Sometimes we need to ask ourselves are we ‘mind full’ or ‘mindful’?
Self-care is perceived as selfish but it is actually vital for us to reset and recharge. Start by selecting two of the below you can implement and practice regularly:
Mind full- can be when our mind is overloaded by an accumulation of many different things, i.e., work-load pressure, academic pressure, parenting, relationships etc.
Mindful- Relax the brain (amygdala) i.e., located deep and medially within the temporal lobes of the brain's cerebrum in complex vertebrates. Reduce thoughts relief from thoughts.
Meditation- can reduce stress and anxiety, increase compassion, and Improve hormone levels -if we incorporate the below techniques in our everyday lives, it can make a difference.
Getting Outside- and Immerse in a mindful walk-in nature can Improve mental focus, and increase vitamin D.
Exercise- can help to provide new cell growth, better concentration, and sleep.
Gratitude Journal- write 3 things that you are grateful for- this can help you to focus lower your stress level, give you a sense of calm, and new perspective.
Power Nap/ Closed your eyes for a few seconds- Improve productivity/mood, increase creativity, boost alertness, and reduce stress.
Motivational Monday
'‘In life pain is inevitable but suffering is optional…You can only win when your mind is STRONGER than your emotions. Don’t take the feeling of loneliness as a negative thing. You lack nothing, use that alone time to work on yourself so you can become a better version of yourself than you were before”
Take Accountability
I am sorry maybe I’m being biased but we live in a culture where people think that they can continuously do or say things that inflict hurt/pain on someone else’s. Then when they get called out on it they say, I APOLOGISE and that person is supposed to be okay with what they have done. I am so tired that some folks think it is okay to hurt people and that there are no ramifications for their actions
Cudney & Hardy (1993 ), suggests that when we lack awareness and insight we tend to choose “self-defeating (hostility, defensiveness, manipulation and alienation) behaviours in response to a painful experience, our consciousness can easily override by the subconscious mind that let us believe this behaviour is a healthy and productive one”
Sometimes, we are still shackled to our past hurt/trauma. If these deep-seated inner wounds don’t address individually, we can carry them over into new connections and project our unhealthy habits unto another person.
If this resonates with anyone and you think moving forward you would like to start to coexist in healthy relationships. Start by taking accountability and reflecting on things you need to change, so you can heal and free yourself from habits, feelings and attitudes that might hold you back from living a fulfilling life.
Wellbeing Wednesday
Self care is not selfish so today I encourage someone to take a moment to fill there cup by acknowledging the self and pour into you, kindness, compassion and forgiveness that you truly deserve. I also encourage you to take time away from your desk, house chores and parenting etc to do something for yourself. I.e., go for walk (connectedness with nature), take a nice bath or take yourself out for a meal.
My Blog. A new way of seeing. A new definition of self
It all begins with an idea.
As I write this blog, I can’t help but acknowledge the overwhelming emotions I'm feeling now. I'm made aware of how it isn't about awards or accolades, it’s about how ‘I’ feel when I think about the journey I have taken. How far I have come since I first committed myself to pursue my dreams to set up my private practice.
As I celebrate this significant milestone. I have learnt in the grieving process, there is no pushing through to forget or get to the other side but rather, there is adjustment and acceptance. Grief is not a task you finish and move on, but an element of yourself- an alteration of your being. A new way of seeing, A new definition of self. So, in memory of my late father Emmanuel, I have dedicated the name of my company Kammanuel’s Counselling to him which is derived from both my name and my father’s name.
Henry Ford said, “One of the greatest discoveries you can make, and could be one of your greatest surprises, is to find out you can do what you were afraid you couldn't do”.
I encourage you to be firm in your resolve even if you must. ‘To do it afraid’ means to feel the fear and do what you believe you should do anyway. Let go of the need to compare your trajectory with that of others or seek external validation. What you want to do instead is reaffirm your power and motivate yourself to keep moving in the right direction. Something tells me you are going to move many mountains along the way!
I would also like to pay homage to all the phenomenal, beautiful strong women. Happy International Women’s Day. Today, let us fall in love with the woman in the mirror …. the one we see every day but seldom genuinely pay attention to…. let’s respect her for who she is. Today again let’s take nothing, not this moment, not this day, not even ourselves for granted. Let’s first love ourselves for who we are because the world consistently gives us the impression that we need to be something other than what we are.