Big Idea #1: Getting Through Low Points

Here’s the thing: low points are going to happen. If we don’t feel happy or bouncy all the time, guess what? We’re human! We need to give ourselves the permission to be human, which means experiencing the full (beautiful!) range of emotions. News flash: the only people who don’t experience emotional fluctuation are either psychopaths or dead.

Going through life trying not to experience depression or sadness is totally pointless. It’s the gift of being human that we are able to open up emotionally and feel the full spectrum of emotions in our lives.

This doesn’t mean, however, that we have to be powerless to our emotions.

We can always ask ourselves, “How can I choose the most empowered response to this situation?”

If we start feeling triggered by a situation and experiencing emotions like sadness or depression, we can ask ourselves the following questions to feel more empowered:

• What was it about this situation that triggered me?
• Where else in my life have I been triggered this previously?
• What has been my pattern of responding to this type of trigger up until now?

Asking yourself these questions can help you reduce the time it takes to lift yourself out of negativity. But remember not to judge yourself for feeling these emotions in the first place. They are part of what makes you a complete human being!

Big Idea #2: How to Deal When We Really Want Something

Sometimes when we want something so fiercely, it can be difficult to deal with the possibility of disappointment if it doesn’t work out. As a result, we often emotionally and mentally prepare ourselves to fail. This is a psychological defense mechanism to protect ourselves and prepare for a negative outcome. If we imagine the worst coming true, then we feel more prepared for it. While this can feel comforting and reassuring, it isn’t the most constructive way to plan for various outcomes.

Instead, ask yourself:

“If this weren’t to work out the way that I wanted, what would be my next step forward to getting what I want?”

This is a much more constructive and empowering way to think about something not working out.

Gratitude can also be an antidote to this way of thinking. Just saying “thank you for this moment” can help interrupt the thoughts which imagine failure or negative outcomes.

Of course, it feels thrilling and exciting to visualize and imagine that you DO get what you want! If you can visualize and project yourself into feeling how it feels to achieve your goal, you’ll put yourself into a positive mindset.

And oftentimes when we want something, we think it’s the thing that’s going to make us happy. But really, we need to look at the deeper reasons behind our desire for that thing. For example, if we think we really want a car, we might really crave the freedom or connection that particular material object might make possible. It’s not a thing we really want, it’s the feeling! So to reduce the attachment for particular desires, look at what’s behind those and see if you can achieve those feelings in a different way.

Big Idea #3: Dealing with Criticism

Like it or not, haters will happen. When we’re putting our message out there, there are going to be people who criticize us, often publicly these days online. When people criticize us, it can be an extremely emotional and triggering experience.

But rather than falling into the emotions brought up by the trigger, try remaining conscious and look more closely at the situation. What part of that criticism is triggering you?

Try a bit of “shadow” work. This simply means reaching a more enlightened state by examining and falling in love with our shadow, or the dark and ugly parts of ourselves that we wouldn’t necessarily show to others.

Look at the criticism you receive and ask yourself, “What if this was actually true about me? Could I still love myself?” If the answer is “yes,” then you may find the fear of criticism drift away. And if the answer is “no,” then this is the area to work on.

Use Love

We can use love to combat the negative emotions brought up by criticism. Take a few deep breaths and visualize yourself radiating love from the center of your chest, directly into the person or thing that’s bothering you in this moment. Love that person or thing more. This will help you escape the maze of overthinking and negative emotions that come from reacting to a triggering event.

HW + Action Steps!

As always, we’d love for you to share your personal favorite takeaways in the private Facebook group.