Use The Force

Welcome to The Sunday Starter, a bi-weekly email for busy working parents who want to start taking back control over their lives.

Tell me if this sounds familiar.

Everything might be going smoothly, but suddenly, something triggers a negative response, and we find ourselves stuck in a rut.

→ Unable to find an exit, we experience feelings of depression and loneliness, withdrawing from the world.

This path often arises because we're uncertain where to seek help. When everything seems to be going wrong, the starting point can be elusive.

Today, I want to introduce you to a simple concept that can serve as a foundation for your life. It aims to prevent you from going down this difficult path altogether, or if you do, it provides the essential building blocks to find your way back home.

This concept is called the Life Force Pyramid.

In the documentary "Stutz," directed by Jonah Hill, the story is built around Jonah's therapist, Phil Stutz, and how Phil aided him in overcoming depression and navigating life's challenges.

One pivotal concept highlighted in the documentary is the Life Force Pyramid.

This pyramid encompasses three key areas:

• Body: Your physical well-being

• People: Relationships with others

• Yourself: Relationship with oneself

When we're feeling depressed, stuck, or caught in a downward spiral, the pyramid serves as a foundational approach to help us regain our footing.

Body:

There's a reason this forms the base of the pyramid—when our body is out of balance, it disrupts everything else. In moments of a rut, the first step is to assess our exercise, nutrition, and sleep. Neglecting these core aspects can send the rest of our life into a tailspin.

→ Remember, action creates mood.

Sometimes, the simple act of getting up and moving can be the best thing for us today.

People:

This dimension revolves around connection, community, and relationships. People bring us energy, and it's crucial to surround ourselves with them regularly. As social animals, cutting off these interactions can harm our health. Yet, we must be proactive. Waiting for invitations or hanging out with others might not always happen. Take the initiative and ask for that time.

→ Be proactive and initiate conversations.

A brief text to a friend you haven't spoken to in a while can breathe new life into the relationship.

Yourself:

This section is about cultivating a healthier relationship with yourself, delving deeper inside, and exposing things we tend to keep hidden. Journaling is an excellent way to bring our thoughts into the open, though it can be intimidating. Ask yourself, "Would you rather continue dealing with nagging anxiety in your head or confront it openly?"

→ Start by getting quiet—find a peaceful place, disconnect from technology, or take a nature walk. Allow your mind to wander freely, and then jot down what comes to mind.

Sometimes, solitude is precisely what we need to rediscover ourselves.

When facing struggles, refer back to the pyramid as a guide.

Take care of your body, seek connection, and spend time exploring your thoughts. The process is straightforward; the challenge lies in taking control and assuming responsibility for what comes next.

It's challenge time once again!

I encourage you to give journaling a try this week.

If you're already practicing, that's fantastic—keep it up! However, if you've been hesitant to start journaling, it's likely because you're unsure of where to begin.

If you're looking for a starting point, consider using my 4-question exercise below. It only takes about 5-7 minutes and can help you initiate the practice of writing.

Question 1: (a) What is one thing you're grateful for today? (b) Why?

Question 2: What is one lesson you learned today?

Question 3: What is something you're holding onto that you can "let go" of?

Question 4: (a) What big "to-do" item do you want to accomplish tomorrow? (b) At what time will you accomplish it?

What’s Coming Next:

Next week, we’re going to talk about how rules could be a helpful way to make decisions.

Thanks again for your support with this newsletter.

❓What did you think? I’d love feedback in order to continue to make this a superb resource for everyone. It can be positive or negative. Nothing is off limits so reply to this email and I’d love to hear from you.

✅ When you complete the challenge, Reply directly to this email and please share. I’d love to learn how the journaling prompts helped you or if you decided to try a different writing approach.

How can I support your journey?

🙏 One of the coolest things about building the Just Get Started platform over the last several years is the number of interactions with new and interesting people who are on the cusp of getting started or early in their journey.

What are you starting that you are excited about?

If I can support you in any way, please let me know. You can reply to this email and let me know what’s going on in your world. I’ll try to help where I can!