyday life is sexy. No doubt about it. You take time to self-reflect every week with the True Stride podcast, so YOU are sexy. This episode celebrates your sexy self-reflection.
I had a chat with a friend who met a new dude and, from what I heard, it’s going well so far. When I asked what had her so jazzed about the guy she’s seeing, my friend said she likes that he’s really good at self-reflection. She thinks it’s sexy. He’s honoring who he is and presenting himself in a way that others can get to know who he is. Honestly, it’s understandable that self-reflection and self-awareness are attractive traits.
I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP94’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. Let’s evaluate how sexy we are for taking time to self-reflect and look at what that does for us as individuals and what that does for people around us. What we say “yes” and “no” to creates space for opportunities to align with the activities, people, and experiences we want.
On our Wise Walk, I explore how self-reflection allows you to key-in on who you are and who you want to be. I also talk about how it helps you share that connection to yourself with others. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:
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- Do you currently take time to celebrate and honor the sexy self-reflection in you?
- How often in your life are you self-reflecting?
- Are you training your self-reflection muscle so it becomes a natural reflex?
- If you are using it regularly, how has self-reflection changed your life and your connections with others?
- Where in your life are you noticing those opportunities that you’re saying “heck yes,” or those opportunities where you’re hesitant?
- In those hesitant moments, can you give yourself the opportunity to say “no”, to make room for more “heck yes“ moments?
- With each day, can you take time to self-reflect on how experiences make you feel?
- When you feel off, can you say “no” to bring yourself back into alignment, and say “yes” to opportunities that attract more of what you want?
You are unique. We’re all unique, and we all need different things at different times. Self-reflection helps you stand in your truth so that you’re following the path that is best for you.
The time you take to be with yourself will nourish your True Stride. Celebrate and appreciate who you are and who you are becoming with these Wise Walk questions:
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- Where are you self-reflecting and listening to your body?
- Where do you notice that you need some time to recover or heal?
- How often in your life are you taking time to honor your body’s messages to yourself?
- Are you self-reflecting on the messages your body sends, and are you taking action on those messages?
- How are you adopting the cues you get from self-reflection about showing up for yourself?
- When you are asked a question, will you give yourself the space in that moment to see where your answers lead you?
- Will you see an opportunity to create an intimate connection with the person asking you the question?
- Can we vulnerably share the origins of our behaviors and beliefs so that someone else can know us on a deeper level?
Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other.
In this episode:
[00:23] – Welcome to the show!
[02:33] – Mary Tess talks about being connected to who you are and what you want in life.
[05:16] – Mary Tess looks at the flip side of our reaction to what gives us energy and what doesn’t.
[07:55] – Sleep is so healing and nourishing.
[10:17] – Our body gives us clues of what we need.
[11:44] – Mary Tess reflects on this particular habit she does when she goes out to eat with friends. PART 1
[14:08] – Mary Tess reflects on this particular habit she does when she goes out to eat with friends. PART 2
[17:19] – Self-reflect to give gratitude.
[19:40] – Celebrate and appreciate who you are and who you are becoming.
[21:20] – What do you need more of?
[23:00] – Thank you for listening!
Memorable Quotes:
- “If I know what I want and what I don’t want, and if I can communicate that clearly to myself and those around me, I’m going to keep attracting those people and activities that do light me up.” – Mary Tess
- “We have the opportunity to stand in our truth, to become more of who we are and who we’re meant to be, and to let other people see us shine that light on ourselves and the direction we want to go.” – Mary Tess
Links and Resources:
Mary Tess Rooney
Email
Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram
Heart Value
