Solutions for Life’s Challenges
Some of the more stressful moments in our lives are self-inflicted. – Surprised?
Stress due to low self-esteem, procrastination and holding on to toxic emotions are just a few of life’s challenges that we can actually do something about. Below are practical steps that you can take to reduce your stress levels starting today and they are totally free. Most of them you already know, but it never hurts to be reminded. So take a few moments to review the list below. Start taking control and making meaningful changes that will enrich your life.
Silence Your Internal Critic
When we were young, our internal critic was a trusted companion who had an active and positive role in our lives. A quite inner voice that helped to keep us balanced in our thinking and stopped us from doing crazy or harmful things. Unfortunately for some of us, that inner voice has become louder and more critical. It has pre-recorded messages like “you’re fat”, “you’re stupid” or “you are such a l-o-s-e-r” that it plays over and over. At some point our internal critic started dispensing unsolicited toxic and negative self-talk into our minds. Constantly assaulting our self-esteem and magnifying everything out of proportion. We need to take control this internal conversation reintroducing balance and perspective into the relationship.
If what the internal critic is saying makes you lose confidence, feel bad about yourself or feel condemned in any way, dismiss it immediately. Counter these negative thoughts by replacing them with positive ones about yourself and the situation. Begin to see things in a more positive way. At first this may feel like you are learning a foreign language, but don’t give up! It takes patience and persistence to change – taking control of random toxic thoughts and choosing to be positive will transform your life.
Conflicts Happen
Give yourself and others a break. No one is perfect. Realize this and apply in your life. We all make mistakes, errors in judgment or have misunderstandings. Meditating on them or reliving them, over and over, cannot undo what has happened. These moments are opportunities for real and meaningful change in our lives.
Next Time instead of obsessing about the conflict:
- STOP and acknowledge the situation
- LEARN from it…what if anything, you would do differently?
- Take steps to CORRECT it if possible
- then MOVE ON
- Most importantly, LET IT GO!
Forgive
Life happens. People are human. When we hang on to unforgiveness we are not hurting the other person. But in truth we are hurting ourselves. We are denying ourselves the opportunity to extend grace and kindness to others. What a shame. Because in doing so we deny ourselves the ability to freely receive that same grace and kindness when we need it most. Forgiveness is free. It costs you nothing and allows you to live your life in freedom. – I highly recommend it
Please take a moment to read “Top 10 Solutions for Life’s Challenges” for more in depth information on how counseling can assist you in living a balanced, healthy and happy life.
For more information call 407.415.2493
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About the Author
Melody Kipp, PhD, LMHC is the President and CEO of Life & Work Soulutions, Inc. She holds an earned Doctorate degree in Psychology with a specialization in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Applied Psychology with a Clinical-Counseling emphasis. Dr. Kipp has been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MH5137) in the State of Florida since 1999 and is a State of Florida Qualified Clinical Supervisor for Mental Health Counselor Interns and Marriage & Family Therapy Interns. [...]
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