Expand your consciousness, expand your horizon

What does it mean for us as humans to expand consciousness? If we consider ourselves as an expression of the universe experiencing itself, then expanding consciousness means becoming aware of the cosmic aspects within ourselves.

But what does this mean on an individual level? Perhaps it means noticing our patterns: the thoughts and actions that we play out on repeat without even realising. It could also mean opening yourself up to possibility without assumption or judgment, especially when things are still unfolding. Whatever nuance you apply, the core remains the same: to raise our consciousness is to raise our awareness of what is.

What is the value and purpose of becoming more aware? There is inherent power in awareness. Being aware allows you to act with intention, rather than react to a situation. Our intention, aligned with action, is an incredibly powerful tool that each of us can access and utilise in order to create the life and reality we wish to inhabit. Being aware of our thoughts and actions can give us insight into why we currently live the life that we do.

Consider for a moment a situation which I found myself in at the start of my career: I had a pretty “cool” job working as a junior designer at a design agency. There was a lot about this job that would be considered “good” in terms of a full-time design position.

Firstly, it wasn’t explicitly in advertising, a terribly toxic sphere of the creative industry. Secondly, it seemed that most of the work was quite desirable. There was a lot of creativity on display — something that you crave as a young creative professional. I had a strong desire to “prove” my creativity to the world.

But, after spending some months working there, certain things became apparent to me that changed the way I was experiencing the job.

There was a tremendous focus on time, and the amount of time spent on work. Often jobs would be quoted based on an amount of hours, and the designers would have to work to reach the deadline within those hours, or else we start to eat into any profit.

This was emphasised often, and became an oppressive prison for me.

Often, juniors (like myself) would be assigned “easy” jobs that would be very quick for a more experienced designer, but involves a lot of trial and error for a less experienced person. Because the jobs were seen as simple, I would more often than not go over the time budget.

This, along with some other factors, combined to create an environment totally out of alignment with the energy of creativity.

I felt trapped, stressed, not good enough, incompetent… Like my time was being stolen from me for a pittance, and for what?

The longer I worked there, the more I thought, is this really it? Is this what life has in store for me? How can I face this every day? It felt completely oppressive, and I felt that I had absolutely no power.

Until, one day, I realised that I don’t need to accept this as inevitable.

A colleague’s husband was also a designer, but had been freelance for years and did extremely well. This was the first hint that I do not have to chain myself to a boss — I could instead have clients, and I could be my own boss.

I chose to make this my reality: I would become a freelance designer instead of a full-time employed one, and I would set the conditions of my work. I set a deadline for when I would resign. I told my friends and family. Eventually I resigned, but I was still afraid so I did it well in advance of actually stopping work.

And you know happened? Another colleague recommended me to another freelance designer, and I immediately got some steady work as her junior. The two or three days each week I committed to her would give me more money and more time than the full-time job I was working previously.

Plus, I had the option to skip on work I didn’t want, I could set my own schedule, and work from anywhere at my leisure. It was FREEDOM, and it was LIBERATING.

Pretty soon, I landed another stable client, and I was more than set.

And all of this started because I became aware of something beyond my current experience. I chose to see beyond the confines of my present situation, and set the intention to create certain conditions for my life and career. And, importantly, I chose to ACT on those intentions.

If I had just sat around feeling sorry for myself, I would still be there, lamenting my reality and my fate. Or worse, married to it.

In many ways, we choose our own fate through our actions, or sometimes lack of action.

This is just one example from my life, but it was a major decision that ultimately changed my trajectory. It was the first step of many that has brought me to a point where I don’t fear life’s circumstances, but instead look for the opportunity and the potential in each moment.

So, what about your life do you feel trapped or unsatisfied by? Where do you struggle to see the potential for change and growth? And, how can you change your behaviour to align with what you really do want to cultivate?

Remember, it is only our responsibility to create the life we desire. To be conscious is to be accountable to your own inner authority — your highest self, not your lowest.