Welcome to the Blooming Mindset, a weekly dose of clarity, mindset, and practical wisdom to help you stay consistent, think more deeply, and build a life aligned with your identity and purpose. I'm Ruth Rieckehoff, and I'm so glad you're here. Please share this newsletter with a friend!
Beloved Architect of Identity,
I’ve got to tell you about the day I almost lost my mind because of shrimp tacos.
In Tijuana, Mexico. It was all my fault.
—
We were on a mission. My husband needed dental work, and we were craving seafood. Not just any seafood... the kind you dream about.
So we asked the folks at the clinic for recommendations, and they pointed us to a couple of great spots over in Playas (the coastal part of the city). After the appointment and a grocery stop, we hopped in the car and headed out.
That’s when things got... interesting.
We were cruising along the main road just fine when suddenly—BAM—the GPS told us to exit.
No big deal, right?
Except this exit kicked off the wildest 20-minute detour of my life.
Narrow roads. Potholes. Roller-coaster inclines. A random lady walking into traffic like it was a stroll in the park. My husband had to slam the brakes like we were in an action movie. I laid my seat flat, closed my eyes, and got a headache so bad it felt like my forehead was trying to tap out.
I’m not even being dramatic. Okay, maybe just a little.
We finally made it. The food was terrific. But I couldn’t stop thinking… Why the heck did the GPS take us through THAT road?
I couldn’t get the question out of my mind.
I took a good look at the application. And, it finally hit me.
The “Avoid Tolls” setting was turned on.
Yeah. That one little box caused all the stress, fear, and “are we gonna die?” moments.
Turns out, I had that setting on because I use it in the U.S., and I forgot to change it. The rules I used in one context didn’t work in this new one.
And that got me thinking…
How often do we go through life with our own “Avoid Tolls” setting turned on?
Old rules. Outdated habits. Mindsets that worked once, but don’t anymore.
They technically get us where we want to go... but the journey is way harder than it needs to be.
And the worst part? Sometimes we don’t even notice. We just assume the struggle is part of the path.
Ever catch yourself thinking, “Why does this feel so hard?”
Same.
But here’s the shift: sometimes, it’s not you. It’s the setting.
The thing you think is helping you, saving you time, money, energy, is actually leading you down pothole-filled, panic-inducing backroads.
What if you just changed the setting?
What if success in this next season isn’t about grinding harder...
But updating the rules you're playing by?
When we finally got to the restaurant, my husband said, “If we didn’t have an SUV, we wouldn’t have made it.”
That line stuck with me.
Because the wrong settings might still get you there, but only if you’re built for the punishment. And even then... why suffer if you don’t have to?
So here’s the reminder I needed, and maybe you do too:
Before the next phase of your journey, pause and check your settings.
The smoother path might be just one tiny change away.
Here’s to taking the toll road, on purpose,
Until next week!
Keep blooming,
Ruth
Reflect
- Where in your life are you still using settings meant for a different version of you?
- What kind of “pain” have you accepted as necessary when it might actually be optional?
Reframe
Old belief: “I’ve made it this far using this approach. It must still be the right one.”
New belief: “If the context has changed, my approach needs to as well. Survival mode isn’t a strategy for growth. I want to develop an abundance mindset.”
Actionable Transformation
- Audit your defaults. What habits, beliefs, or rules are running in the background? Write down the top 3 “settings” you never question.
- Ask: Is this still true? Re-evaluate each one with your current goals, context, and values.
- Pick one to change. Start with the one causing the most friction. Update the “setting,” and observe what gets easier.
P.S. Want to explore the mindset shifts that help you navigate change more smoothly (and powerfully)? Follow me on X. Let’s make the ride smoother, together.
