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.
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.
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.
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.
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” 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.
Not all BAD things are ALL bad. Do your best to find the unexpected little upsides when things don’t quite go your way.
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?
Setting an intention for the day helps you realise that even when circumstances aren’t the best, and people let you down, you still have control over your own thoughts and actions.
The circumstances we find ourselves in are often far from perfect, but we can find glimpses of perfection if we look hard enough. It’s all about where we choose to focus our attention and, in turn, how we choose to feel.
Portal to Change 