“You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it’s better to listen to what it has to say.” ~ Paulo Coelho

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Going through the motions of a comfortably numb life just isn’t cutting the mustard anymore.

The shift to a heart-centred way of living means that we are being pushed out of our comfort zone to live a life of passion and purpose, whether we like it or not.

Trust me. I know this. I learnt the hard way. After years of settling for a life that wasn’t worth living, eight years ago, I broke free from my legal career and life in the United Kingdom to create a life I loved.

I went from being a hardened litigation lawyer fighting my way through a boring shade of grey to being a “vulnerability is my armour,” “all you need is love” type of girl while living life in colour and seeing possibility everywhere.

All because I listened to my heart.

In the words of Paulo Coelho, “You’ll never be able to escape from your heart so it is better to listen to what it has to say.”

I listened. I listened hard. I realised that I deserved so much more than the life I was living.

We all deserve more than to stay stuck in a job we hate, a relationship that isn’t working for us, or to give up on our dreams and ambitions. We all deserve to follow our hearts’ desires.

Whether it’s a dream, a passion, or even an obsession for a creative project, relationship, job, or just a different way of being, your heart wants more for you. Your heart wants you to create a life infused with passion and purpose—for you to go after your dreams, and experience a more authentic way of living.

How do you know if you are ready to break free?

In no particular order, here are my five signs that you are ready to follow your heart’s desires:

1. Apathy

The opposite of love isn’t hate. It’s apathy. Apathy is a lack of feeling that creeps up on you over time. You are going through the motions, in your comfort zone, the same old, same old, until you slowly realise that life isn’t rocking your boat anymore. In the words of the Rolling Stones, “you can’t get no satisfaction,” and you start to hunger for more.

2. The Wrecking Ball of Life

Every heart that rumbles for freedom has a trigger point that acts as a catalyst. The trigger is usually delivered through the “wrecking ball of life.” The wrecking ball of life can take the form of a random person crossing your path, an idea that stirs your passions, an illness that shakes you awake, a job loss that forces change, or you read a book that alters your thoughts about your life. Every trigger is a unique turning point. The trigger feels like a wrecking ball because it will upset the status quo of your life.

3. Frustration and Intolerance

The hunger for more takes hold and creates friction in your life. You have a fire burning inside of you. Feelings of frustration and a fire in your belly are your cry for freedom. You and your life (the people, situations, and circumstances) are like two pieces of sandpaper, rubbing each other up the wrong way. The frustration turns into intolerance—you just can’t bear it anymore.

4. Fear

The feelings of apathy and frustration go head to head with your fears. Your brain kicks in and reels off a long “No list”—why you can’t change, the obstacles in your way, it’s too hard, it’s too difficult, it won’t work.

This is where most people get stuck. Your fears are the edge of your comfort zone. You must battle with your fears to push through and out into freedom beyond.

5. Enough is Finally Enough

Your level of frustration increases, the fire burning inside continues to heat up until you hit your limits, decide enough is enough, and push out beyond your comfort zone.

You surrender to your heart and accept your soul’s desires. It’s time to act.

So, if you are ready to break free, listen to your heart, battle with your fears, and push through the walls of your comfort zone. You will never be able to escape from your heart so it’s better to listen to what it has to say.

Trust me. Your heart always knows the way.