There was a time, not too long ago, when I remember waking up one morning and realizing that every day looked exactly the same.
The same tea mug. The same drive. The same conversations. The same sense of just getting through the day.
And if I’m honest, it wasn’t that anything was particularly wrong.
My life was good. I had work that mattered, people I loved, and moments of laughter and gratitude sprinkled throughout. But deep down, I could feel it — that quiet sense of something missing.
That spark that once made life feel vivid had dimmed, and I was living more by habit than by heart.
That’s when it hit me: I was on autopilot.
The Comfortable Trap of Routine
We all fall into patterns — and in many ways, they serve us. Routines make life easier. They help us avoid decision fatigue. They bring structure and a sense of control.
But what begins as helpful structure can quietly become a limiting cycle.
Over time, those predictable patterns can start to dull our awareness, our curiosity, and even our joy.
We get so used to how things are that we stop asking ourselves how we want them to be.
And this is where so many people find themselves: Life looks fine on paper, but inside, there’s a quiet ache. A feeling that you’re existing rather than living.
Why We Stay on Autopilot
Autopilot often begins innocently. We repeat what’s familiar because it feels safe. We stop questioning things because questioning takes energy — and when we’re already stretched thin, it’s easier to coast.
Sometimes it’s fear that keeps us there — fear of failure, of disappointment, or of change itself.
Sometimes it’s habit, formed by years of doing what’s expected rather than what’s desired.
And sometimes, it’s because we’ve forgotten that we even have the power to choose differently.
I’ve seen this in clients again and again — women who are intelligent, kind, capable, and deeply yearning for something more, but who feel trapped by their own patterns. They’ve built good lives, but not necessarily fulfilling ones.
And here’s the truth I want you to remember: You’re not broken for being here. You’re human. But you don’t have to stay here.
Moving from Autopilot to Awareness
The first step in moving out of autopilot is awareness — noticing when you’ve drifted into patterns that no longer serve you.
The second is courage — the willingness to do something different, even in small ways.
And the third is trust — trust in yourself, trust in your inner wisdom, and trust that change is possible.
Here are a few ways to begin that shift this October:
1. Change One Small Thing in Your Routine.
Take a different route to work. Try a new recipe. Rearrange a room. Small physical shifts signal to your brain that change is safe and possible.
2. Ask Yourself One Powerful Question Each Morning.
Before you pick up your phone, pause and ask: What would make today feel meaningful? Then listen closely — and let that guide your actions.
3. Reconnect with Your Senses.
Autopilot numbs us. Awareness wakes us up. Step outside and notice the smell of autumn air, the texture of the leaves, the sound of your breath. Presence is power.
4. Do One Thing That Scares (or Stretches) You.
It could be signing up for a class, joining a group, or simply speaking your truth in a conversation you’ve avoided. Growth always requires some discomfort — it’s the only way new energy enters your life.
5. Reflect on What You’re Craving.
Is it connection? Creativity? Freedom? Purpose? Write it down. Don’t edit or judge it — just allow yourself to see it clearly. This clarity becomes the seed for conscious change.
Imagine What is Possible?
A Personal Reflection
I remember working with a woman who told me, “My life is good, but I feel like I’m watching it from the outside.” She had everything she thought she was supposed to — but she was living in quiet detachment.
Through our work, she began to reconnect with her curiosity. She joined a new group, began volunteering again, and slowly started to see herself differently.
Her life didn’t transform overnight, but she began to feel alive again — because she stopped waiting for something to happen and started creating it.
That’s what getting off autopilot looks like. Not perfection. Not radical overhaul. Just presence, purpose, and possibility.
Your Challenge for October
This month, I invite you to practice Radical Awareness — the first step of my Radical Trust Framework.
For the next seven days:
Notice when you’re on autopilot.
Name it (quietly say to yourself: “This is my pattern.”).
Choose one moment each day to act differently.
It could be saying “yes” to something new — or “no” to something that drains you.
And if you want to take this deeper, I’m considering hosting a live mini-workshop later this month designed to help you shift out of autopilot and reconnect with what truly matters. If that’s something that interests you, hit reply and let me know — your feedback will help me shape it.
Final Thought
Living on autopilot isn’t failure — it’s simply a sign that your soul is ready for something more.
You are capable of living a life that feels vivid, intentional, and deeply fulfilling. But it starts with a single conscious breath — and the decision to wake up to your own life.
If you feel like coaching might offer you the guidance and support to make that shift, I invite you to sign up for a free Clarity Call — a chance to explore where you are, what you want next, and whether this work could be a good fit for you.
Here’s to a month of awareness, courage, and radical trust. 🌿
Warmly, Marianne Marianne Preston Coaching
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