Grow New or Grow Old?

You know the saying, “if you keep doing the same thing you will continue to get the same outcome.” We are continuously planting seeds with our thoughts, choices, and feelings. Are these seeds you are planting currently working for you? Are they helping you to grow into the version of you that you envision? Are they helping you to get unstuck? If you are like me, many of my thought patterns, my feelings, and the choices I make hold me back from being the person I most desire to be. I have to continuously ask myself, am I trying to grow into my current self or am I trying to grow the person I know is my true self? I also have to ask myself, what is holding me back from doing this work?

I get stuck in my old thought patterns and feelings that lead into making choices that no longer serve me and do not help me grow into the person I desire. Many of us have a lot of healing and work to do to get us to our true selves. Here are 3 beginning steps to change the patterns that are not supporting us to grow into the person we desire. For me, it is a daily practice that requires a gentleness to myself knowing that it is a journey and not just a destination.

3 simple practices to help you begin to grow into your true self.

1. Pick a feeling or thought you have about yourself. It could be that you feel unworthy, you feel not good enough, not smart enough, not strong enough, etc. Try to reframe that thought and make a choice to begin to challenge that thought. Instead of I feel unworthy, reframe it to, “I know it is hard for me to accept a compliment but I will begin to say thank you and give myself a moment to feel the kind words.” Write down your reframing thought and read it over daily so you can begin to make the choice to accept the new seed you are planting. It is helpful for me to sit with the feeling when I reframe a thought and notice any changes I feel in my body and mind.

1. In a vision board, you set your desires or wants and put it out to the universe. It is the idea that what you put in your vision you seek. Try using this concept to work on changing a thought or feeling about yourself that no longer serves you. Think of a quality you desire or that you believe represents your true self. Write it down, draw it, or find something that represents it. Each time you feel you are representing it or working towards it, celebrate. The small wins and victories are what brings you closer to your desires. It is ok to have fun with this and give yourself a little celebration party. Dance a little or give yourself a pat on the back.

1. Self-compassion is crucial in growing new thoughts and feelings. You deserve the same grace and forgiveness you give to others. Talk to yourself as if you are talking to a close friend. Remind yourself that you are just as deserving to grow and change from thoughts and feelings that are no longer serving you. Every time you begin to fall into old thought patterns, try to show yourself some compassion. Say something kind to yourself just as you would to a friend. You deserve the same love and compassion. Befriend yourself. This is one of the hardest things for me to do. I have to constantly remind myself to treat myself as I would treat a friend. I am a work in progress just like everyone else!

Planting new seeds takes a lot of love and care and so does planting new thoughts. Work on giving yourself the love and care you deserve. I am working on honoring the space to do the same. We are in this together!