By LAURA LEONARD
Doctor of Chiropractic
Los Alamos
Being human means managing life transitions. Some of these experiences are exciting and some are traumatic. Either way, both create stress and uncertainty. Having your first child, becoming an empty nester, applying for college, leaving for college, marriage, moving, losing a spouse to illness, divorce, retirement; force us to transition in big and often mentally difficult ways.
All of these life transitions have one thing in common … a change in personal identity. Adapting to new roles with less discomfort requires having some tools in your mental toolbox. Focusing on the past, is uncomfortable because we can’t go back. Focusing on the present is constructive and allows us to create our desired future. Life wheels are a simple transformational tool to help us navigate life’s inevitable transitions.
Life Circle tools can be general or specific and can be used to create our desired future. As we transition through life, this tool will help us settle into our new identity with less discomfort. The possibilities are endless, and circles can be modified as you go along. If deep introspection through journaling or the creativity of vision boarding are not your thing, life circles just might be the right tool for you. Be ready for the waves, rogue or expected because that is the nature of life.
Life Wheels are a simple transformational tool to help navigate life’s inevitable transitions. Courtesy image
Instructions:
Add, change or remove sections of the wheel to fit your stage of life.
Write down up to 10 bullet points in each piece of the pie. This will include the things you have as well as the things you want.
Prioritize each section of the pie, numbering the categories. Your number one choice will be an area where you have more wants. Areas that are fulfilled will go lower on the list.
Create separate circles for your top 1-3 priority areas. Each piece of the new circle/circles should include titles that match your wants. For example, if health is your number one priority, your health specific life wheel might include: diet, exercise, stress reduction and mental state (gratitude, optimism, resilience etc…)
“It’s not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” –Charles Darwin
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” –Socrates
Dr. Leonard’s practice focuses on posture and performance using a combination of soft tissue release, adjustments and exercise recommendations. She also coaches patients on nutrition, self-care and body awareness so they can manage themselves in between visits. Los Alamos Chiropractic Center is in the Mary Deal Building on Trinity Drive.
