Welcome to Day 79 of the Wellbeing 9-a-Day blog! Yesterday, we considered the eighth stage of the Hero’s Journey, Re-integrating, where the Hero returns to transform their Ordinary World. In today’s blog, I move onto the ninth and final stage of the Hero’s Journey, The New Norm.
The New Norm
The task of the final stage of the Hero’s Journey is to learn to move easily between the two worlds.
You must still be seen as a member of your community, whilst keeping the gifts you received during the journey. In essence, you must use the insights gained from your journey in the Special World to help those in the real (normal) world.
In a Bond movie, this is where 007 emerges victorious from the villain’s lair with his new lady love by his side. With his mission accomplished, Bond will now await the next call from Q.
In Beauty and the Beast, Belle’s love lifts the enchantment, returning the Beast and his servants to their human forms. Belle and the Beast marry, restoring order to the kingdom and summoning a new springtime for the region.
When learning a new skill in life, The New Norm is when you become unconsciously competent at a skill. It has become part of you now.
By completing this final stage of the Hero’s Journey, the Hero creates a new map of the world with everything in its right place, and all the growth and discoveries are incorporated.
The Hero completes their transformation, establishing a new normal before they set off on their next Hero’s Journey, ready to transform again.
Creating a New Ordinary World
The final task of the journey is to create a new Ordinary World.
The Hero must learn to use the rewards achieved in the Special World, while still being seen as a member of their community. They must use the insights gained to help those in the Ordinary World.
Finding a new level of existence, the Hero creates a new map of the world with everything in its right place, with all the growth and discoveries incorporated.
Transformed by their adventure, the Hero may become a mentor to others preparing for their own Hero’s Journeys.
Myths warn that the Hero must slip back into their life role without excessive self-regard. They are never preening or superior; they are well loved, just and wise.
The final step of your Hero’s Journey is to establish the New Norm to include the reward(s) gained during the journey.
The skills, knowledge or relationships earned are brought back to help everyone succeed. By creating a new map of the world, you prepare for your next Hero’s Journey, where you will move closer to the person you are destined to become.
Call to Action!
Think back to Hero’s Journeys from your past. What kind of new norms have you established, and how did they go? Each time you complete a transformation, you must find a new status quo so that you are ready for your next Hero’s Journey. By closing the loop of your journey, you are able to start your next transformation from a position of strength, where your world has ultimately improved.
This blog was written as part of a 90-day blog writing fundraiser for Live Well with Cancer, a volunteer-led charity serving North Tyneside and the surrounding areas. If you enjoyed this blog, please show your appreciation by donating to my JustGiving page. Every penny raised from donations or sales of the journal will help deliver workshops, events and support groups that empower better health and wellbeing for those affected by cancer, including family, friends, carers, and healthcare workers.
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