Why a life review is so important

Hey there,

How are you doing?

This article is based on what a lot of my anxious clients go through.

Clients probably just like you that get things done. Clients that have amazing jobs in great companies or clients that have their own businesses, and clients that feel they have achieved what they always wanted to achieve.

And then the day comes where they second-guess everything. Thoughts like "I'm not sure if I could do more. Or something else". Thoughts like, "I can't do this anymore". And then they beat themselves up for having those thoughts. Clever as they are they try out all sorts of stuff, from mind-calming meditation to essential oils or even medication and nothing works.

Sleep deteriorates. Worries continue. Their concentration is just not what it used to be. Panic sets in. Racing heartbeats. You catastrophize.

If this is you, I want you to STOP right here.

See, so many people - myself included some time ago - just do their work. They do life. They function. As they thought they like and as it may be expected. Not just from others, but also from themselves.

And there's nothing bad doing this. We don't want to question our life or what we do every single day. That would drive us a bit crazy, wouldn't it??

BUT - and here's the big BUT - this is not how things work on the long run. Or how life works.

Just because what worked when you are 20, 25 or 30 does not mean that the same things are what you want when you are 35, 40 or 50.

Life changes, circumstances change, preferences change. Focus changes. And most importantly, YOU change.

So here's what I recommend: Have a life review in regular intervals so that you ensure that you are living life in a way that you like. Not according to what others expect from you. I'd recommend doing this ideally once a year.

And here's what a life review means:

1. Think about what you want in your life. Personally and professionally. It can be things, feelings, relationships etc. - pretty much anything that comes to your mind. I want you to come up with 25 things.

1. Then put those 25 things in order. Start with the most important 5 things. Then add another 5.
2. After that, I want you to look at your list and see where your life is currently at. Look for disconnects. So for example, if having a specific relationship or hobby is very important for you but you don't have any of them, I want you to ask yourself why. Why it seems very important and why you don't have it.
3. And lastly, I want you to come up with a plan for the first 3 things that you really want but currently don't have.

See, when you do this exercise, you will notice a few things:

• You may find it hard to come up with 25 things.
• You may get a few "ohhhh" moments, when you notice that the life you are currently living is not really the life you want to live.
• You may notice when you come up with a plan that small changes can make a big difference.

Reviewing your in regular intervals will make sure that you don't forget yourself along the way and that you lead your life in a way you want to lead it, so that anxiety does not even have a chance to get in.