If you're like me, you've already started to see your New Years resolutions slip away from you. Things aren't going quite the way you imagined they would and you're starting to wonder if you'll ever make it work. I find that I need to remind myself of what I know to be true regularly to keep me on track. Thinking about these things reminds me of how far I've come and gives me confidence to push forward.
Here's a list of things I learned in 2014 that I've been trying to remember in 2015. Chin up! You got this!
- When I'm feeling anxious I can reframe my physical feelings as excitement. It doesn't change my physiology, but it does change my perception of it, which then has the power to change my performance. Read this to learn about why this works.
- All my suffering comes from the stories that I tell myself about what's going on, not from the events themselves. I've been doing this more and more to try and stop these stories from running my life.
- The only thing I can count on changing is me.
- I am stronger than I think I am - I bounce back.
- Reminding myself that it's not all about me and focusing on others can help me break out of dark places.
- There is a soft, loving, compassionate place inside me that I can access at any time. To connect with this place, I put my hand over my heart and breathe deep. I like to think of it as my 'inner smile'.
- Sitting and thinking, worrying, or ruminating doesn't help anything. Getting up and getting moving does.
- I can use my senses to bring me into the present moment. Paying attention to the feeling of my feet on the ground, my legs on a chair, or listening to the ambient sounds is a solid way to break my attachment to my thoughts and help me find balance again.
- Just start. I've learned that I can't choose a wrong place to start. Everything I try leads to something else.
- Start before you're ready. If I wait until everything is ideal, I will never start anything.
- I can only do one thing at a time. When I am working on something, I need to give it my absolute, full attention.
- Schedule the day. Then do what's on the schedule. This has been a huge game changer for me.
- Encourage others whenever possible - but especially when I'm feeling stuck or down on myself.
- In a loving relationship, where both parties are equally invested in making it work, when I put that person's needs before mine, my needs will be met.
- When I feel stuck in my head is when I most need to communicate - to make sure those around me don't feel shut out.
- Feeling good requires relentless commitment.
- To truly love someone I need to stop trying to change who they are.
- Take note of what happens every day that feels good, and what I did that made me feel good.
- I have everything I need inside myself.
- I will find the answers I need when I need them.
- When feeling bad, think about what would feel really good right now? Sometimes even just letting myself imagine feeling good lifts my mood.
- Smile at my reflection, instead of scowling about what I think is wrong with it.
- Stand/sit up straight. It makes me feel more balanced and level.
- Watch comedies. Laughter is never a waste of time.
- Write things down. Check in with how I'm doing every day.
- Clean my own space first.
- Read books that teach or remind me how to feel good.
What are some truths that you've learned and need to remind yourself of?