Change your scenery, Change your life

It's time for a change of scenery

...in more ways than one!

Now that it's February and we've started the new year (it feels like it now, doesn't it?!), where do you need a change of scenery? Where do you need to look at things differently - or just look at something different?

You might think I'm going down the path of changing your location with this idea, but I'm not (at least not yet!). Although, if you can, I'm a fan.

Last week one of my dear friends, Angie, and I were having breakfast and got into a deep discussion about how much a change of scenery can impact your life.  In this case, we were talking about the change of scenery offered by a different job.

Angie and I have known each other for many years, most of which included us working at the same company in various forms.  Now that we both no longer work at that company, we can truly appreciate the change of scenery a new job provides. We can see how we put up with things that were not in our best interest. And, we can see how much we are valued by others.

For Angie and I, and many other caring, hardworking, dedicated women that I know, it is easy to slip into a place where your work and the relationships and hierarchy within it can begin to define who you are.

It happens slowly. It isn't any one thing. It is all the things.

It's almost insidious. It slowly creeps in until you find yourself in a situation where it's your performance review again and you don't quite get the raise/promotion/rating you were expecting, where you find yourself hoping for a severance package when things get tight, or where you feel like more days than not are an absolute slog. It's time to change your scenery.

Maybe it's not your job that is making you feel that way, maybe it's your life, or your office, or that one area of your house or your habits you wish wasn't so boring.  It's time to change your scenery.

This is my attempt to change my office scenery this week by bringing in more light in any way, in my morning.  I added a new light and a plant to bring some life to this corner previously stacked with books.

Fortunately, it's getting lighter every day
... in several different ways.

Sometimes it really is that simple.

Adding a plant. Changing the paint color on the wall. Going for a walk. Drinking a green juice.

Sometimes it is not that simple.

Changing jobs. Beginning to network. Saving money. Taking a class. Planning ahead.

I wonder...
Where do you need a change of scenery?

That might be a big question or a small question for you today. Either way, what is one tiny step you could take TODAY to make that change?

If it's time to find a new job ... locate your old resume.
If your office is a mess ... clean off your desktop.
If your room is a bummer ... spend 15 minutes looking a wall colors online.

A change of scenery, no matter how small, is good for our mental health, improves our brain for problem-solving, and provides perspective and inspiration.

If you're stuck on where to start, comment and let me know -- I'm happy to help spark something new for you! And, please share what tiny step you're going to take with me -- I'm always inspired by you!

Here's to changing things up!