If you want a new start and are struggling and keep getting drawn into the old patterns of behaviour the following suggestion, to help you turn over that new leaf you’ve been trying to turn for a while, may seem weird, and even nonsensical, and yet ….

And yet using the metaphor in our language when we’re struggling is something I’ve successfully used for 25 years *.

Why?

Because putting some mental distance between you and the situation you’re grappling with can be really really helpful in finding different perspectives, answers and solutions - and metaphors can help you do that - and quickly too.

For example, if you want to turn over a new leaf there’s a part of you that understands that metaphor, connects to it, and can make sense of it too.

A part that knows if you talk about the situation - again - tell the story you’ve gone over and over many times before - you’ll find nothing new.

The same part that knows it can bring insight currently hidden from view out from behind that metaphor for you.

A part I often think of as your inner wisdom.

Why not have a go?

• Think of a situation you’d like to turn over a new leaf about
• Consider the level of confidence you have about your ability to do this (0 low to 10 high)
• Look at this image (or draw your own leaf or leaves).

• Then imagine turning over a new leaf as you reflect on this next image (or draw the other side(s)).

• Repeat the last two actions (ie go between the first and second image)
• Notice what you notice about the situation (because that part of you that wants to support the leaf turning will have opened a few doors in your mind to where insight can be found).
• Consider the level of confidence you now have about your ability to do this (0 low to 10 high) - this last part is important especially if you're unsure what's happened - ie you may not logically know why doing this has helped but realise you feel different and as a result of that feel more confident and therefore know what you need to do.
• Identify an action you can take to turn the corner / new leaf.
• Take the action.

If it was autumn I'd suggest you follow my lead and do this to help affirm your desire to turn over a leaf.

A more obvious option would be to get a book / notebook to represent the past and the future and turn over to a new page/ new chapter (leaf) - you could add some imagery to the book / notebook to mean you keep focused on the new chapter not old for example you could even tape up the old chapter and so on.

As stated above the idea is just to give your mind something to focus on to affirm your commitment to change - to shift from not knowing to knowing what to do.

* My name is Alison Smith and for 25 years I’ve used nature and metaphor to help you see the wood for the trees, get out of the rut, stop going round in circles, turn a corner and shift from not knowing to knowing what to do and yes get back on track.

There’s posts, poems, blogs, Landscaping Your Life YouTube channel, Landscaping Your Life with Alison smith podcast episodes (my own and as a guest), a Landscaping Your Life newsletter, ezine, pdfs (there’s even one on helping you see the wood for the trees), two books (Can't see the wood for the trees - landscaping your life to get back on track and Your Prescription for Wellbeing Journal) all sharing insight to help you find clarity and focus when you’re overwhelmed, confused, stuck or lost.

Do get in touch if you'd like to understand how a coaching session would be of help for you alison@alisonsmith.co (yes just .co).