I’ve been experimenting with a new habit. For one week, I’ve been listening to affirmation-meditation videos before bed and in the morning. Affirmations are mantras which sort of hypnotize us to change negative thoughts we use about ourselves into empowering ones. In my book on Relationships, I describe negative thoughts as ‘negative self-talk’. Affirmations which counter negative self-talk look something like this:
I am courage. I am strength. I am loveable. I am capable of doing whatever I set my mind to.
See the video version below.
YouTuber, Jake Ducey, explains that we have thousands of subconscious thoughts every day, and often, we repeat mantras to ourselves that make us consistently feel invaluable and unworthy. For example, I’ve many times said to myself, ‘Gosh, I’m so stupid! Why did I just do that?’ Or, ‘I’m such an idiot!’ Although we might not pay attention to these messages, we are actually disempowering ourselves, strengthening limiting beliefs, and this will prevent us from ever giving ourselves a fighting chance of reaching our true potential.
In order to change these types of thoughts, we need to notice them first, and then begin to change them to something else. So in my personal case, for the purpose of increasing emotional strength, I’ve been meditating every morning and night for about ten minutes each time, listening to affirmation mantras.
But this new habit has produce a brilliant result. I’ve realized that I need to be aware of how I feel and what is affecting me. I can refuse to be a passive recipient to negative thoughts or situations, or allow these thoughts to disempower or handicap me from being productive or feeling happy. I’m becoming more self-aware.
On post-it notes, I’ve started writing down a measurement of my emotions. 5/5 means I feel 100%. 2/5 means I feel pretty low. For the last few days, I’ve been logging these fluctuations in mood or feelings, and it has had the result of helping me identify what I allow to cause me to feel low.
I’m considering factors like my morning routine, which usually leaves me feeling strong by 11am. Meals and what is leaving me with very low energy, and even suggest food intolerances (I think I may have an intolerance to cheese). I’m beginning to notice what I enjoy doing at work, and which co-workers I enjoy spending time with. As a teacher, I’m even beginning to change what I do in my lessons to make the experience more interesting and enjoyable for me.
When I feel quite low, I’ve been trying a Tony Robbins technique to make myself feel stronger. He explained at one of his seminars that even the way we stand can change our emotions. He asked, what would your standing position look like if you felt strong and confident? Would you curl up, look downward, and cower away from others, or would you straighten up, push your chest out, lift your chin? What are your arms and legs doing? Next, walk around your room like you have a cape on your back. Imagine you are a super hero (whichever is your favourite). How would you walk? Do it, now! Smile. Do that for a couple of minutes with an open mind, and the intention to change how you feel. Then observe your emotions.
I use this technique whenever I need a pick me up in my day. That means almost every day.
When you begin writing down your feelings throughout your day, you are able to note what is impacting your mood, what is draining you, or who gives you energy and empowers you and who doesn’t. Learn from these situations and find a way to change your feelings and energy throughout the day.
The negative or positive energy that we have affects our daily happiness, and affects our interactions with others. Our energy rubs off on others we interact with, and these people then pass that energy to others. What type of person do you like being around? Be that person.
Thank you for reading this article.
Tasha
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