Do Something That Sets Your Soul on Fire

When’s the last time you did something for the first time? Better yet, when’t the last time you did something completely and utterly for you?

About three weeks ago I asked myself those questions. The sad part is, I couldn’t even recall when the last time was I did something that set my soul on fire; something that truly made me feel alive.

I’m not talking about taking yourself to get your nails done, or going shopping for some new things. I’m talking about doing something out of the ordinary. Something that really shakes you awake, gives new meaning to your life, and really sets your soul on fire.

Let me back up just a little bit. I am a follow your heart kind of girl. Chase your dreams and nothing can stop you kind of girl. But I didn’t always possess the qualities that it takes to be brave and just go for it.

It took me years of overcoming struggle and adversity, self-limiting beliefs, and growing through circumstances out of my control in my youth, to become the way I am today.  I didn’t come from a stable home, I never had a dad, and we were poor. Depending on what way you look at the cards I was dealt, they could define me and my future or they could be the stepping stones that I’ve turned into the path I walk today as a strong, independent, courageous soul.

“It’s all about perspective.”

Maybe you were dealt similar cards. Maybe you’re reading this and feeling stuck where you are or not sure how to overcome the fear holding you back from truly living your life. Don’t worry, you are not alone.

I don’t just believe that we all are capable to pursue our passions and live a full life, I know it to be true. I am living proof of that, but you have to believe in yourself before you can ever take the first step, or your fear will always get in your way.

“Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets.  So, love the people who treat you right, and forget about the ones who don’t.  And believe that everything happens for a reason…  if you get a chance, take it; if it changes your life, let it.  No one ever said it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.”

As a result of my past, I had become a work-a-holic. Is that a thing? Because I’m pretty sure you would find my face next to that word in the dictionary.  Funny thing is, I thought I was doing the right thing for my life. I thought that I was paving the way for a good future. Until one day someone asked me what I like to do for fun? You know what? I didn’t have an answer. Both things that came to mind, photography and hair, were my jobs. Don’t get me wrong, it is a good thing to do something you love for a job, but it is sad when that is all that comes to mind when you think of what you like to do for fun.  Then the question that came next was what do you want to be remembered for when you die. I know I’m going deep here, but it has to be said. I needed to be asked those questions. That was a defining moment for me in my life.

I kept thinking about that question…I kept thinking about what I wanted my dash mark to truly mean when I died. It wasn’t an easy change my friends. When you have done something for years, making change is hard. But I knew I had to change my work habits, or this would be my life. That didn’t mean I couldn’t love and serve my clients just the same; it meant I needed to learn how to say no to accepting new clients and I needed to take better care of myself, by allowing myself downtime to have fun.

You heard me. I needed to give myself permission to have fun, to live. Whelp. Reading those words still shakes me. I had to figure out how to find balance and what fun really meant to me on this new path I had made. It took time to change my ways. I felt selfish telling people no and saying yes to myself. I took road trips, I went kayaking for the first time, I spent days alone at the beach, I actually read fiction books. And it was so nice.

Don’t get me wrong, I still maintained 32-40 hours a week at the salon, but I cut back from the 55+ hours I was working before. I scheduled in more me time. I started designing a life I loved. I had to choose me first. It was hard in the beginning, and I still struggle with it sometimes today, but taking time to fill up your cup, so you can feel alive and so you can be the best version of yourself, is not a bad thing. You have permission to care for you. You have permission to live this life fully. You only need to decide to do it.

So, are you ready to get out of your own way? To escape the ordinary? Well no no good story ever started with I can’t or but. You have to decide what you want out of this one life you are given.

What it is that you truly want? What makes you feel alive?
For me, it’s getting lost in a new place, that is where I seem to always feel alive and filled up. For me, it’s escaping the day to day, and going on a long drive, a hike in the mountains, or just being alone in nature. This is what does it for me. Sometimes it’s simply driving with my windows down, a good song on the radio and the wind blowing through my fingers as I sing along to all the words I know by heart.

I encourage you to take time, in this busy world spinning around us. Take time to find something, and do something that really sets your soul on fire. You get this one life. Make that dash mark mean something.

-Andrea Linn