Many people from all walks of life are all too familiar with the overwhelming feelings of uncertainty and anxiousness, especially during stressful times like these when so much is happening in the world and people are trying to figure out how this will impact their lives. These feelings don't only arise as a response to world news, they can also appear in your career, your relationships, or any life circumstances.
I Got an A, That's Good, Right?
Many type A personalities thrive on structure, responsibility, and organization. You will often find these personalities in management or in authoritative roles. Type A personalities feel at their best when they are in control. They often try to stay ahead of the curve, armed and ready for whatever life throws their way, yet this can create much unnecessary stress and anxiety. If you classify yourself as a type A personality, learning that not everything in life needs to be controlled can be a helpful tool. Another popular trait often found in type A personalities is ambition. Now what if this ambition could apply to learning how to adapt to new challenges, instead of always trying to be the one on top? Uncertainty does not have to be the enemy; in fact, learning to embrace uncertainty from a place rooted deep within, by activating your self-awareness, can ignite more positive emotions, transform your reality, and eradicate the feelings of fear and uncertainty. Meditation and journaling are two of the most helpful ways to bring forth self-awareness. As with any new skill, meditation and/or journaling require practice, and some individuals may require more practice than others to feel the effects. Overtime, you will discover a new found sense of peace, a greater sense of self-awareness, and a freedom from unwelcome stress and anxiety.
Fear Doesn't Have A Hold On Me
Self-doubt and fear can be paralyzing emotions and can blind us to the best options right in front of us. Just because you have fear or are experiencing self doubt, does not mean you don't have the capacity to handle the challenges before you or the ability to personally grow and develop from the situation. Don't let past experiences or past disappointments undermine the possibilities of your future or the here and now. You have grown since your previous experience and you have the ability to create a different outcome. When you recognize that your fears and worries are an illusion, you will gain a sense of freedom from these emotions and you will learn to live more hopeful and fearless. This new fearlessness will transform your daily thoughts, feelings, and even your actions, making your life easier, more enjoyable, and (most importantly) free from anxiety.
Today Is A New Day
Once you have a greater understanding of where your anxiety comes from, you now have a
greater understanding on how to combat it. Starting your day with a strong morning routine encourages you to set a strong intention for the day. This very well could be the missing link in your life and the first step to activating your self-awareness. So many successful people share the same belief that a good day free of worry and anxiety starts with a strong morning routine. Step one: give yourself enough "me time". All too often, people sacrifice their self-importance before anything or anyone else. Remenber, you cannot give your best self to the world if your cup is empty! Begin this new journey by developing a strong sleep routine, going to bed and getting up the same time every morning. Even if you are not a morning person, waking up will start to feel more like a natural habit than a forced behavior of hitting the snooze button, over, and over, and over.
Step two: dedicate a portion of your morning to meditating or journaling to bring forth your self-awareness. This does not have to be a long session. You can start with 10 minutes and build out this time as you see fit. Use this time to journal about what you are grateful for, what would make this day great. If you choose to meditate, focus on the areas of your body where you feel most impacted by stress or anxiety and fill those areas with positive emotions.
Step three: make a checklist of tasks and/or goals for the day, prioritizing the most important ones first. Checking off these tasks and goals, one by one, will give you a great sense of accomplishment and prevent you from becoming overwhelmed or frazzled. If your list becomes too long, simply spread out these tasks/goals over several days or weeks.
Step four: incorporate exercise. Taking a morning walk for 20 - 30 minutes a day can help get the blood circulating in your body and leave you feeling invigorated to start your day. This does not need to be a strenuous activity. Start with a short distance at a slow pace and be present, admiring the nature around you. During your walk, take a few deep breaths of fresh air and feel your body come alive.
Now that you have set your intention to have a great day, free of stress and anxiety, continue your morning by resuming the remaining tasks of your normal morning routine. Remember to remain aware of how these small changes impact your day. Through repetition and strong practice you will experience a strong sense of self-awareness and you will feel less impacted by negative emotions of uncertainty, self-doubt, fear, stress, and anxiety.
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