Advice on self-reflection and self-awareness
We all have patterns of behavior that have become embedded in our day to day lives. Some of these patterns are beneficial, like brushing your teeth or drinking plenty of water (if you are not doing this… how dare you?! ;). Some patterns of thinking and behavior, however, are not serving us anymore and need to be rethought or abandoned completely.
Some people love learning ways in which they can improve their lives and are super capable of dropping old habits and picking up new healthier ones. Most of us, though, struggle and have a hard time letting go of old habits. We tend to stick with ways of being out of the inertia of our lives and also because we may have become unaware of how our behaviors or patterns are affecting our health and happiness.
We tend to let our egos get in the way and hesitate to take criticism from other people and constructively adjust our lives. Happy and healthy people tend to handle criticism well and are able to take the good and try it out.
When clients tell me something that they do and seem to be spiraling about a certain situation or behavior, I like to ask “How’s that working out for you?”
I do not say it to be a cheeky brat, but instead to jumpstart the conversation into reflection. You have lived these patterns and have essentially experimented with them. Are they working? Are you where you are because of them? Would adjusting them hurt anything? Are you willing to try an experiment and see if practicing something new will make a difference?
We are who we are and where we are because of what we have experienced and been through. Even after the greatest of tribulations and trials, most people are grateful for the tough lessons they have learned and the places they have ended up.
It is also way easier to see how other people can improve their lives versus how we can improve our own. Keep that in mind. Feedback from others can often help us to see something in our life another way or from another perspective. Being able to see ourselves through other people’s lenses is a gift and can bless us with the opportunity to change and grow.
So the next time you feel yourself getting frustrated or stuck with something in your life, especially when tied to a pattern or behavior, ask yourself “how it has been working for you.” One honest and raw conversation with yourself can alter the trajectory of your health and happiness in amazing ways. You are the captain of your life and just like the captain of a ship, you will need to make several small decisions and changes when charting your course throughout this life. Keep changing, growing, and trying new things!
If you would like to hear the phrase “Now how’s that working out for you?” from Julie, then during your next session kindly reject anything that sounds remotely healthy or good for you. Her face will turn a lovely beet red and you will quickly see her depth of patience and self-preservation as she backs away from the conversation, I kid, I kid. In all reality though, Julie would love to help your mind and body feel clear and healthy. Consider bringing it up in your next session with her at Posture Massage!
