It’s not easy to go against the grain, but it’s worth it.

I believe most of us are brainwashed by social conditioning and are living what I call ‘The caged life.’Dr Paul Dolan, Professor of Behavioural Science at the London School of Economics has found that social norms are defined by others and taken on by us.

They are not our own true core values. So we are all like sheep (although I do like sheep!)...we are all copying each other, comparing, and competing with each other.

We haven’t stopped and challenged our limiting beliefs that are holding us back from reaching our full potential in our life.

The void of feeling unfulfilled

When I was 29 I felt the pressure to ‘find a partner’ to ‘get settled’ to ‘be a successful person’ in some way. I was like shit, I better have kids! But do I even want kids?! Do I need to ‘get a good job’ even it feels soul destroying just to pay off a mortgage and get a house?

The more I forced this way of living, and the more I tried. The more I seemed to feel unfulfilled.

Letting go

I went through a period of breaking down - this was the letting go of my old life. You see what I now know is that I had never truly lived authentically in alignment to my gifts. So for a long time I was ‘fitting in as best I could’. I was suppressing who I was really was- and this made me sick.

I started to consider HOW I was living my own life.

I was living my life in alignment to what society says will bring success. Vishen Lakhiani CEO of Mindvalley calls these the BRULES of society - ‘the bullsh*t rules of society’.

I had never taken time to get to truly know myself.

The personal enquiry

It makes sense that most people don’t do this - start the personal enquiry.

Why is this?

The courageous path is not talked about in our society, because the culture wants you to stay trapped in the cycle of consumption
Social norms are defined by others and taken on by us. They are not our own true core values.
Plus it’s scary - to truly ask these big questions, to live out our dreams

But not doing this, is making our society sick. It made me sick. People are not sleeping, people are unfulfilled, they’re overcommitted because we haven’t sat down and asked, what am I here for?

Break free from the caged life

I’ve now dedicated my life to helping others realise there is a different way of living and thinking. I am sharing everything I know based on the ancient wisdom of the yoga values, what the science says and what I’ve learnt from experimenting with my own life- about how to find true fulfilment in life.

There are many ways of living - It is possible to move from the caged life to the courageous path. Here’s some clues to start breaking some bullsh*t rules - some BRULES - in a good way!

Consider these questions to start breaking some BRULES and start living a more fufilling life based on your own unique gifts:

Why not redefine success?
Can you turn your pain into purpose?
How can you prioritise your own health and vitality even if it means upsetting others?
Will you follow the crowd, or are you willing to start the personal enquiry?

It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Are you willing to be brave?

There has never been and never will be another you. You have a purpose - a very special gift that only you can bring to the world
- Marie Forleo

Jo Jarden is a health coach, yoga teacher, personal trainer and founder of Heart and Mind Yoga Christchurch New Zealand. She helps people find mental peace, physical vitality, and to live with purpose

Services include:

Workplace Yoga - 1 hour yoga session, or wellbeing workshops
Private Session - 1 hour health coaching session, beginners yoga session
Community events - Wednesday weekly classes
Retreats - Beachside Retreat Saturday 21st January (click the image below to learn more)
Book your session here, or contact Jo 022 125 3011

Why you should Break Some Rules