Googling the definition of “flexibility” gets you phrases like “the quality of bending easily without breaking” and “willingness to change or compromise”.
Becoming a more flexible person reflects the same things. Flexibility can help you deal with all kinds of life situations. It can even lead to adventure and learning.
If you are wondering how to become more flexible in life, here are some of the most effective tips you can try.
1Start small
Becoming flexible doesn’t happen overnight. Pushing too much could actually set you back. Similar with physical flexing, it can hurt, too.
Instead of rushing, start by trying new things on your free time. Change up your environment and choose a different place to grab food for lunch.
Remember the sensation of opening up to something new and different. Keep this feeling in mind and it can get you through any unforeseen change of events or an unexpected invitation.
2Stretch your brain
When you engage your imagination and problem-solving skills, it’s like training and preparing your brain to adapt to slow or sudden life situations. Here’s how you can do that:
Go people watching.
When I write fiction, the things I see give me ideas for dialogue. You can do the same thing and spend some of your free time looking at something that makes you curious.
You can also try working on a puzzle or playing a game without consulting the guide. Embrace the mistakes or awkwardness as part of the learning process. The way you work your imagination can help you achieve the flexibility you’ll need in your life.
3Rethink your to-do list
Is your to-do list extremely loaded with tasks? Do you manage to tackle everything on that list?
Maybe you do, but at the price of being stuck in a constant state of “have-to”. And if you’re constantly saying “-but I have to do this thing”, being spontaneous can be incredibly stressful. You may even have a hard time adjusting to the sudden changes you have to make in your schedule.
To avoid all these inconveniences, try breaking up your to-do list into sections by following these ideas:
Things you must do: Create a section in your to-do list that will include things you must absolutely complete before tomorrow. It should contain more time-sensitive tasks that need to be done right away.
Consider yourself productive once you knock out this list. Since it’s likely to be much shorter than the other sections you’ll have in your list, it will give you more time to unwind or deal with whatever life throws at you.
Things you’d like to do, but don’t have to: This section could include tasks that won’t lead to major consequences if you’re unable to get to them. It could also function kind of like a bucket list for the week. You could exercise flexibility by choosing a few of the items on a whim instead of having to do them all.
Approaching goals and events: Like with the first section, you’ll need to conquer this section eventually. But, unlike the first section and more like the second section, you don’t have to get it done today.
You can keep this section in the back of your head while planning for the day.
See Also: Todo List Apps for People Who Don’t Like Todo Lists
4Occasionally change up your morning/night routine
If your existing routine is making you feel dull and bored, it’s probably the right time to change things up.
Be on the lookout for more pleasant or efficient ways to add spice to your day. It can be as simple as changing your breakfast or adding a new skin care product in your night routine.
You can also change the ways you do things in the morning. For example, if you have been used to eating your breakfast in your dining room, consider taking your food tray to your patio. Eating outdoors can make you feel more energetic.
In addition to that, changing your routine can also make you feel productive, energetic, and flexible. It’ll help you realize that there are several ways to get a single task done.
5Question the norm
By norm, I’m referring to the things you were taught.
Let’s use your mom’s macaroni recipe (whether it exists or not) as a simple example. So long as you stick to it, you know what kind of taste you can expect from it.
But what happens when you’re short on some ingredients or you don’t have a stove? Considering the recipe, you may think that you can no longer make the same macaroni.
That is until you start asking yourself: Why does the recipe involve these steps? What role do the ingredients have in the dish? What makes this dish so predictable?
I don’t have a stove… but can I use a microwave and still succeed?
By questioning the norm, you open yourself up to new ways to approach something.
Considering the example, you discover substitutes for the ingredients you’re short on. You discover a new taste by measuring out the ingredients a little differently, which also helps you cook the meal in the microwave.
This isn’t to say that you have to discard your mom’s recipe. You simply gain another recipe through creative improvisation. Hopefully, it’ll taste pretty good, too!
6Don’t force it
A flexible life means being more creative and resourceful. It requires a lot of trial and error.
Don’t feel stressed out because of the changes that come your way. The lessons you’ll learn along the way can help you become more flexible in life.
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