Most days I have felt like I was just existing and wasn’t really thriving in my life. It really took action on my part, a learned ability to use discipline to create a new life and new personality of who I wanted to be despite the past trauma, the experiences that are keeping me stuck and not allowing me to move into my full potential.
I had to start every day on purpose in knowing what I really wanted, in setting my intention for that day, daily. Understanding that if it wasn’t me who was going to change my life then my life would never change.
Sometimes it takes people years to understand this concept to realize that it is self-awareness that is going to bring change into your life, that unless you make the awaken effort to want to change you my friend are not going to change.
That is why today I wanted to give you some of the strategies that I used to begin the change in my life, to give you the push to show you that no matter what is going on in the world around you, you have the strength already to make the movements that you want to make. Sometimes these movement make take some time to actualize, meaning it probably isn’t’ the best to quit a job that is keeping you down until you have successfully got the replacement, then you drop that fast and never look back.
One of the concepts that I have used and still use to this day is that everything in life is given life the moment that we attach emotion to it. If you don’t attach any emotion then that situation, or event doesn’t take life within your life. But this is a decision that you have to make, and you have to do it because you know what it important to you, you know your values, you know who you are within your new self and you know who you want to be.
If you aren’t paying attention or growing into your new self-creating that thriving life with that plan that you are setting into place, it will never happen. I just recently realized that when I am planning and creating my future, I know what my ultimate goal is, I know what I want to achieve a decade down the road, but I really only pay attention to the first few steps and plan it out that way.
I have fought with trying to create the whole plan for my life and then when I would put it into place, I would get overwhelmed and unable to see it through. Until I decided that only thing that mattered was the next few steps and creating the plan for that was I able to build the life I wanted.
Suffering is a choice, and I know that some reading this might disagree with me but let me explain myself a bit. When you are going through a painful traumatic experience it creates new neurons in your brain that signal that something in your life is out of the ordinary, it creates chaos. Now when you are living in a system of chaos for so long your mind begins to see this as a regular occurrence and becomes natural to you, just like a person who lives on the street because they are addicted to drugs didn’t start out that way, but their mind needed more of the feeling and it kept getting harder and harder to change.
You see a habit it created over time; it doesn’t matter if it is a good habit or a bad habit, the mind doesn’t know the difference it just knows that when you do something over and over again it creates new connections and begins to make it normal. This is how people stay in suffering, and it becomes a choice every single day.
But just as addicts do you have a choice too, to decide that this isn’t that life that you want, that there is something that must change in your life. Sometimes people are so far that they need help, and this is done through therapy and counselling, and sometimes you just need loving support around you to help you begin to grow into your new life.
I did it in both ways, I tried to speak to a therapist and counceler and well it really wasn’t for me and then I spoke with friends and family, and they are the ones who pulled me out of my suffering pit, I began to realize that there were changes in my life that if I wanted them changed, I needed to change them.
This is known as PTSD growth or making a shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. I understood that I needed to take these limiting beliefs that I was having about my personal recovery and growth and begin to build them into the highs that I needed to thrive in the life I wanted.
This wasn’t something that happened over night, or even over a few months, there are triggers that I still deal with to this day, Like I still haven’t been in the hospital where my son was diagnosed, or I was told he was going to die. But I have built many other resilience from that and now I don’t have difficulty talking about it or showing people the path that I took to have the life that I live now.
But you have to begin with knowing what you want, you have to understand that the life you want is right within your grasp if you just reach out and go for it.
Personal growth strategies can complement the support you receive and help you continue on your journey from surviving to thriving. Here are some personal growth strategies you can consider:
1. Journaling: Keeping a journal can be a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal growth. Write about your experiences, emotions, and thoughts related to your PTSD recovery. This practice can help you gain insights into your progress, identify patterns, and track your personal growth over time.
2. Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help you stay present, manage stress, and foster a deeper connection with yourself. Mindfulness techniques can be especially beneficial in managing anxiety and intrusive thoughts that may arise from PTSD.
3. Positive Affirmations: Incorporate positive affirmations into your daily routine. Repeat uplifting and empowering statements to yourself regularly. This practice can help shift negative thought patterns and cultivate a more optimistic outlook on life.
4. Continuing Education: Engage in continuous learning and personal development. Whether it's taking a course, reading books on mental health, trauma, or personal growth, or attending workshops, expanding your knowledge can provide new perspectives and insights.
5. Challenge Limiting Beliefs: Identify and challenge any limiting beliefs you may have about yourself, your recovery, or your future. Work on transforming negative self-perceptions into more empowering and compassionate beliefs.
6. Gratitude Practice: Cultivate a gratitude practice by regularly acknowledging and appreciating the positive aspects of your life. Practicing gratitude can shift your focus from what's lacking to what's abundant, fostering a greater sense of well-being.
7. Embrace Creativity: Engage in creative activities that inspire you, such as writing, painting, dancing, or playing music. Creativity can be therapeutic, allowing you to express emotions and experiences in a unique and meaningful way.
8. Volunteer or Give Back: Contributing to your community or helping others can be a fulfilling way to find purpose and meaning in your life. Volunteering can also provide a sense of connection and belonging.
9. Practice Forgiveness: Work on forgiving yourself and others for past experiences or traumas that may be holding you back. Forgiveness can be a liberating process that helps you move forward with a lighter heart.
10. Set Boundaries: Learn to set healthy boundaries to protect your well-being and energy. Recognize when you need to say no to certain situations or people to prioritize your mental health.
Remember that personal growth is a continuous journey, and progress may not always be linear. Be patient with yourself and practice self-compassion as you explore these strategies and continue to grow and thrive.
Comments