Why You Must Be Yourself When You Edit Your Life

My favorite type of people are the ones who are constantly improving themselves.

Self-development is an essential part of life editing. You must always be looking for new ways to grow and learn.

I freely admit that I’m a conference junkie. I absolutely love getting away from home and my mundane responsibilities to spend a few days indulging in self-care with like-minded women.

Most years, I’m fortunate enough to attend 2-3 events, retreats, workshops, etc. in hopes of earning more money, feeling more spiritually aligned, or becoming the best version of myself.

And while I’ve learned a ton of good information at these events, I slowly started to notice a negative pattern about how I felt while there.

I didn’t feel like myself, and I didn’t feel like I was being taken care of in a way that fits my personality. Let me explain.

Coffee Catastrophe

Once I went to a super pricey, ultra fabulous conference for entrepreneurs in a swanky hotel. It was 4 days of business and marketing advice so that we could become wealthy and successful like the conference’s host.

The content was right up my alley, and the other women were friendly…at least at first.

We quickly realized that there would be no coffee, drinks, or snacks served after breakfast. The sessions were from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm with a short lunch break, and everyone got crankier and sleepier as the day wore on.

I even caught myself falling asleep during the sessions and missing some key information (boo!). My grumbly tummy made me feel embarrassed as I counted the hours until the next meal. It’s like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs—when basic food needs aren’t being met, then nothing else matters.

Lesson Learned: I require snacks and caffeine throughout the entire day so that I can listen and apply the information.

Freezing for Enlightenment

In case you didn’t know, I’m a Buddhist, and I enjoy meditating and attending temple services. A few years ago, I signed up for a Zen Buddhist Retreat at a local temple. There were lessons about different types of meditation, yoga for spiritual health, Buddhist history, and more.

It was amazing, except for having to sleep on a concrete floor with no heat…during a Chicago winter. I don’t know about you, but it’s easier for me to reach enlightenment without worrying about my toes falling off.

Lesson Learned: I need comfy sleeping accommodations if I’m going to be able to focus on the big picture.

Spiders and Self-Development

Then there’s the time I went on a women’s retreat out in the middle of the woods. A week of finding myself in the wilderness with other woo-woo ladies sounded perfect.

What I didn’t prepare for was sleeping on a wooden plank, mice pooping in my sneakers, showering outside, or finding spiders on the toilets every morning.

Looking back, I don’t know what I was thinking when I signed up. I’m not outdoorsy by any stretch of the imagination. I tried to remain calm, but I was internally screaming the entire time.

Lesson Learned: I need to feel rested and empowered after an event, not like I need a vacation from my vacation.

Be Yourself at Life Editor Weekend!

I tend to make a common mistake when I’m editing my life—I try to be someone I’m not!

One of the most crucial life lessons I’ve ever learned is that I’m a high-achieving, high-maintenance, high-strung Type A personality. And I’m proud of it!

I love planning, security, and comfort. I don’t enjoy winging it or toughing it out.

To be the best edited version of myself, I need to embrace what makes me “me” instead of cramming myself into the box that other people want me to fit in.

When I started planning my upcoming live event, Life Editor Weekend, I decided to focus on creating an experience with all the good things that had been missing from other events I attended.

What Makes Life Editor Weekend Different

  • A hot breakfast buffet every morning is included in the ticket price. Yum!
  • Free snacks, coffee, and drinks are available for the entire day.
  • The event is held at a luxury hotel with comfy beds and soft pillows.
  • The bathrooms are inside with real toilets and running water (ha!).
  • Cool off with air conditioning, a large pool, and a gorgeous lake.
  • Your pet, spouse, and kids are welcome too!
  • The event is small (only 50 tickets) so you can speak directly with me.
  • Breaks between sessions are 30 minutes long so you have plenty of downtime.
  • Enjoy a Swag Bag full of stuff you’ll actually use like pretty pens and journals.
  • We’ll dance our butts off at a private Pajama Party.

Ready to be yourself? CLICK HERE to get your ticket for Life Editor Weekend.

Early Bird Tickets disappear on April 30 so don’t delay!

I’ll probably always wish that I was a “go with the flow” chick, but I’m a lot happier when accept my Type A needs and I take care of myself properly.

[Tweet “Be yourself and enjoy luxury, lounging, and life editing at Life Editor Weekend! “]

What does it mean to you to be yourself?

In the comments below, share what you will and won’t put up with in your life.

This post focuses on Step 5 of the Life Editing Process, Make White Space for Personal Self-Care. For more about life editing and what it can do for you, click here.

1 Comment

  1. Dacia Dyer on April 29, 2016 at 3:10 pm

    Haha!! So true! I know I would’ve just left if I was too hungry or too cold in a conference. I would lose all focus and then miss out on the experience all together!