Anxiety and panic attacks used to be a part of my daily (and nightly) reality. I felt like I was fighting a constant battle in my own mind and body that was impossible to express in words. But there is one specific question that has helped me immensely since I have begun to ask it. It’s such a simple question, but sometimes the simplest introspective questions have the biggest effect on our mindset when we answer them with honesty, self-compassion and courage.
Author: Melissa Bouwer
Are you a content caterpillar?
I recently realised something unpleasant about myself, something that I could so easily have minimised until the dissonance in my mind faded, or explained away by rationalising it with a thousand excuses. But unless you face unpleasant realisations about yourself, you can't define them and find ways to improve the way you engage with yourself and the world around you, and you can't address the underlying motivations driving you to act against your values. I was a content caterpillar.
The freedom of words – from my heart to yours
If you're in the middle of a whirlwind of twisting, turning, constant change right now and you feel like you'll never feel solid ground beneath your feet again. Please know that at some point it will be there, and you'll stand firm and return to things your heart loves.
Do less…
If you’re even a little bit like me - in other words a very determined individual - you’re no stranger to taking on too much, trying to please everyone, and feeling the need to prove yourself in some way. And if so, you’ve also experienced your fair share of crashes when burnout hits and you are physically, mentally and emotionally incapable of continuing on in the way you were.
If meeting new people makes you anxious, try this…
“Don’t talk to strangers!” For some of us, this grim warning given by so many grown-ups during our childhood years seems to have gotten itself lodged firmly in our adult brains. But have you ever asked yourself what exactly you’re afraid of?
What fills you?
We all need different types of “filling” at different times, and learning to be mindful of that is a huge step towards a more balanced existence.
How to right a relationship when something is bugging you
One of the biggest causes of tension in relationships is when we tolerate something the other person does that bothers us. We might quietly stew for a while or we might have a really low boiling point – but sooner or later, we either explode or implode.
“Rebranding” – A trick to get you back on track
“Rebranding” is simply choosing better wording for a goal, challenge or situation. This helps you see things from a completely new perspective that better serves you and empowers you to take action.
Bite-sized bit – Unexpected little upsides
Not all BAD things are ALL bad. Do your best to find the unexpected little upsides when things don’t quite go your way.
Why you should take the time to celebrate
Conquering your mountains seems to be all about the climb, but if you never take the time to pause and celebrate how far you’ve come, how will you ever enjoy the view?
