Mantras, Lately
Thanks to my sister (recently) and Jess Lively (The Lively Show, two years ago) I am reading Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life by Dr. Joe Dispenza. As I text back and forth with my sister about the concepts in this book, she talks about having mantras each day.
I've tried mantras before with neutral feelings - no huge change, good or bad. But lately as I'm digging deep into my toxic thought patterns and perfectionism, mantras sounded like a useful tool.
See, I don't know what it is about my brain, but the general thoughts floating through on the daily are NOT helpful. They are mean, dispiriting, and unhelpful. Sometimes, I don't even know what I am saying to myself (the actual words don't come through), but I know I am yelling. Angrily screaming. Freakin' the F out. Not helpful AT ALL.
And so, in an effort to put down that "20-ton shield" of perfectionism as Brene Brown calls it, I figured, what the hell, let's try mantras.
It's been a few weeks and I have to say, when I can come up with a phrase that resonates with me, the rest of the day rides on that momentum.
A few of my recent mantras include:
I deserve and honor my need for rest
Rest is healing
Ease off the gas
I move at my own pace
I am my own best witness
The theme lately is to slow down - both physically and mentally. It's to rest, turn inward, and stop pushing as if I have somewhere to be and I am late. I do not, in fact, have anywhere to be, and therefore I am not late. I am just a woman who is still adjusting to being a stay-at-home mother, going through the back-to-school transition, and learning to be in her body. I am making small moves and choosing porch sitting, walking, reading, and sleeping when I am not parenting, straightening up, or being a supportive person to the other humans in my life.
These mantras are reminders to choose that slowing. They are small ways to test the theories I have about of living with the seasonal shift. They remind me of my commitment to myself and my needs.
Do you use mantras? If yes, what's your current one? How do you come up with a mantra that is right for you at the time? If no, why not? Do you have another tool to remind you of your commitment to yourself?