Every day we wake up, and every day we choose. Choose to live, love and just exist in general. How we perceive ourselves has a direct impact on our day-to-day joy and general well-being.
Life can get crazy—the pressure of the job, the messiness of the kids, a schedule fit for superman and roots from hell. Sometimes just finding time for our friends and extended family can seem insurmountable and like a burden.
We can find ourselves traveling through this life with little or no intention, not really being IN a given situation—but instead pushing forward to the next thing on this hypothetical “list” we pin to our bra strap daily. Here are some simple ways to change this pattern. It’s not as hard as you might think and does not involve yoga or any form of exercise or dieting!
Stop Mind Reading
Are you doing way too much reasoning in your mind and then scrambling to make a million adjustments because of perceived answers? When the preconceived answers start flying around our brains, we have a tendency to make decisions on assumptions. These behavior choices can leave us feeling bitter and angry. Instead, take control of your thoughts. Don’t make decisions on preconceived notions. Ask yourself what information you DO have and what your next step should be. Then do only that.
Start Taking Care of Yourself
This may look like reading six or 60 pages of a book in your PJ’s or taking the time to put your makeup on before you get in the car. Maybe it’s a bubble bath or coffee with a friend. Maybe it’s a moment to just sit and breathe. The world isn’t going to stop, the kids aren’t going to die, and your husband certainly won’t starve if you take a time out to be kind to yourself. More importantly, stopping the schedule to just sit and be in the present will make a world of difference.
If It’s Stressing You Out, Just “Sit With It”
Taking a moment to stop and pay attention to your thoughts and feelings can be a game changer. If we stop, just for a second, and ask ourselves “How do I feel about this or that?” then acknowledge internally “I’m sad” or “I’m feeling lonely” or maybe “I’m really kinda scared” and just sit with the feeling, the stress will subside and our brains will be free to accept a solution when it comes. The problem won’t go away, but this exercise will shift your focus. You’ll have confidence to do the hard things and accept that it’s not the end of the world.
Remember today that you are lovely. There is no one like you and you have a purpose that no one else can fill. It’s okay to be however we are– we have a right to feel. And these feelings don’t need to be a bad thing. In fact, they help guide us. Mistakes are things of the past, so don’t judge yourself. Reach deep sister. You have so much to offer.
