I am currently writing my newsletter from a horizontal position on my couch with the intent to talk about the theme of rest. This has been a consistent theme with my clients recently. Yet, as I type out the words, I notice a voice in my head saying: “don’t share that 'horizontal' detail, people will think you are being lazy and not effective.”
Ha! Right at this very moment, I notice resistance to rest because of a misguided belief that it isn’t productive. It's comical how judge-y our minds can be, isn't it?
I share this because this is how deeply conditioned ALL of our minds are. I noticed this belief that work needs to be hard and uncomfortable. That I can’t do work and be in a restful state.
We all have certain images and beliefs about what being productive/effective should look like.
For instance, I witnessed a belief that if I was properly being a “writer”, I would be sitting at a desk with my back straight, my butt glued to the chair and my feet on the ground, not moving until I was complete.
However, I know I do my best writing when I am in a cozy corner of my couch, curled up and cross-legged, allowing myself to mindfully munch on a sweet as I dip into my coffee for sensory inspiration. When I give myself permission to do what feels right for me, I feel my whole nervous system relax, and I feel empowered to be my authentic self.
Our minds hold so many conscious and unconscious beliefs about how to live our lives. How to work. How to love. How to rest. How to be a good ____ (parent, employee, leader, woman, partner, human, etc). The pressure to constantly live up to these expectations is exhausting and toxic for our mental, physical, soulful and emotional wellbeing.
This month, can you get curious and quiet to hear the inner voices of judgment and be willing to untangle?
Look at the beautiful flowers and buds of Spring, ask yourself and explore the following (or better yet, grab your journal):
What 'should' beliefs am I currently holding on to in my personal and professional life?
What do I actually want to believe?
What permission do I want to grant myself so that I can live in alignment with my beliefs?
What would it feel and look like to settle into that permission?
If you are wanting more 1:1 support to untangle from beliefs that are holding you back from living your authentic self, schedule a connection call here to see if working together is a fit. I have 2 coaching spots open this month.