The Journey Inward: How My Year-Long Challenge Changed My Life
By: Michele Consoni
With a new year upon us, it is easy to imagine all of the ways we can start fresh. But what if, instead of resolutions, we could use this coming year as an opportunity to GET TO KNOW OURSELVES BETTER? This reframe makes all the difference.
One of our recent Kula grads reflects upon a year of growth and self-discovery.
Two years ago, I decided to embark upon a journey inward by creating a monthly challenge for myself for the course of the year. With each intention, whether the task was large or small, I used these prompts as an opportunity to get closer to myself. I could hardly anticipate that this was the beginning of a self-discovery journey that would lead me to profound opportunities and forge a completely different path in my life.
As I share the details of my monthly challenges, I hope this will spark curiosity and inspiration for ways you can more deeply connect with yourself.
JANUARY - PURIFYING THE BODY
I chose to practice Dry January, which meant no booze. Beginning the year this way helped me focus on what mattered most to me. I learned I do not need alcohol to enjoy life and I began to feel much better. I found that not having an emotional or physical hangover the next day gives me such peace of mind that I now no longer feel the desire to drink. You might choose to cut back on sugar, alcohol, or social media (try Telegram instead!). Or another great option is “Juicy January,” choosing practices that are nourishing and sustaining to your soul, mind, and body.
FEBRUARY - MOVE MY BODY EVERY DAY
In February, I signed up for a challenge to walk 10,000 steps-a-day for a charity with my work colleagues. Well, as you can imagine, 10,000 steps a day during lock down was tough! This challenge made me go out for a daily walk, which was hard at times. It was only toward the end that I really started appreciating it. I began observing nature with different eyes. Once I let myself surrender to it, it was pure magic. Instead of thinking of it as a mere task, I truly began to enjoy being present and moving my body. Whether taking on a steps challenge, deepening your yoga practice, or pursuing some other health goal, moving our bodies can help us feel better physically, emotionally, and mentally.
MARCH - WATER INTAKE
In March, I decided to focus on my water intake by drinking 2 liters of water each day. Our bodies are made up of water - it is literally the source of our lives. Water is nourishing and gives us the vitality for what really matters. Another challenging task (that involved so many trips to the toilet!), this one was truly worth it as I learned to care for my physical being. Finding ways to increase water intake can be as simple as buying a larger water bottle or downloading a free app on your phone to support your journey.
APRIL - READING
In April, I read a few pages of a book every day. Taking one step at a time helped me develop a new practice. I have read so many books since this challenge. Some of them have led me to see things in a new perspective. Many were transformative and life changing. I always have something lined up to read nowadays. It’s great to start with books that speak to your interests and desires so that you’ll feel inspired to read. It’s also helpful to keep one in your bag or your car so that you have something other than your phone to look at when you find yourself with some free moments.
MAY - MINDFULNESS & MEDITATION
The first book I selected for the previous challenge led me into mindfulness and meditation. I decided to meditate for thirty minutes every day throughout May. Fitting this in my routine meant I had to get up extra early, but it paid off! This inspired me to introduce Wellness sessions at work several months later. Being consistent in this practice connected me to my greater purpose in life. I have since left my office job, but I still guide these sessions once a week. Like other challenges, a meditatation practice can start small. Even beginning to bring awareness to your breath for five minutes a day can be a life-changing experience.
JUNE - ART
In June, I chose to focus on drawing. By keeping myself accountable to draw something every day, I started noticing how this task would get me into a more focused state of mind. The practice became so therapeutic to me. It was also amazing watching myself getting better the more I did it. As in anything in life, practice is key! Art opens up the doors of creativity so the intuitive mind can play.
JULY - MINDFULNESS WITH FOOD
In July, I chose to focus on mindfulness with my food by chewing it well. It was interesting to find myself sometimes getting through an entire meal before remembering my task. I have learned much from this challenge, and it became a way of caring for my body and my mind. It gave me a greater appreciation for my food when I could be present with the process. A year later I found myself in Plum Village Monastery in France practicing mindful eating in silence. I have no doubt this challenge prepared me for that. Another way to practice mindfulness with food is to savor each bite, noticing the colors, textures, smells, and flavors.
AUGUST - MUSIC
In August, I bought myself a ukulele and trained ten to thirty minutes a day throughout this month. I followed an amazing 30-day course from YouTube and can now play a few songs. I also learned some beautiful mantras during my Kula yoga teacher training in Peru this past year. This challenge kept me centered during a very trying period. At the time I was working through some health issues, and focusing on something else for at least ten minutes a day was instrumental for my recovery. Like art, music is a pathway to our intuitive selves. It creates spaciousness and joy within and can be the foundation of a transformational practice.
SEPTEMBER - PERSONAL SOUND PRACTICE
In September, I committed to playing my singing bowl for at least five minutes a day. Wow, what a beautiful experience to use a singing bowl to be in the present moment! Since then I have been building a collection of instruments and guiding sound journeys. I have added a rainstick, ocean drum, chimes, a drum, a gong, bells, and rattles to assist in my practice. It is wonderful to observe people as they rest immersed in sound, giving themselves a chance for their bodies to rest and their minds to be still. It means so much that a practice that has helped me is now helping others. If learning more about holding space through sound healing speaks to you, you may also consider Kula’s 100 hr Sound Ceremony Training in Guatemala.
OCTOBER - JOURNALING
In October, my friends presented me with a beautiful notebook that prompt me to write things I was grateful for, get inspiration from, things that make me laugh, and whatever else came to me. It was so nice to get thoughts out of my mind and onto paper. This is something I still do occasionally. Journaling does not need to be time-consuming or even that profound. Even writing daily “morning pages” can clear the mind and set you up for a better day.
NOVEMBER - POSTURE
In November, I decided to focus on my posture. I would roll my shoulders up and down and open my chest when I found myself curving down. I would make a conscious choice to look at my phone or read at shoulder’s height. This was a great training for the biceps too. It has been amazing to watch how the physical influences the subtle body. With my chest more open in my physical body I started observing how I was more open and aware of things happening in the present moment. In yoga, we attend to our posture as well and learn how to lead with our hearts.
DECEMBER - LEARN SOMETHING NEW ABOUT MY YOGA PRACTICE EVERY DAY
By December, I had completed my 200 hour yoga teacher training and decided to spend more time going deeper into my practice. By learning something new each day, I was able to sustain all that I had experienced in training. It also brought me closer to my sister who completed her YTT in Australia. It has been such a joy to share my learnings and to grow with her even with the distance between us. We will always have more to learn about yoga, and by making study a practice, we can stay connected to its life-changing elements and grow closer to those we love.
WHAT IS CALLING YOU?
Looking back, I can see how that year of self-discovery led me on a journey around the world and brought me to where I am now on my path. If you are feeling called to connect with yourself on a deeper level, perhaps you might find some inspiration in some of these ideas. Whether you commit to a month or a year, 5 minutes a day or 30, the decision to move forward, is itself transformational. Maybe there’s something you have always wanted to do or learn, but you have never taken the time to do it. Maybe it is a new healthy habit that would help you better honor your mind, body, and spirit. Whether large or small, I invite you to see what you can discover.
HOW DO I BEGIN?
Start by setting yourself a time a day and make sure you do it every day. That is all it takes! I am not saying that it will be easy. The first few days, maybe even the first several weeks, may be tough. Keep going and with consistency, you might be surprised to find out that something that feels so hard at the beginning can actually become very enjoyable. Once you let go of the idea of it being another task to do and instead spend quality time doing it, things take a shift. Let the challenges be less about doing them perfectly but more about creating the space to get to know yourself better. You may even find that they lead you down an entirely new path on your journey.
Remember that you don’t have to do it alone. In August, I found myself in Peru at a 300-Hour Shamanic Awakening Yoga Teacher Training with Kula Collective. Having the support of my peers was priceless. I know the self-discovery I encountered during my year-long challenge played a role in leading me to this experience, and learning in community helped support my continued growth. During the training, I journeyed to a depth within that I am still reflecting upon. I look forward to sharing more about my experience very soon.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT GOING DEEPER IN YOUR JOURNEY TOWARDS SELF?
Learn more about our upcoming 200 hr Yoga Teacher Trainings, or our 300 hr Yoga Teacher Trainings.
About Michele:
Michele found yoga over 10 years ago but only recently decided to go deeper into this practice by completing her first yoga teacher training in 2021. Finding a passion for teaching has led her on a new path in her life. In August, Michele completed 300hr Shamanic Awakening Yoga Teacher Training with Kula Collective in Peru. Michele is a passionate yoga practitioner and dedicated teacher who loves sharing the beauty of yoga, often combined with sound, to students of all ages and abilities.