Author | Speaker
R
Release
Let go of what you no longer need to carry. A thought, an expectation, a resentment, a fear, a habit, a person, an outcome. Release is not losing. It is making room.
Ask yourself: What am I carrying today that I don't need to carry?
L
Listen
Pay attention to your inner voice and to your reality. Most of us already know what we need. We have simply stopped listening.
Ask yourself: What am I noticing that I shouldn't ignore?
Y
Yield
Stop trying to control what was never yours to control. Yielding is not giving up. It is accepting reality without giving up your power to respond.
Ask yourself: What do I need to stop trying to control?
N
Navigate
You do not need to solve your whole life today. You only need the next right move.
Ask yourself: What can I actually do today?
D
Discern
Choose with clarity. Not every opportunity deserves your yes, and not every fear deserves your no.
Ask yourself: Am I choosing from wisdom, fear, ego, habit, urgency or alignment?
A
Acknowledge
Tell yourself the truth — about yourself, another person, your circumstances and your progress. Including how far you have already come.
Ask yourself: What truth do I need to acknowledge today?
Living the RLYNDA Philosophy
In the book. She Kept Going tells my story in nine chapters. Each one is followed by a "Learning the Philosophy" section, so you can bring RLYNDA into your own life as you read. Available in English and Portuguese. [Get the book →]
On stage. I speak to women's groups, conferences and organizations about reinvention, resilience and the quiet power of starting over. [Book Arlinda to speak →]
In your style, your home and your travels. RLYNDA is how I approach every part of a life, including how it looks and feels. You will see it throughout my blog, Pretty Has a Backstory. [Read the blog →]
"Starting over is not failure. It is evidence that you had the courage to keep going." — Arlinda Norris
Frequently asked questions
What is the RLYNDA Philosophy?
The RLYNDA Philosophy is a six-part framework for starting over, created by author Arlinda Norris. RLYNDA stands for Release, Listen, Yield, Navigate, Discern and Acknowledge. It is the foundation of her memoir She Kept Going: The Quiet Power of Starting Over.
Who is the RLYNDA Philosophy for?
It is for anyone facing a new beginning — especially women going through a milestone such as a divorce, a career change, an empty nest or a milestone birthday.
Do I have to use all six pillars every day?
No. On hard days, one pillar is enough. RLYNDA is a practice to return to, not a checklist to complete.
Where can I learn the RLYNDA Philosophy?
In She Kept Going, available in English and European Portuguese, where each chapter ends with a "Learning the Philosophy" section. Arlinda also teaches it through her speaking engagements.
Who created the RLYNDA Philosophy?
Arlinda Norris — author, entrepreneur and speaker, born in Lisbon to Cape Verdean parents and now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. She is the founder of Rlynda Press.