At any moment, you can decide to change the narrative.
You are only a prisoner of your mistakes if you keep yourself focused on the past.
Are you allowing yourself to become better, to grow, to make a better choices, or are you a prisoner of your past?
Are you stuck, afraid to show up?
Is fear keeping you from taking chances, from believing good things are possible for you, that you are capable of achieving more?
Are you keeping yourself small because you don't believe you are worthy of more?
We are supposed to make mistakes along the way, the key to growth is in what you decide to do with your mistakes after you make them? Punish yourself forever or learn from them, and make a better choice next time?
You don't have to remain in your prison; a simple shift in your mindset, a new perspective, an improvement in your attitude, can change your story!
The best part about life is everyday starts fresh, you get to start again...
I’ve found the hard parts of the journey… the challenges, the adversities, the uncomfortable situations... they can stop you or shift you... What is your tendency?
DO YOU STOP AT THE HARD PARTS?
or
DO YOU SHIFT?
Adjusting your focus, shifting your perspective, choosing your attitude; using healthy support systems, you can learn, become and evolve: leading to the possibility of a stronger, more confident version of you.
Are things supposed to remain the same forever?
or should there be growth and development?
The answer really depends on your perspective! It’s a mindset.
I’m sure we can agree, it is so difficult to move through the hard parts of life,
especially when it feels too hard, overwhelming, seems not worth it or impossible to bear.
The pain can feel so intense sometimes, so much that your mind can begin to trick you into believing you don’t care, you aren’t worth it, you are invisible, you’ll never be good enough, it doesn’t matter, you don’t matter…
It’s in this space…
what's your automatic response?
Do you lean in to the "hard," the distractions, and use healthy solutions to move through the struggles
or do you begin sabotaging yourself by giving in, giving up, making unhealthy choices, poor decisions that hurt you; driving you further from developing the potential within?
WARNING...
too often, instead of trusting in 'self', you may be seeking validation from other sources. Even more depressing, the validation you seek, may never come from the source you seek it from, not because you aren’t deserving but because the person from which you seek it isn’t capable of giving it to you!!!
How is that for perspective?
For one reason or another number of reasons, they may have gotten stuck in the hard parts, stuck in the distractions, which have hardened them and left them feeling cold and dark, unable to cheer or support others, or they don’t understand you, because what was put within you is for you.
Are you allowing the actions and opinions of others to determine your abilities? The future you is ready to develop what is within you, don't wait! Believe in yourself, instead of waiting for them, show them.
Unfortunately, for you, years of seeking validation could be affecting your self-esteem, self-worth, a belief in yourself that you are special, deserving, and capable of achieving your goals and dreams, worthy of love and friendship.
Are you microscopically focused on the opinions of others?
Worried about whether you measure up? Meet their standards?
Sometimes, a little reminder that you matter, you are valued, supported and loved can change everything!
If you find yourself in an environment that pulls you down, is more hurtful than helpful, find another environment! Although it may not be an easy transition, stepping out of your comfort zone is hard, but there are resources, people and places to help you make it a reality.
You can surround yourself with people who inspire you, who lift you up and encourage you to believe in yourself.
Perhaps start by getting involved with a supportive group: a club, a team, a program; lead by a coach, therapist, doctor, spiritual leader, community member. Take a step, it can open doors!
… fortunately it’s never too late to get back up!
It’s never too late to become a better version of yourself, but it’s important to get connected, not isolated. At any moment, you can decide, you no longer want to be a prisoner to your past, you get to become better, it's tied to your attitude, your energy and your action!
The 'person' who decides to get back up may show up differently than before…
for some, this can feel discouraging; realizing you can’t do what you once could.
However, different doesn’t have to equate to feeling badly, with a change in mindset, different can mean new opportunities, those that would never have been possible as the previous version of you!
Perhaps you can create space
to be grateful for what was, and hopeful for what is to come.
Embrace your distractions, focus on finding and using support systems to develop the potential within you, regardless of where you find yourself right now!
Everyone’s timeline looks different, get back up or simply get started!
If you are ready to change the narrative, choose your attitude as you step into each new day! You 'get to', you don't 'have to'... imagine the possibilities if you choose to?!
How will you break down your prison walls?
self-worth
self-respect
self-esteem
self-love
self-compassion
self-confidence
Building up your sense of self! Showing yourself you are capable of more than you've ever thought possible.
Perhaps taking on a new project, something that will require physical work, setting realistic goals to complete your project, develop a plan of action to see it through. This will offer you an opportunity to prove to yourself you can do whatever you set your mind to do. When you get stuck in the hard parts of the action plan, ask for help. The hard parts are the important part, they are where you learn, where you build, where you grow! If you need help to move through a sticking point in your plan, try joining a class, a club, hire a coach or mentor, utilize a therapist or behavioral health program, whatever you need to help you shift, instead of stop.
Start with a simple project, something realistic. For example, you want to get yourself together, but you don't know where to start? Start with taking a look at how you are setting up your day. Are you waking to a blaring alarm after an interrupted slumber, rolling over and dreading the idea of surviving the day ahead of you? Then rushing through your morning, neglecting self-care, already thinking of the next place you should be, throwing down a muffin or skipping breakfast and drinking coffee on an empty stomach then rushing out the door? I could continue describing the life of someone surviving each day, but I think you get the picture.
Your first goal could be to set yourself up with a more helpful routine in the morning, something that will help you "slow down" to be present during your busy life.
Your plan could be to
change the alarm to something more gentle
wake-up 15 minutes earlier
before rolling out of bed, spend one minute creating connection between your mind and body, scanning body from head to toe, taking a few mindful breaths
acknowledging gratitude for what your body will be doing for you all day
use another minute to set your mind up for how you plan to embrace the day
and one thing you get to do to help someone else during your day
The final step of your first plan of action can be to consume a nutritious, balanced breakfast, for those on the go, a hearty protein shake or smoothie can be a good option.
Bonus if you can add 10minutes of walking somewhere in your day. Don't make it a big production, just do it where ever you are, when ever you can fit it in. If walking outside isn't possible right now, find a 10min indoor walking video on youtube, or stretching or core strengthening, anything that get you moving in a healthy way.
It's important to take on challenges! If we only do what we already know we can do, if we never face fear and do it anyway, we will never really know what we are truly capable of accomplishing. If all we do is dream about change, talk about change, and wish for it to happen, it will never happen. Start setting small goals, use positive affirmations and surround yourself with people who make you feel like you can succeed!
Change can happen the instant you make the decision...
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