Help! I Need to Declutter My Mind – 15 Steps to Declutter Mind

February 7, 2024 by Esther Adekoya

Help! I need to declutter my mind

Where the mind goes…the man follows – Joyce Meyer

Take care of your mind so it can tread the right path and remain.

Hear what Nancy said, ‘I’m finding it difficult to connect to my mind. Most times it seems stuff get mixed up in my mind and getting it out gives me a lot of mental stress.’

‘For me, I encountered great difficulty because of tangled thoughts. Being productive with my mind is such a hard task,’ chipped in Richard

‘Finishing tasks is my struggle, lots of non-essentials get in the way and hinder good outcomes, added Sandra.

Professor Don looked at his students and tried to put their complaints together. ‘What you need is a mind declutter and then you’re good.’

‘Prof, my challenge is information overload. I bite more than I can chew and I get stuck.’ Gina said with a raised eyebrow and lifted her shoulder with outstretched arms.

‘ I want you all to listen to the following Tell-tale signs. A cluttered mind can manifest itself in various ways, which can affect your mental well-being and overall cognitive function.

Causes of Declutter Mind

Difficulty Concentrating: A common sign of mind or mental clutter is when you struggle to focus on tasks and easily get distracted.
Forgetfulness: Forgetting important details, appointments, or tasks may indicate that your mind is overwhelmed with information and you need fresh space or declutter.
Feeling Overwhelmed: Constantly feeling overwhelmed or anxious, even in seemingly simple situations, suggests that your mind may be cluttered with stressors.
Procrastination: Delaying tasks or avoiding responsibilities can be a sign that your mind is cluttered with conflicting thoughts and priorities.
Mind Racing: Experiencing a racing mind with a constant stream of thoughts, ideas, and worries can be a clear indication of mental clutter.
Lack of Clarity: Feeling confused or uncertain about your goals, priorities, or decision-making may suggest mental clutter.
Physical Tension: Physical symptoms like tension headaches, muscle tightness, or other stress-related issues can be linked to mental clutter.
Difficulty Sleeping: Insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns may be a sign that your mind is not able to relax and unwind.
Increased Irritability: If you find yourself becoming more irritable, frustrated, or easily agitated, it could be a result of mental clutter.
Decreased Creativity: A cluttered mind may hinder your ability to think creatively or come up with innovative solutions.
Inability to Make Decisions: Difficulty making decisions, even simple ones, may suggest an overload of choices or conflicting thoughts in your mind.
Constant Worrying: Excessive worrying about the future or things beyond your control can contribute to mental clutter.
Lack of Motivation: A cluttered mind may lead to a lack of motivation and enthusiasm for activities you once enjoyed.
Feeling Disconnected: Feeling disconnected from yourself or others may indicate that your mind is preoccupied with too many thoughts or concerns.

Steps to Declutter Your Mind

If you recognize these signs in yourself, follow these proactive steps to declutter your mind. Creating a mental space that is clear and focused can contribute to improved well-being and a greater sense of control over your life and create a more focused and peaceful mindset:

Prioritize and Set Goals: Identify your priorities and set clear goals. This helps you direct your mental energy toward what truly matters and reduces the mental noise from conflicting tasks.
To-Do Lists: Create daily or weekly to-do lists to organize your tasks. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps to make them less overwhelming.
Mind Dump: Take a few minutes to write down all the thoughts, tasks, and ideas swirling in your mind. This “mind dump” helps externalize your thoughts and makes them easier to manage.
Organize Information: Use tools like notebooks, digital apps, or calendars to organize information and deadlines. Having a systematic approach to information management can reduce mental clutter.
Time Blocking: Allocate specific blocks of time to different tasks or activities. This helps you focus on one thing at a time and reduces mental multitasking.
Learn to Say No: It’s essential to set boundaries and learn to say no when necessary. Overcommitting can lead to mental overwhelm.
Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness or meditation practices to bring your attention to the present moment. This can help calm your mind and reduce unnecessary thoughts.
Limit Information Intake: Reduce the amount of information overload by being selective about the media you consume. Limit your exposure to negative news and social media if it contributes to mental clutter.
Establish Routines: Develop daily routines that provide structure and predictability. Routines can help automate certain aspects of your day, freeing up mental space for more important decisions.
Delegate Tasks: If possible, delegate tasks that others can handle. You don’t have to do everything yourself, and sharing responsibilities can lighten your mental load.
Take Breaks: Schedule breaks throughout your day to rest and recharge. Stepping away from work or stressful situations can help clear your mind and improve focus when you return.
Reflect and Evaluate: Regularly reflect on your goals, values, and priorities. Evaluate whether your current commitments align with these and make adjustments as needed.
Practice Gratitude: Cultivate a positive mindset by practicing gratitude. Focus on the things you are thankful for, which can shift your perspective and reduce mental clutter.
Seek Support: Share your thoughts and concerns with a trusted friend, family member, or therapist. Talking about your feelings can be therapeutic and provide a fresh perspective.
Limit Multitasking: Multitasking can lead to mental fatigue and decreased efficiency. Focus on one task at a time to improve concentration and reduce mental clutter.

Remember that decluttering your mind is an ongoing process, and finding what works best for you may require some experimentation. By incorporating these strategies into your routine, you can create a more organized and focused mental space.

Do yourself this big favour as we surf into the new year so you can increase your output and productivity.

Self-Acceptance – Key to Building a Healthy and Positive Relationship

February 7, 2024 by Esther Adekoya

Self-Acceptance

Self-acceptance is the key to building a healthy and positive relationship with oneself.

Key Components of Self-Acceptance

Self-Compassion: You must learn to treat yourself with kindness and understanding, especially in the face of challenges or mistakes. This involves offering the same compassion to yourself as you would offer to a friend.
Self-Appraisal: You need to have a realistic and balanced view of yourself, and acknowledge your strengths and areas for growth without overly criticizing or inflating your abilities.
Self-Approval: Self-acceptance is about relying on internal validation and approval rather than seeking constant validation from others. Understanding that external opinions do not solely determine your worth. Look inward and capture your real personhood.
Self-Love: One thing you must always do is cultivate genuine love and care for yourself. This involves prioritizing self-care and making healthy choices that contribute to your overall well-being.

Self-talk: Be watchful and sensitive about the self-conversation or inner conversation you carry in your mind. What do you tell yourself? Are they positive or negative words?

“I am a good and caring person.”

“I am capable of achieving success in my life.”

“I am intelligent.”

“I am not alone in this. I know there are people who love me and will be there for me when I need them.” etc

WHAT IS SELF-ACCEPTANCE?

Self-acceptance is the ability to embrace and fully accept oneself, including one’s strengths, weaknesses, quirks, and imperfections. It involves acknowledging and appreciating your individuality without judgment or the need for external validation.

1. Embrace What Makes You Unique

A good place to start is to think of the things that make you special. Ask yourself how these differences may benefit you in the future and how they add value to your life.

2. Let go of the Things you can’t Change

It’s important not to focus on the things you can’t change. You may find it helpful to write a letter to yourself about letting go of what you can’t change and welcoming the things you love about yourself. Self-acceptance is essential for your mental and emotional well-being. It’s important to learn to love yourself and the things that make you unique.

Self-acceptance is learning to love yourself, inside and out. It’s about letting go of the things you can’t change and appreciating what makes you unique.

3. Identify your Strengths

Write down the things you’re good at and/or love to do (e.g. sports, watching movies, music, art, etc.). Practicing these activities regularly can help you feel more confident in your abilities.

4. Set Goals

Set a few realistic goals for yourself and create a plan to meet them (this may also help with your self-esteem).

Don’t forget to reward yourself when you meet a goal!

5. Celebrate Your Accomplishments

Make a list of everything you’ve accomplished so far and add to it regularly. Post your list someplace where you can see it often. Be proud of yourself!

6. Plan ahead

If you can, try to avoid the people and/or things that challenge your self-acceptance.

8. Show Gratitude

There’s so much in our lives that we can be grateful for. Get two jars and label it Gratitude Jar and the other Happening Jar.

At the end of each day, write down what you are grateful for and what happened that overwhelmed you or got you angry. At the end of each year, you will be surprised at how much God has done for you/saved you from.

8. Be Kind to Yourself

Consider a few things you can do to treat yourself and spend quality time on your own (e.g. taking a warm bath, going for a walk in nature, going to the spa to be pampered, etc.).

It’s also important to take care of yourself by eating right, sleeping enough, and exercising regularly.

9. Think Positively

Remember to speak kindly to yourself and turn any self-critical, negative thoughts into positive thoughts.

Don’t be too hard on yourself or compare yourself to others. Positive thinking naturally draws positive energy to you. If you want to practice this, you can have your time frame. It’s a personal decision

10. Get Involved

Try a new extracurricular activity to learn more about yourself, what you enjoy, and what you’re good at.

You can NEVER get it wrong with volunteering, the feeling of satisfaction is usually awesome. I’m sure you don’t want to deprive yourself of this.

11. Find Support

You can always share your feelings with people you trust such as family and friends. (You could even try asking them to name two or three things they like about you.)

In conclusion, everyone’s journey to self-acceptance is different, but you can learn to be comfortable in your skin. NEVER compare yourself to anyone else

What is the opposite of self-acceptance?

self-rejection
self-abasement
self-contempt
self-denigration
self-disgust
self-hatred
self-loathing
mortification
humiliation

Don’t do any of this opposite to yourself !!!

Emotional Control and Regulation

February 7, 2024 by Esther Adekoya

Emotional Control and Regulation

Sally sat down with a deep sigh and fuming at the same time. Her head burns hot and her body generates heat. She had just finished giving a piece of her mind to her colleague who stepped on her foot. Everyone knows she’s a no-nonsense person. No one dared cross the line and anyone who does would bear the brunch of her wrath.

The adjoining door to her office opened and Mr Benneth, their HR Director entered. He looked in the direction of Sally and their eyes locked. He beckoned to her to come and see him. Sally sighed. Without a doubt, she knew she couldn’t escape a query this time if she managed to escape a dismissal.

Emotions are powerful and can override thoughts and influence actions.

Our emotions have a huge amount of power over our choices and actions – and we can either become a master or a slave to them.

When you’re a slave to your emotions, they can motivate you to do things that are negative and destructive. For example, feeling angry while in a heated argument and then retaliating with insults or aggression. Resulting in lots of disruption and disharmony on sets. This will affect the spirit of unity and purpose.

And when you’re a master of your emotions, they can motivate you to do things that are positive and constructive. For example, feeling inspired by someone and then using that as fuel to do something creative, such as write, paint, act with great excitement, dance or make music.

Understanding Emotional Control and Regulation

Emotional control and regulation refer to the ability to manage and modulate one’s emotions effectively. It involves understanding, expressing, and responding to emotions in a balanced and constructive way. Developing emotional regulation skills is essential for mental well-being, building positive relationships, and navigating life’s challenges.

Here are some strategies to enhance emotional control and regulation:

Self-Awareness: Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness techniques to increase awareness of your emotions without judgment. Mindfulness involves being present in the moment and observing your thoughts and feelings.
Identifying Emotions: Label Your Emotions: Identify and label your emotions. This can help you understand what you are feeling and why.
Healthy Outlets for Expression: Articulate Feelings: Healthily express your emotions, whether through verbal communication, writing, or artistic expression. Bottling up emotions can lead to increased stress.
Pause and Reflect: Take a Breath: Before reacting impulsively, take a deep breath. This pause allows you to gain perspective and respond more thoughtfully.
Coping Strategies: Develop Coping Mechanisms: Identify healthy coping mechanisms that work for you, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time in nature. These activities can help regulate emotions and reduce stress.
Cognitive Restructuring: Challenge Negative Thoughts: Practice cognitive restructuring by challenging negative or distorted thoughts. Replace irrational thoughts with more balanced and realistic ones.
Problem-Solving: Address Underlying Issues: If possible, identify and address the root causes of your emotions. Developing effective problem-solving skills can contribute to better emotional regulation.
Social Support: Connect with Others: Share your feelings with trusted friends, family, or a mental health professional. Social support can provide comfort and perspective.
Set Boundaries: Establish Limits: Learn to set healthy boundaries to protect your emotional well-being. Saying “no” when necessary is an important part of self-care.

Time Management: Prioritize Tasks: Effective time management can reduce feelings of being overwhelmed and stressed, contributing to better emotional control.
Regular Exercise: Physical Activity: Engage in regular exercise, as it has been shown to have positive effects on mood and emotional well-being.
Healthy Lifestyle Habits: Balanced Diet and Sleep: Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and sufficient sleep. Physical well-being contributes to emotional well-being.
Seek Professional Help: Therapy: If emotional struggles persist, consider seeking the guidance of a mental health professional. Therapy can provide tools and strategies for improving emotional regulation.

Emotional control and regulation are skills that can be developed and refined over time. It has built resilience in you over time and helps balance your emotional health.

Importance of Emotional Control

This skill is crucial for several reasons:

Improved Decision-Making:

Emotional control allows individuals to make decisions based on rational thinking rather than being swayed by intense or impulsive emotions. This can lead to better choices in both personal and professional life.

Enhanced Interpersonal Relationships:

People with emotional control are better equipped to handle conflicts and disagreements calmly. This contributes to healthier and more constructive interpersonal relationships, whether in friendships, family dynamics, or the workplace.

Stress Reduction:

Emotional control helps in managing stress by preventing emotional reactions that can escalate tension. Individuals who can regulate their emotions are more likely to approach challenges with a clear and focused mindset.

Increased Resilience:

Emotional control is closely tied to resilience—the ability to bounce back from adversity. When faced with setbacks or challenges, individuals with strong emotional control can maintain a positive outlook and persevere through difficulties.

Enhanced Mental Well-Being:

Managing emotions effectively contributes to overall mental well-being. It reduces the risk of emotional disorders, such as anxiety and depression, and promotes a more positive and balanced emotional state.

Improved Communication:

Emotional control enhances communication skills. People who can regulate their emotions are better able to express themselves clearly, listen attentively, and engage in constructive dialogue without becoming overly emotional or reactive.

Better Conflict Resolution:

In both personal and professional settings, conflicts are inevitable. Emotional control allows individuals to approach conflicts with a level head, facilitating more effective and solution-oriented conflict resolution.

Increased Empathy:

Emotional control is linked to emotional intelligence, which includes the ability to understand and empathize with the emotions of others. This contributes to more meaningful and positive social interactions.

Career Success:

Emotional control is highly valued in the workplace. Employees who can manage their emotions effectively are often more adaptable, resilient, and capable of handling pressure, leading to increased career success and advancement opportunities.

Health Benefits: Chronic stress and negative emotional states can have detrimental effects on physical health. Emotional control contributes to stress reduction, potentially leading to improved physical well-being.
Positive Impact on Others:

Individuals who demonstrate emotional control often inspire and positively influence those around them. This can create a more positive and supportive environment in personal and professional settings.

Personal Growth:

Emotional control is a key component of personal development. It allows individuals to learn from their experiences, adapt to change, and continually grow as individuals.

In summary, emotional control is vital for navigating the complexities of life, fostering positive relationships, and achieving both personal and professional success. A great workplace skill.

11 Ways to Build Inner Strength

February 7, 2024 by Esther Adekoya

11 Ways to Build Inner Strength There was a soft knock on Rose’s door. Rose ignored it for sometime but decided to open the door when the person at the other end would not go away and leave her in peace. She stood up to open the door and Ann came in. “Hello Rose, was waiting for you at the event and you didn’t turn up as expected.” “Sorry to disappoint you. I didn’t feel up to it again. Infact, I think I want to stay off everyone for now.” Ann found a space on an empty chair and sat down but felt drawn to where Rose sat. She moved closer and lay hand on her shoulder. “Talk to me Rose. I know you to be a strong lady. What’s happening to you?” Rose bent her head, “I tell everyone to be strong but I am the weakest person on earth. I am no longer strong again.” “Really.” “Yes Ann. I tired to hide too many things from you all. I pretend all is well when it is not. I can’t cope anymore.” “Rose dear, each difficulty you overcome contributes to your inner strength. I know you will surely overcome this too. You need more immunity.” HOW TO BUILD INNER STRENGTH Building inner strength involves developing resilience, self-awareness, and a positive mindset. Here are some steps to help you build inner strength: Self-reflection: Take time to understand your values, strengths, and areas for growth. Self-awareness is the foundation of inner strength. Embrace challenges: See challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles. Each difficulty you overcome contributes to your inner strength. Positive self-talk: Replace negative thoughts with affirming and empowering statements. Be your supporter rather than your critic. Set and achieve small goals: Break down larger goals into manageable steps. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, to build confidence. Learn from failures: Instead of dwelling on mistakes, view them as valuable learning experiences. Extract lessons and use them to improve. Cultivate gratitude: Focus on the positive aspects of your life. Regularly express gratitude for the people and experiences that bring joy. Mindfulness: Practice being present in the moment. Mindfulness can enhance your ability to cope with stress and build emotional resilience. Healthy coping mechanisms: Develop constructive ways to manage stress, such as exercise, deep breathing, or engaging in activities you enjoy. Develop a support system: Surround yourself with positive, supportive individuals who encourage and uplift you during challenging times. Maintain a positive mindset: Cultivate optimism by looking for the good in situations. Shift your perspective from what’s lacking to what’s possible. In conclusion, Building inner strength is an ongoing process that requires commitment and self-compassion. It’s about fostering a resilient mindset that helps you navigate life’s ups and downs with grace and fortitude.

Be My Buddy! – 10 Helpful Steps to Life Reset

February 7, 2024 by Esther Adekoya

I want you to be my buddy for life reset

He sat down, then stood again and walked around for a while. Turned back to where he was coming from and stopped on the track with both arms around his waist. His face is the real display rack of a confused fellow. He threw all caution into the air and sat right back into the dust.

He has come to admit to himself that he’s actually at a serious crossroads in his life and escape seems difficult. He covered his face with both hands and shouted out in frustration. A passerby got distracted or rather attracted to the noise and sought him out.

“Young man, is everything alright?”

Silence

“Talk to me. Sharing your feelings is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. Moreover, a problem shared is 50% solved.”

That statement got to him, he looked up and took a deep breath. He felt in him that he could trust the stranger and talk to him.

“My life is disordered. A serious crossroad. I’m completely lost. I don’t know the way forward, I can’t go backward because that’s not the kind of life I desired and I don’t know how to get to the other side. I’m stuck.”

He smiled gently at him, “Thanks for sharing. Here take my hand,’ with his hand in his, he pulled the young guy up. “I’ll tell you all you need.”

Surprise creased his eyebrow, “Really?”

“Yeah!”

“All you need to do is reset your life to factory default.”

The guy shot a surprised glance at him. “I don’t get you?”

He responded with a smile but his expression suddenly turned serious, “Reset to a factory default is If you’re referring to resetting your life in a metaphorical sense. Go back to God. He owns the factory where He created you and He’s willing to reset your life to the original and true state.”

The young guy stared at him for a while in silence and same time reminisced on his words. Finally, he spoke out.

“Please be my buddy.”

“Yeah! I’m more than willing.”

Both held hands and he led the way telling him the right steps to take in resetting his life.

Helpful Steps to Life Reset

1. Reflection: Take time to reflect on your current situation and identify areas of dissatisfaction or areas where you want to make changes.

Consider your values, goals, and aspirations. What is truly important to you?

2. Set Clear Goals: Define clear and realistic goals for different aspects of your life (career, relationships, personal development, health, etc.).

Break down larger goals into smaller, more manageable tasks.

3. Create a Plan: Develop a step-by-step plan to achieve your goals. This might include acquiring new skills, seeking education or training, or making specific lifestyle changes.

4. Prioritize: Identify priorities and focus on the most important tasks first.

Learn to say no to activities or commitments that do not align with your goals.

5. Let Go of the Past: Acknowledge and accept past mistakes or setbacks. Use them as learning experiences rather than dwelling on them.

Forgive yourself and others to release any emotional baggage.

6. Develop Healthy Habits: Establish routines that contribute to your well-being, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep.

Incorporate mindfulness or meditation practices to reduce stress and increase self-awareness.

7. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences: Build a supportive network of friends and family who encourage your growth and share your values.

Minimize contact with people or situations that bring negativity into your life.

8. Continuous Learning: Stay curious and open-minded. Embrace opportunities to learn and grow.

Seek out new experiences and challenges to expand your perspective.

9. Seek Professional Help if Needed: If you’re struggling with significant issues, consider seeking the assistance of a therapist, counselor, or life coach.

10. Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements along the way, no matter how small. This helps to maintain motivation and a positive mindset.

Remember, the process of resetting your life is unique to you, and it’s okay to take it one step at a time. Be patient with yourself and allow for flexibility as you navigate through changes.

How To Be A Pollyanna

February 7, 2024 by Esther Adekoya

How To Be A Pollyanna

… A positive attitude that promotes wellness.

In our World today, filled with people with roller-coaster emotions because of so many societal ills and hiccups. Many experience mental ill health and mental disorders irrespective of their age, gender, social or economic status. HOW CAN WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND BE THE DIFFERENCE.

This brings us to a discovery “BE A POLLYANNA”

Who is a POLLYANNA?

A Pollyanna refers to a person who is excessively optimistic or always sees the positive side of situations, sometimes to the point of being overly idealistic or naive. A Pollyanna is someone who always maintain a cheerful outlook despite facing challenges.

The term originated from the title character in the novel “Pollyanna” by Eleanor H. P.

I strongly believe that a Pollyanna kind of attitude and personality can help us greatly overcome lots of negative ills and challenges facing us.

It’s a healthy attitude that combats negative thoughts and ills.

You can start by:

Gratitude: Focus on what you’re thankful for. Regularly expressing gratitude can shift your perspective.
Solution-Oriented Thinking: Instead of dwelling on problems, focus on finding solutions. This proactive approach can enhance optimism.
Surround Yourself Positively: Spend time with optimistic and supportive people. Their outlook can influence yours.
Learn from Challenges: View challenges as opportunities for growth. Each difficulty can teach valuable lessons.
Remember, it’s okay to acknowledge difficulties, but the goal is to approach them with a positive and constructive mindset.
Humor: Find humor in situations when appropriate. Laughter can be a powerful tool for shifting perspectives.

Hindrance to Becoming a Pollyanna

Certain factors can hinder one from adopting a Pollyanna-like attitude:

Realism vs. Optimism Balance: While optimism is beneficial, it’s crucial to maintain a realistic perspective. Overly idealistic views may lead to overlooking important challenges.
Ignoring Negative Emotions: Being overly positive shouldn’t mean suppressing or ignoring genuine negative emotions. It’s essential to acknowledge and address them.
Unrealistic Expectations: Setting unrealistically high expectations may lead to disappointment. It’s important to balance optimism with a practical understanding of what’s achievable.
External Factors: External circumstances, such as persistent challenges or negative environments, can make it challenging to maintain a Pollyanna-like outlook.
Ignoring Critical Feedback: Blindly dismissing constructive criticism can hinder personal growth. A Pollyanna attitude should include a willingness to learn and adapt.
Social Pressure: Feeling pressured to conform to a constantly positive image can be stressful. Authenticity is important, even if it involves acknowledging difficulties.

Remember, adopting a positive mindset doesn’t mean ignoring reality or suppressing genuine emotions. Balance and authenticity are key.

Benefits of Being a Pollyanna

Embracing a Pollyanna-like attitude can offer several benefits:

Improved Mental Health: Focusing on the positive can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, contributing to better mental well-being.
Enhanced Resilience: Optimistic individuals often bounce back more quickly from setbacks and are better equipped to handle challenges.
Increased Motivation: A positive outlook can provide motivation and enthusiasm, making it easier to pursue goals and overcome obstacles.
Better Physical Health: Optimistic individuals may experience health benefits, as a positive mindset is associated with lower levels of stress hormones and improved immune function.
Longevity: Some studies suggest that optimistic individuals may live longer, possibly due to the positive impact on health behaviors and stress management.
Creativity and Problem-Solving: A positive mindset can enhance creativity and improve problem-solving skills, as it encourages a more open and flexible approach to challenges.
Emotional Intelligence: Optimistic individuals often exhibit higher emotional intelligence, allowing them to navigate social situations with empathy and understanding.

In conclusion, it is worthwhile to know and note that a Pollyanna is an optimist and realist as well.

10 Healthy Steps to Defeat Negativity

February 7, 2024 by Esther Adekoya

Healthy Steps to Defeat Negativity

Would you like to be able to deal with the ups and downs of life with strength and grace?

Becoming mentally and emotionally strong isn’t something that happens overnight. If you can start seeing every curveball life throws as a chance to practice being stronger, you’ll begin accruing wisdom and clarity that you can put to the test when things get hard.

Negativity can come at you in different ways: it can be from within, in the form of negative thoughts and harmful self-talk, or from the outside, as negative feedback, business reports, economic downturn, or abuse from other people. While it is beyond a person’s control to ever fully remove negativity from her life, there are ways to manage it.

Healthy Cues to Build Your Inner Strength

Self-awareness: Calm down and take time to notice or capture the streams of thoughts that run in your mind and the myriads of emotions they give birth. As soon as you understand your thoughts and emotions, it will help you recognize negative patterns and what triggers them.
Positive mindset: Intentionally cultivate optimism which brings hopefulness and confidence about the future and have an attitude of gratitude, which would influence good thoughts. Focus on what you can control and find the silver lining in challenging situations.
Healthy boundaries: Negativity can be contagious, so keeping as much distance as possible from negative coworkers and acquaintances can influence your own mood.
Set clear boundaries to protect yourself from negativity coming from outside like negative feedback, and abuse from people. Learn to say no when necessary. Surround yourself with positivity: Build a supportive network of friends and family. Spend time with people who uplift and inspire you.
Mindfulness and meditation: Practice being present in the moment is a gainful self-resource but it involves self-discipline. It distracts your wandering mind and liberates you from the prison of the mind. Mindfulness can help you manage stress and detach from negative thought patterns. Do yourself a favor by prospering your mind with spiritual and healthy thoughts like things that are true, pure, lovely, or of good report and praiseworthy. Don’t allow negativity to steal your positive vibes.
Self-care: Self-care is certainly not selfish. Be kind to yourself and prioritize your well-being. Take time for activities you enjoy, get enough sleep, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This will help you to rebound and regain lost ground.
Learn from challenges: View setbacks as opportunities for growth. Focus on solutions rather than dwelling on problems. Each difficulty encountered do come with valuable lessons that make you a better person.
Gratitude practice: Regularly acknowledge and appreciate the positive aspects of your life. This can shift your focus away from negativity. Thank God for things that work in your life and place your praise on things you trust God to do for you. Gratitude is the best attitude.
Positive affirmations: Replace negative self-talk with affirming statements. Repeat affirmations that promote confidence and resilience. Use your mouth to say good and great things concerning your destinies. Never let go of hope.
Seek professional help if needed: If negativity becomes overwhelming, consider consulting with a mental health professional for guidance and support. Call for assistance. It is never a sign of weakness to ask for help. Share with a significant individual and you’ll be glad you did.

Remember, building mental strength is a gradual process, and consistency in these practices is key.