One simple habit that can change your life
Raise your hand if you're ready
In last week’s issue about the cost of beauty, I mentioned a 5-day challenge that I wanted you to join me in - The High 5 Challenge.
Let me tell you why it grabbed onto me + how my life has changed in the last few days.
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THE MAGIC SPARK
A few weeks ago, I saw a post on Instagram from Naomi Watts. It was just a simple selfie she took while sitting in her mini van (aka the Swagger Wagon).
The caption read:
I might be in a mom van, (don’t knock it!) but I can still rock a red lip.
I don’t know why the post stopped me + my scrolling. Maybe because I saw myself in her. Maybe because she is 53 years old just like me. Maybe because she seems so down to earth.
Maybe it was her confidence. Maybe it was her red lips. Maybe it is the fact that at some point in the last few years the pigment in my lips has all but disappeared.
Maybe it was all of this.
But in that brief moment - I had a connection with her + what she was trying to exude. That age is just a number. That we each have something in our lives we can ‘still rock’. That being a 50+ female, mini-van driving mom - is super cool + something to be proud of.
She also inspired me to break out my bright lipsticks. To stop worrying about whether my lips are too thin to pull off those bright hues. To stop concerning myself with the deep lines around my lips that can easily siphon color away from what was once my natural lip line.
In a split second, Naomi Watts gave me a boost of confidence. She sparked something in me - like magic.
A HIGH FIVE
If you read my post last week, I shared an invitation to the High 5 Challenge hosted by Mel Robbins.
This was another one of those ‘stop the scrolling’ moments in my life.
Since 2012, I have been listening to the Rich Roll Podcast. If you don’t already listen, definitely check it out. I had never even heard of Mel Robbins until her interview with Rich Roll where she shared the story behind her new book The High 5 Habit.
I was hooked.
I hope you’ll take the time to listen to the interview, grab the book + participate in the challenge. But, in case you’re beyond busy at the moment, let me summarize the concept so you can give it a try.
The book teaches both the benefits as well as the strategy of creating the habit of greeting yourself with a big high five every morning in the mirror.
Hey, don’t knock it ‘til you try it.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AGAIN
Think about all of the times you have given someone a high five - maybe your kids, a teammate, a colleague, a friend.
Think of all of the times you’ve raised your hand to let someone know you’re proud of them, to celebrate their accomplishments, to encourage them along the path.
What would it feel like to do this for yourself?
What if every time you looked in the mirror, instead of beating yourself up + noticing every flaw, you instead looked yourself in the eye + gave yourself a high five?!
Better yet, what if you made this a habit + started every day with that vote of confidence from yourself - to yourself.
How would this simple habit change the conversation you have in your head every morning with yourself?
SIMPLE PRACTICE. BIG RESULTS.
As silly as this might seem - the whole high five yourself thing - I tried it this week. I gave myself a big high five every day. And, I have to say - it has already changed my relationship with myself.
It’s true!
Not only do I feel good in the moment of the high five, I actually look forward to seeing myself every morning because I know that when I see that face in the mirror - she is going to look right back at me + give me a great big high five. It sets the tone for my day + empowers me to get out there + give it my best.
Turns out there’s science as to why this simple habit delivers tangible, real-life results. You can read the book to learn all about that stuff. But, it’s powerful because we already have a lot of built-in programming associated with the gesture of a high five. The emotion + messaging is already programmed in us due to a lifetime of high-fiving each other.
So, when you give yourself a high five, you don’t have to say anything or convince yourself of anything or do anything new. Just go through the motion + all of those emotions + messaging will automatically come through.
As a distance runner, I know the power of having someone call out your name during a marathon, give you a high five + cheer you on with a big “GO TEAM”.
I also know how good it feels to throw a high five out at someone + cheer them on.
The high five habit is your opportunity to feel both sides of that equation - at the same time. And, most importantly, to hear it from YOU - your biggest critic!
YOUR MISSION:
I challenge you this week to practice the high five habit.
Every morning, right after you brush your teeth, look into your eyes + give yourself a high five in the mirror.
Notice any resistance you feel. Notice any laughter. Notice any tears.
Then, do it again the next day + the next + the next + the next.
I bet that by the time you hit day five, you notice some changes in how you talk to yourself. How you look at yourself. How you feel to be with yourself.
Will you try it? Leave me a comment + let me know!
RESOURCES:
LISTEN: Rich Roll Podcast - Mel Robbins Episode #630
WATCH: Rich Roll Podcast - Mel Robbins Episode #630 on YouTube
READ: The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins
WATCH: Conversations above the Noise with Mel Robbins + Maria Shriver
READ: You should give yourself a High Five every morning. Really. | Fast Company
IN SUMMARY:
Little moments like my virtual encounter with Naomi Watts + her red lips + the inspiration I received this week from Mel Robbins + her high five habit - make me realize just how much of an impact we can have on others through simple moments + simple gestures.
We don’t often realize just how much we inspire each other. And, we certainly miss out on how much we can inspire ourselves in the same simple ways.
Give yourself a high five today!
You are an inspiration to those around you + you make this world a better place! You deserve a high five! 🙌
See you next week?
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Another great article Karen. I will add the high five to my daily ritual of positive self talk each morning. Heck I high five my clients all the time, why not myself!
You probably know from my stories, I’m a big fan of Mel Robbins.
After seeing her talk about her new book, I decided to give the morning high-five a try, and I loved it from day one!
I’m about 40 days in and it’s become my favorite habit of the day. I can’t see myself ever stopping.
I really loved your perspective on how when we do this we get to experience the high 5 from both ends of the spectrum, giving and receiving. That makes it a double whammy.
No wonder It’s so powerful!