In the therapy world, we’re all about how to change your thoughts to produce different behavioral patterns (why hello new neuropathways). We do this shit every day all day, but we believe it’s worth a revisit here because we all have a tendency to sing the same sad song over and over.
You know the one … the one where you are always overwhelmed, always tired, you feel like you never having enough time to do the things you love, you know what we’re talking about!!
One of the things I love about Marie Forleo is her sassy delivery of mantras and affirmations to address a struggle she’s having (and by proxy, one that you and I are probably having right now too)!
What are you saying to yourself all the time? What are you lamenting? What are you sick to death of doing or not doing?
A lot of times if we dig deeper (here’s where having your therapist do this with you can be a game changer), there are negative thought patterns that support our feelings around these things we’re not happy with.
One of Marie’s mantras which helped her RED LIGHT her negative behavior around working too much, was “I don’t do overwhelm.” Amen sister.
While we know having sooo much to do is a badge of honor (or it used to be), it’s really not a healthy practice for us to engage in daily. Sure, being occasionally overwhelmed is a normal part of life, but we’re here to say it should not be your daily feeling. Kudos to Marie for changing this destructive behavior!
So why not create some mantras/affirmations around your own broken records you keep playing?
6 mantras to help you change your thoughts
Let’s do some here really quick so you can try these on for size. We’ll start with the thought that’s keeping us stuck, and then reframe it…
1. I am so tired all the time – I am getting all the rest I need every day.
2. I feel so guilty not spending every moment with my kid(s) – I don’t do guilt.
3. I am so sick of this job – I am working for a place that honors me and where I feel fulfilled.
4. All I do is work; I never have any time to myself – I am taking time every day to do something I love.
5. I always have so much to do, I’ll never get it done – I don’t do overwhelm.
6. I’ll break things off with that person once I know they can handle it – I am lovingly releasing this person back into the universe where we are both loved and supported.
Ok you get the idea … we love creating these with you so ask your therapist to help you create ones if you are stuck.
What is cool about these mantras/affirmations is that you are slowly teaching your brain what your new reality IS, this is not wishful thinking nor fantastical play.
This is rooted in evidence based science. You CAN create new thoughts which will override those old, hurtful ones. Suddenly, you’ll realize that you’ve stopped saying yes to anything that drains you (cuz you know you don’t do overwhelm anymore), and you’ll find yourself reading on the porch a few times a week (cuz you’re making time to do things you love), etc.
What you’ve done here is changed the wording to be more assertive to your brain. Using “I don’t” in your mantras for example, is nearly 8 times more effective than saying “I can’t”. Whew, this is awesome data!
Saying “I don’t” feels like a choice … we feel more empowered, we feel assertive. Saying “I can’t” on the other hand, feels like we’re being deprived or tricking ourselves which doesn’t feel good.
Doing these mantras multiple times a day will completely change how you FEEL because you are changing how you THINK. LOVE THIS SO MUCH.
How to use these mantras to empower yourself & change your thoughts (and behavior)
Try it out! Let us know what you discover … this is a powerful trick I use with my clients and also with myself on the regular; I can attest to its power.
What have you got to lose? What you’re doing now isn’t working for you anymore.
- Whip out an index card
- List 3-4 new mantras right now
- Carry them around and say them to yourself all day.
- In 2 weeks, check in with yourself and see if your behavior has started changing. It’s magic!
As always, we are here for you if you need extra support during this rough time in our world. You can self-schedule here or send us an email.
We look forward to supporting you and being part of you tribe!
