Building Mental Fitness...

story continues from last week.

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Continued from last week…(post is above if you would like to refresh your memory)

I’m not handling this well. I’m beating myself up.

I was listening to Aunt Phoebe, my inner judge. I needed help.

I shared my frustrations in writing in community, an online writing space. My friend Kym, a mindset coach reached out with a beautiful comment and offered to help. I agreed. She helped me recognize and confront my inner judge. She taught me tools and strategies to build my mental muscles and improve my mindset.

One tool she offered was to close my eyes and rub my thumb and pointer finger together. She instructed me to focus on my sense of touch. My attention shifted to this simple movement.

I agreed to try this technique when Aunt Phoebe’s loud squeaky voice was all I could hear…there goes the judge again, and then I would close my eyes, and rub my thumb and finger together. I noticed the voice softened. 

Weird.  

Another tool Kym invited me to try was to find a photo of myself as a child and look at it throughout the day.

Why?

She wanted me to build empathy for myself, and looking at a childhood picture was a way in— a way for me to be less judgmental.

I appreciated this simple action and I enjoyed digging through my childhood pictures. The one I picked was of me running a road race, my playground. I was probably around eight years old. I looked so happy and content.

How could I talk mean to my eight-year-old self?

I placed the photo on my desk. I recognized a shift in my self-talk as I studied the photo at different parts of my day. My voice was kinder. My attitude was less judgmental. Kym reminded me that I didn’t need to change into anything new. I could offer acceptance and gratitude to Jeff and myself. 

Whenever Aunt Phoebe would sneak in or my inner hyper-achiever would shout, I had ways to take action and strategies to shift my mindset. I was building my mental fitness, slow and steady.    

I’m so grateful Kym reached out to me that day in my mess. She extended compassion, curiosity, and kindness and allowed me to share my struggles. I’m forever grateful for the tools she taught me.

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Are you curious about these tools? Kym offers some great resources on her website.

Thank you for reading.

Take good care,

Julie

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