We all know how hard it can be to try and work or be productive in a cluttered environment, but few of us make the same association when it comes to our own minds. It can be hard to switch off when there are so many thoughts buzzing through your head at once. An overwhelming surge of mind boggling worries are constantly flying around my head at unimaginable and incomprehensible speeds, yet I struggled for so long to learn how to tame these and make my mind a tidy, organised and calm environment that I want to exist in.
Sometimes, to purge your mind you have to take a step back and try and look objectively at the bigger picture (something incredibly hard to do when you can only ever observe from your subjective mind driven view point). But once you understand what is important and logical and rid your mind of the illogical doubts life becomes so much more enjoyable.
When I was in a fairly dark point in my life, someone told me that we see things not as they are, but as we are. Meaning that when our own mind is stuck in a place of worry and anxiety and misery, we look for these traits in the world around us. No two things can occupy the same space at the same time; it is a scientific impossibility, therefore you will never achieve a calm and happy mind when that space is already occupied by negativity. It is one thing to say or think something, but another thing all together to believe something.
I was not brought up religious, but just because I lack a belief in God does not mean a lack belief all together. Belief is one of the strongest concepts conceivable, it is the complete, undoubted acceptance of something to be true even when proof is impossible. It was belief that got me to where I am now. Belief that despite the evidence of how I had felt in the past, I could and would get myself into a happier space. The belief that I would not fail made sure that that very premise came true. I believed in myself and by doing so placed a transcendental power on my own mind to get itself to the place where it needed to be. I had the realisation that I needed to stop letting people who did so little for me control so much of my mind, and by believing that I could I took back that control for myself.
Below are a few little tips to do the same yourself:
1. Start every day with a positive thought
2. Every time you look in the mirror, tell yourself something you like about your appearance
3. Don't let other peoples emotions change yours
4. You are in charge of your mind, don't let negativity rent a space there
5. At the end of each day write down something you have to be grateful for
6. Believe in yourself
'And God said "love your enemy" and I obeyed him and loved myself' - Khalil Gibran
I find that I have a lack of confidence in myself, especially around exam times! At the end of the day, I used to think of 2 positives and 1 negative of the day, I would then tell myself how to fix that negative into something more positive for the next day! xx
ReplyDeleteemilyjanewebb.blogspot.co.uk
I was the exact same, I was my own worst enemy and had absolutely no self confidence, i would be lying if i said i felt completely different but i do feel so much stronger now! thats such a lovely idea xx
DeleteI loved this post so much. I recently bought 'The Magic' by Rhonda Byrne off Amazon and I'm trying to practice gratitude each day in order to turn my life into something positive and fruitful instead of living a life of stress and negativity and I have to say it's definitely starting to work already, even though the changes are only little I find myself able to see the positives so much easier and I already feel like a stronger person.
ReplyDeleteI've only got one negative thing renting space in my head right now and I'm pushing him further and further out with each day going by because I refuse to be distracted from all the good things by one person that doesn't deserve my time. xo
LJLV | UK Personal Style
aw thank you Lucy! That sounds like an amazing book I will definitely have to look into it! That's such a fantastic outlook to have, it is a horrible feeling when other people begin to occupy your mind and your own self worth and health is pushed aside. xxx
DeleteAnother great post Amy, I know how it feels to be your own worst enemy, especially with regards to comparing myself to others (something I know I shouldn't do, but can't stop doing anyway!) Your tips are really helpful, especially the one about letting other peoples emotions affect yours.. I think it's really important to surround yourself with positive people; when you're feeling negative anyway it's not helpful to have toxic people in your life, especially those who love to bring you down more xx
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Thank you Nisha! I think we are all a bit guilty of comparing ourselves to others. Aww thank you, I could not agree more! xxx
DeleteAs I was reading this I visioned myself, so many of the things you were saying are easily reflected in my life! This post has shed light on aspects within my self I need to change. Thank you so much! I absolutely love this post, you are such an inspiration! Thank you
ReplyDeleteXx
growingtoindependence.blogspot.com.au
aw im so glad you could identify with it! xx
DeleteThis is lovely and i'm sure it will help and inspire a lot of people, the photo is beautiful too x x
ReplyDeleteImogensarah.blogspot.co.uk
Love this post! Very inspiring, your whole blog is beautiful too X
ReplyDeletethank you lovely xx
DeleteThis is such a lovely post and your blog is super pretty <3 xoxo
ReplyDeleteaw thank you :) xx
DeleteWow Amy I loved this. The part when you said if your mind is in a negative and anxious state you will look at the world like that too. I never thought of it like that and that is so true. Beautiful writing my dear xxx
ReplyDeletehttp://lilliemysel.blogspot.com
thank you so much! xx
DeleteLove this post Amy, so refreshing to read an entry that shows others that we all go through things and need reminding that our perception on life can change our everyday life, if we let it! I've been thinking of doing the 100 day challenge on Instagram recently, and after reading this I have even more motivation to start! xx
ReplyDeleteDetails of Dress
aw thank you! you should do it sounds like a great challenge! xx
DeleteIt is true that we see things depending on how we feel - when I have negative thoughts about things around me, it's usually because I'm in a really bad mood, which of course just makes it worse. Thank you for writing this, I could do with listening to those 6 points :) x
ReplyDeletevanilladaisyblog.blogspot.com
Youre welcome lovely, i hope you can take them onboard :) xx
DeleteLovely post, and I do think stepping back and seeing situations from the outside is so valuable, but of course so hard to do!
ReplyDeleteAnnabel ♥
Mascara & Maltesers
I'd also say live in the moment, that's one of the most important things for me! If you truly live in the now you focus on all the good things happening right now instead of worrying about what bad things might happen...
ReplyDelete-X-
oh yes i completely agree! xx
DeleteThis is great post, I'd say take a bit of time just to sit back and relax, whether thats a nice bath or a cup of tea x
ReplyDeletethank you lovely! i agree, theres nothing better than a lovely bath xx
DeleteI love the quote at the end! It's so powerful and meaningful - at least to me! How often have I noticed, that I am not the best person I could be - and the reason for that is me,myself & I. And realizing this and still knowing that one of the first steps is to love yourself the way you are is super difficult & a journey.
ReplyDelete:) Thanks for the amazing post!
Here is a post on dealing with setbacks & disappointments, for anyone going through a rough phase: http://thesoulscribble.blogspot.co.at/2015/02/lesson-learned-1-dealing-with-major.html
xoxo Amelie
I love it too, its such a great quote isnt it! xx
DeleteAbsolutely love the quote at the end. I can relate to feeling like my own worst enemy...my goal this year is to replace self-punishing thoughts with positive ones. After six weeks of working on it, I have to say my outlook about myself is definitely improving...and amazingly, so is my outlook toward others.
ReplyDeletexo Ashley from <a href="http://www.teajambread.com/'>Tea with Jam and Bread</a>
Thank you lovely, me too! xx
DeleteI imagine it took a lot for you to write this post. You're not alone in having dark moments and I think it really helps when people are open and honest about it, it can definitely help others. Well done! Shel x
ReplyDeletehttp://jaybirdblogs.blogspot.co.uk/
Aw thank you so much xx
DeleteHi, I just stumbled on your blog from Chriselle's blog. I really enjoyed this post! Looking at all the comments, a lot of us can relate. The best thing we can do for ourselves is to believe completely in ourselves, that alone gives us strength to push back when the world throws 'No' at us, and all other negative things. Also, the last quote is brilliant, love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post.
Lin
A great post and one i can definitely relate to as everything seems to be busy and i would agree that sometimes its a great idea to take a step back, i could do with putting your tips into practice xx
ReplyDeletethank you xx
DeleteFantastic post, very inspiring! I love it :) I love your 6 tips that everyone should do as well :)
ReplyDeleteAbby xx
www.ohabbyjane.blogspot.co.uk
aw thankyou ! xx
DeleteThis is very beautiful post! Very inspirational and gives motivation! Thank you for that!
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thank you lovely xx
DeleteThis is a great post Amy. You are lovely xx
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aw thank you xx
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