Rewriting Default Settings

This year has stretched me, softened me, challenged me, and grown me in ways I
honestly didn’t expect. When I first started this “52 habits in 52 weeks” experiment, I
knew it would shift things.. but I didn’t realise just how much it would shape who I am
becoming.
And this week’s reflection? It’s the result of a whole lot of learning, unlearning, and
letting go.
Life has a way of throwing curveballs at all the wrong times. We don’t get to control
the chaos, only our reaction to it. And over the last few weeks, while I have  been a
little quiet on here, that’s exactly what I’ve been practicing.
Where Have I Been?
In short: packing, moving, selling, letting go… and choosing differently.
For most of my life, decisions were made on the fly. Quick. Reactive. No process, no
pause, no real thought about the consequences, just go.
But this year has taught me a new way. A calmer way. A more intentional way. Now I
make decisions with a process, whether they’re tiny or tough. I ask better
questions. I slow down before I say yes. And honestly… it’s changing everything.

Over the last few months, we navigated one of life’s big five stress events: selling our
home of almost 20 years. Packing up a life. Clearing out years of “stuff.” Finishing every renovation (because
of course everything gets done once you decide to sell).
Old me,  the “Trine” version I used to operate from, would have tried to keep
every plate spinning. She would have micromanaged every detail, burnt herself out,
and called it “being strong.”
This time? I chose something completely different.
I chose calm. I chose presence. I chose to trust the process instead of fighting with it.

I made a conscious decision: one thing at a time.
No chaos. No frantic energy. No sprinting to the finish line.
My mum came up to help, and instead of rushing through tasks, we spent slow
mornings chatting, enjoying the home we had built over two decades.
Even when the house looked like a disaster zone. Even when the timeline felt tight,
Even when emotions rolled in like waves. I stayed steady. I finished one job before starting the next. We prioritised. We
eliminated. We conquered each step as it came. And to my complete surprise,
everything flowed better than I ever imagined.
Sure, there were sleepless nights, little bumps, and moments of doubt. But the biggest realisation?
I can’t control everything, only how I respond.
And this time, I chose trust. Trust in myself. Trust in the process. Trust that life had our back.
Learning My Limits and actually Honouring Them.
I knew I didn’t have the mental space to write over the last few weeks, and for once, I didn’t force it.

I didn’t pile more on my plate. I’m learning to read my own signals and honour the flow I actually want in my life.
I used to be hard and fast. If it wasn’t done now, it wasn’t happening.
And yes, the job got done,  but at a cost. Usually my own.
By slowing down, systemising, planning, and taking things one step at a time… it just worked.

I had systems in business, but not in life. Now? I can say with complete certainty:
Systems beat pushing every single time.

What could have  been a massive stress storm became a season of flow.
Everything unfolded better than I expected because I finally allowed myself to follow
the path of least resistance,  the square peg into the square hole.

Don’t get me wrong ,  I still love stretching myself and becoming a better human.
But I’m learning that “flow with the river” isn’t just an inspirational quote.  it’s a way
of living.
These days, before I decide anything, I ask myself a better question. I reflect before I react. I check in before I jump in.
Because chaos used to be my home base,  the fast and furious, all or nothing version of me (plus a very busy ADHD brain). But now?
I’m choosing flow. I’m choosing ease. I’m choosing fun.

And I’m choosing to build a life that actually feels like living.